-Ottawa faces Buffalo (5-7-1); the Sabres are lead by NHL scoring leader Thomas Vanek (23 points) and backstopped by Ryan Miller (5-5-1 2.98 .913). Craig Anderson is expected to start; the only other change to the lineup is that Jim O’Brien slides in due to the injury to Peter Regin.
–Paul MacLean talked about the production of his top players:
[Michalek] works so hard without the puck and with the puck that I think at some point in time he’s going to score. We’re not concerned. Yeah, we’re like everybody, we’d like to see him get two or three last week and this week, but I think he’s such a diligent player and conscientious player, that the puck is going to go in the net for him if he keeps working at it. Same with (Kyle) Turris. You can’t try to be something you’re not. The more you try to force things, the worse things usually get. So you if you just go out and allow for the structure of the team, and work hard at it, then their skill is eventually go to be there where they can find an opportunity.
–Patrick Wiercioch talked about defending in the NHL:
I know it’s tough to defend, especially in the game up here. It’s so sound technically, with the systems, everyone has kind of got a guy. Any time you see a guy maybe breaking through or has that split second of opportunity, you try to give him the puck so he can do something with it. If it’s there I’ll go for it, doesn’t matter who it is. It’s more just the amount of time. I think a half second in this league is so crucial. If you’ve got a half second, even going back to the puck and turning out with the puck out of the corner, it opens up so much more opportunity. So even moving it up that much quicker to them hopefully gives them a chance to either make a play or keep going with it.
–Scott looks at Senators scoring chances at the quarter pole (12 games in this shortened season) which for Corsi fans is a treat.
–Mark Zwolinski thinks the Sens will trade to fill in for the injured Jason Spezza, but I have a hard time believing it. There’s no real market of top centers and those available are on expiring contracts–the Sens would have to pay a hefty price for a rental and I just don’t see the point. Ottawa is not a Stanley Cup contender so there’s no need to give up prospects to try and make the dance.
-Binghamton faces Wilkes-Barre (25-19-3); the Penguins are lead by Chad Kolarik (39 points) and backstopped by Jeff Zatkoff (16-12-0 1.96 .920).
This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)
eyeonthesens 