The resurgent Washington Capitals pay a visit to Canadian Tire Centre for the first time this season, and they come in sitting in a wild card spot but still within striking distance of not only securing a divisional spot but sit only 4 points behind division leading Pittsburgh.
Barry Trotz has answered a lot of questions about what he could do with a team that had some offensive potential, as he has the Capitals scoring more and giving up less than they did last season.
The biggest factor in the turnaround might be the play of Alex Ovechkin. The Caps Captain seems to have bought into the system and while his offensive production is pretty much on par to what it was last season, his +/- has gone from a -35 where he finished last season to the +12 he currently sits at for this campaign.
Mike Green has also had a bounce-back year, very timely for the pending UFA, and Nicklas Backstrom actually leads the team in scoring (15 points in his last 12 games) and Braden Holtby is putting up very solid numbers.
For the Senators, they need to put forth more energy and effort than they did in their 2-1 loss to the Devils on Tuesday, and put on a better show in front of their home town fans. I think the fan base can accept losing at this point as long as they demonstrate that they are giving it their all and working things out. That wasn't evident in New Jersey.
Robin Lehner will get his 4th straight start post-All-Star game as he looks to right the ship. He hasn't been bad in this stretch, but hasn't been great either. This is a trend that has dogged him in his career so far in that he hasn't been able to take advantage of opportunities when they have presented themselves.
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It will be a big night for the Senators as Daniel Alfredsson will be at the game to help pass the torch to the new franchise games played leader. Chris Phillips, after sitting out as a healthy scratch in Newark, will break the current tie tonight. Other former teammates will be in town as well, including Wade Redden.
Yes, Phillips has slowed down measurably in the past couple of years, but is still a veteran presence who can fill a 5/6 role and this is a testament to his longevity and dedication to this team and community.
Good luck in game 1,179. Phillips has a history of having big moments in big games (although sometimes not to the Senators' advantage), like the pair he scored in his 1,000th game, so look for something big to happen for the Big Rig tonight.
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Apparently Chris Neil is one of the more sought after players around the league, and judging from the comments on this space throughout most of the season a large percentage of you would welcome that deletion from the lineup.
Sure, Neil isn't as effective as he once was, but in a 4th line role he gives the team something that many of you also complain is lacking - a physical presence. Should Neil get dealt, and apparently there is more than half a dozen teams that have inquired about his availablilty, the already soft forward unit will become even more marshmallow-y. Neil leads the forwards in hits with 120 in just 33 games, and the next "most physical" forward is Mika Zibanejad (89 in 47 games) followed by Curtis Lazar (75 in 35 GP). Also, I know fighting is down and becoming a thing of the past, but having a defenseman (Mark Borowiecki) be you main source of pugilism isn't the best idea going.
I am not saying I wouldn't trade Neil to get out from the final year of that contract, but he will be missed when (and if) he is gone.