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A tough stretch of losses hasn't defeated the Ottawa Senators morale in the slightest, but they're going to need to clean up their game in a hurry in preparation for a six-game gauntlet that begins tonight at Scotiabank Place.
Dating back to December 1st, the Ottawa Senators are just 1-3-1, yet have been in legitimate position to win all five of the games. Such losing streaks are unavoidable thanks to the parity in today's NHL, but good teams are able to rebound from adversity. Unfortunately, the schedule makers weren't kind to Ottawa on their mid-December homestand, and starting tonight with the Vancouver Canucks, they'll be tested game-in and game-out against some of the best in the business.
Thankfully, the Ottawa Senators will receive some help on the injury front for tonight's game. Both Peter Regin and Matt Carkner will make their return to the lineups tonight, with Regin skating on the second line alongside Nick Foligno and Daniel Alfredsson, and Matt Carkner paired up with the young Swede David Rundblad.
Carkner's return has to be well-received by the coaching staff, especially with both Sergei Gonchar(day-to-day) and Filip Kuba(three/four weeks) out for tonight's action. The ranks have suddenly thinned once again on the blue line.
Before you ask - Nikita Filatov is a healthy scratch, joined by Zenon Konopka.
Vancouver's going to get some help, too, with Long Island native Chris Higgins penciled into tonight's lineup. Many expected him to miss the Saturday affair, but it appears he's ready to go.
Between the net, it looks like Roberto Luongo for the Vancouver Canucks, and Craig Anderson for the Ottawa Senators. Luongo's numbers are climbing after a slow start, with a 10-6-1 record, .897 save percentage, and 2.82 GAA. Anderson's numbers: 12-9-2 record, .897 save percentage, and a 3.39 GAA.
Puck drops at 7:00 PM ET on CBC.
Vancouver Canucks - unconfirmed
Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Higgins-Kesler-Hansen
Raymond-Hodgson-Malhotra
Sweatt-Lapierre-Weise
Hamhuis-Bieksa
Edler-Salo
Ballard-Rome
Ottawa Senators - unconfirmed
Quick note: Lines were scrambled in morning skate. Below, my best guess:
Michalek-Spezza-Butler
Foligno-Regin-Alfredsson
Daugavins-Smith-Condra
Greening-Winchester-Neil
Cowen-Karlsson
Phillips-Lee
Rundblad-Carkner
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