The Senators enter the Christmas break with a game against the Florida Panthers, a team that is on a hot streak that has vaulted them over the Senators and into the first wild card playoff spot.
These teams met in Florida less than 2 weeks ago on the last Senators extended road trip, and the Senators got away with a 4-2 win. Since that game Florida is 5-1 and have won their last 4 contests. Meanwhile Ottawa has struggled to a 2-4 record since winning that game, hence the Panthers erasing the 5 point gap that Dec 8th win gave the Sens.
Mark Stone had 3 assists in that game to lead the way and get himself back to a point per game pace, but since then he has just two assists and has been visibly frustrated almost every time a scoring chance of his is turned away. He looks like the classic example of someone who is gripping his stick too tight and letting each missed opportunity build. If there is anyone who needs a goal to go in right now it is the streaky Stone, whose goal-scoring drought has now reached 8 games.
Injuries sustained in Sunday's loss to the Lightning are a bit of a concern, as both Bobby Ryan and Cody Ceci will be game day decisions. Ryan Dzingel was called up from Binghamton and will make his NHL debut if Ryan cannot go, while Jared Cowen will get yet another chance if Ceci is unable to take the ice tonight. The good news is that if the Senators can get through tonight, they have 4 days off before opening a big home and home series with the Bruins.
Craig Anderson will get the start after yielding the crease to Andrew Hammond. Anderson has gotten more than his fair share of rest since Hammond has come back and should be completely refreshed playing against one of his former teams and in the place where he spends his summers.
The Senators didn't skate yesterday, giving a day off to some of the players who had to put in extra time Sunday with the injuries and the early ejection of Mark Borowiecki limiting the number of skaters available to Dave Cameron.
For the Panthers, Reilly Smith scored his 7th goal of the season in that game against the Senators, starting a hot streak that now sees him with a team leading 11. Brandon Pirri has contributed 7 points in the Panthers' last 7 games to set the pace during the hot streak.
As close as these two teams are in the standings, and as close as many of the stats (special teams, faceoffs etc) are you can expect a pretty close game. The Panthers are feeling good and on a roll while the Senators are clamoring to get to the mini-break intact and need something good to happen. A win or loss isn't going to make or break the Senators' season by any means, but a win will certainly make for a more enjoyable holiday and ensure that they are holding a playoff spot when Santa Claus comes to town.