Game Day Notes: Sens @ Panthers

It's a 5 p.m. start in Sunrise and here's everything we know about the Sens line-up against the Florida Panthers.

Up Front

The Sens' offence has been clicking this season and they currently sit second in the NHL in goals for/game with an average of 3.59. They also lead the entire league in goals this month with 25 so it's no surprise that Sens head coach Guy Boucher isn't messing around with the forward combos this evening, specifically the line of Brady Tkachuk, Colin White and Mark Stone who combined for 5 points (3G, 2A) in yesterday's 6-4 win against the Lightning.

"I'm planning on keeping that line together because I thought they played terrific," Boucher said. "Same with Boedker-Tierney-Bobby and keeping Duchene and Dzingel together. I actually liked our 4th line a lot with Paajarvi, Pyatt and McCormick so Paul will play with Duchene and Dzingel."
Nick Paul has skated on a line with Duchene and Dzingel in practice recently but he was scratched following the warm-up yesterday in Tampa Bay so it will be interesting to see how the 23-year-old fits in with the duo.
Here's a look at the projected forward lines today:
Dzingel - Duchene - Paul
Tkachuk - White - Stone
Boedker - Tierney - Ryan
McCormick - Pyatt - Paajarvi

On Defence

One small change on the blueline today and that's an injury to Chris Wideman that will force him out of the line-up against the Panthers.
"He has a little nagging lower body injury," said Boucher. "He's been dealing with it for a little while and it's just growing a little bit. He should be fine if we give him a little break."

The Sens have been rotating between using 6 and 7 defencemen this season so it will put a little more pressure on some of their younger defenders today as they deal with potentially tougher assignments on the road.
Here's how the defence pairings should look against Florida:
Chabot - DeMelo
Lajoie - Ceci
Borowiecki - Jaros

Injury Updates

Speaking of Wideman's issue, the coach also shared some super positive injury updates today after a report this morning from Ottawa that Jean-Gabriel Pageau joined other injured Senators Zack Smith and Ben Harpur on the ice for the first time since his achilles injury in training camp.
"I know Smith is doing terrific and we're looking at him to maybe play this week," said the coach. "Harpur was on the ice too and of course Pageau being on the ice for the first time is great. It's all positive for us. We're a ways away but if the first step is earlier than later than that's give for us all."

Pageau's initial timeline to return was set at a minimum of 6 months so it's unsure to tell what this latest development means. Boucher did pass along the team's surprise at the speed of his recovery but that his road to getting back into the line-up is still a long one.
"He's surprised everyone including the doctors and medical staff with how fast it's going," said Boucher. "Everybody is really ecstatic about that. Now to predict when he's coming back...that's really tough. Getting on the ice, being in shape and actually playing is one thing so he's a long ways away. It's the first step and it's much earlier than we thought so it's good."

In Goal

The coach also confirmed today that Mike McKenna (0-0-0) is set to make his first start for the Senators. McKenna has had to wait a little bit to make his Sens starting debut since being recalled from Belleville on November 1st but has made two previous appearances for Ottawa this season in relief of Craig Anderson.
"I'm excited about every hockey game I get to play so a chance to do it at the NHL level is another step," McKenna said earlier this month. "At this point I think I've been through just about every scenario so it's not any different for me. I've always tried to approach the game the same way whether I'm starting or backing up."

McKenna has 26 NHL games under his belt split between stints with Tampa Bay, New Jersey, Columbs, Arizona and now Ottawa.

Where to Watch

Puck drop is set for a little after 5 p.m. in Sunrise and if you're in need of a spot to catch the game, then look no further. Be sure to hit up the Kelsey's in Kanata because they'll be serving up 23oz Kicked Up Molson Canadian Draft for just $8.18 + tax during the game.
You can also catch all the action live on TSN5 and TVAS along with on the radio with Dean Brown and Gord Wilson on TSN 1200.