There is not much better than a Home/Home between two teams in Canada who are battling for first place in the division. Especially when those teams are Montreal and Ottawa. It doesn't get much better! I know the Sens have been around a long time now, and there was an Ottawa Senators in ancient times, but it's easy to forget that before these Senators existed most of the folks in Ottawa were staunch Montreal Canadien fans.. (some were Leafs, but at least my among my friends in Ottawa...they were all Habs all the time!)
These teams have arrived at this critical spot of the season in very different ways.
The Habs always have the pressure on and are always expected to win. They have the best goalie in the world of course and got off to another torrid start this season.. Despite being in first place they made a coaching change. How many teams would do such a thing and be universally praised for the decision. The Canadiens are supposed to be here. Supposed to be battling for the top.
The Senators were picked by many to not make the playoffs..(not me, who had them in third, but who is counting:) and yet here they are. Riding a great new coach and some phenomenal and underrated young players, a stellar D man and getting goaltending beyond expectations..And the Senators find themselves battling for top spot despite so many injuries..It's impressive.
When these teams have played over the past few years the Senators have had success. That is why our computer is projecting them to win tonight and the division, however if Montreal wins even one of these two games the path the division top becomes Montreal's to lose based on schedules... So it's all out there..
Who do you think wins this division? (hit refresh if poll doesn't appear right away)
Projected Standings and Picks for tonight...
Yes, our computer has struggled as of late and to be fair we have seen some pretty crazy results this past week! But I am feeling it tonight...a big recovery! Bet the house...actuallly really DON'T bet the house..
SJ OTW over ANA STL ROW over AZ NASH OTW over CAR NYI ROW over CBJ COL ROW over DET OTT ROW over MTL MIN OTW over NYR WASH ROW over TAM EDM OTW over VAN CHI ROW over TOR
and here are your new standings