A day after Eugene Melnyk sent out an open letter to Senators fans about his commitment to the team and the city, the Ottawa Senators continue their road trip by going out west for their first ever stop in Nevada to face the Golden Knights.
They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, and that has been the case for points this season as the Golden Knights have one of the best home records in the league, and the most wins at home, posting a 24-6-2 record at T-Mobile Arena.
Vegas continues to be THE story of the NHL this season, and they are running away with the Pacific Division in its first year of existence, something that you would have made a mint on if you had placed that wager at one of the casinos on the strip. They have been hit with the injury bug, with Jame Neal, Oscar Lindberg, Luca Sbisa and Nate Schmidt all missing the last game or being nicked up since then and their status is questionable for tonight. They join Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Clayton Stoner and Malcolm Subban who were already on the DL.
The Senators are the worst road team in the league, with just 7 wins away from home, one of 3 teams (Arizona and Montreal being the others) to be in single digits at this point of the season.
They haven't won a road game in regulation since January 10th, and the have just one OT win in Philadelphia to show for their last 9 games away from CTC.
They are also riding a 5 game losing streak (0-4-1), and will likely have some lineup changes. Marian Gaborik is expected to miss the game, meaning the returning-from-suspension Alex Burrows will likely draw in. Mark Borowiecki left Tuesdays game with a sore neck, and is questionable to go in the first half of this back to back. They will play the Coyotes in Arizona on Saturday night. If Borowiecki can't go, Erik Burgdoerfer will draw in for what would be his second game of the season.
It hasn't been confirned yet but I would expect Craig Anderson between the pipes tonight, with Mike Condon starting tomorrow in Glendale.
Some good news yesterday as defenseman Chris Wideman, whose recent appearances include a guest spot in the broadcast booth and an outdoor rink invitation, practiced in Belleville with the AHL Senators and he could actually get back into the lineup before the season ends, which would be ahead of schedule in his recover from the torn hamstring that has kept him out since Evgeni Malkin fell awkwardly on him November 17th.
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As for Melnyk's open letter, I don't think it came with the sincerity or welcome-ness of the similar letter a couple of weeks ago sent out by the New York Rangers. This one seems reactive rather than proactive, much like the way the organization has been run of late. I think Melnyk said the right things, but at this point in the fractured relationship between the fans in the city and the ownership/management, it will be a wait and see approach, and actions will speak much louder than words in the next six months.