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Gameday: Ottawa Looks to Stay Hot at Rogers Arena

November 20, 2011, 4:38 PM ET [ Comments]
Travis Yost
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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With an extra day off, the Ottawa Senators are hoping a little additional preparation can go a long way when they battle the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Sunday night.

It's almost impossible to argue that there's been a more streaky team than the Ottawa Senators, who have really played to their strengths and weaknesses through the first twenty games. During their winning stretches, they look the part of a club hell bent on making the post-season after a year hiatus. During their losing stretches? Well, it's been ugly.

Unfortunately for Vancouver, Ottawa's - again - on an upswing, winners of three straight as they head the way of Rogers Arena. Ottawa's already knocked off three Canadian teams in succession, all starting with an impressive 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. After beating their rival, the Senators took care of the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers in succession, all in a valiant effort to substantiate their 10-9-1 record.

Over the past three games, Ottawa's out-scored their opposition by a total score of 13-5, and have really played the perfect road-game in each. Withstand the early pressure, battle five-on-five, and play to your strengths - that is, burn teams every time they send you to the power play.

Even though optimism might be running high, Ottawa knows full well just how daunting the task is against Vancouver on Sunday night. The Canucks have had a mixed bag of success to start the year, but remain one of the tougher teams to beat when they're on home ice. Leading the way for Vancouver is Daniel Sedin(6G/17A in 19 GP), but Henrik Sedin(6G/15A in 19 GP) and Alex Edler(3G/13A in 19GP) have been just as impressive.

And, although Vancouver's 9-9-1 to start the year, their offense hasn't been an issue in the slightest. Right now, they're fifth in the NHL in scoring, and boast one of the two power plays in the National Hockey League currently better than Ottawa at 26.7%.

The issue with Vancouver has been keeping pucks out of their net. The enigmatic Roberto Luongo has been spotty to start the year, and it's hard to dispute Cory Schneider playing the better hockey to start the year. Schneider will get the start against Ottawa tonight(2-4-0, .904 save pct., 2.76 GAA), opposing Ottawa's Craig Anderson(9-6-1, .895 save pct., 3.25 GAA).

No lineup changes are expected for the Ottawa Senators tonight, as Paul MacLean continues to ride the hot hands. Vancouver will certainly be without Keith Ballard, and the talented Alexander Edler is a game time decision. Should Edler miss tonight's action, expect Alex Sulzer to draw in.

Puck drops at 9:00 PM ET on SNET.

Ottawa Senators
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Foligno-DaCosta-Alfredsson
Daugavins-Smith-Condra
Konopka-Winchester-Butler

Kuba-Karlsson
Phillips-Gonchar
Cowen-Lee

Vancouver Canucks
Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Hansen
Higgins-Kesler-Burrows
Booth-Lapierre-Hodgson
Volpatti-Malhotra-Weise

Hamhuis-Bieksa
Edler-Salo
Rome-Alberts
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