First and foremost, the Ottawa Senators will be looking to add another 2 points in the standings as they host the rival Montreal Canadiens. Secondly, they will be looking to put together a better performance without the defensive breakdowns that were displayed in the Auston Matthew's 4 goal effort on Wednesday night against the Maple Leafs. The Senators won that game in overtime, but there were lots of teaching points for Guy Boucher.
The Canadiens come in without their biggest star, as Carey Price has been sidelined, and actually placed on IR, with the flu or other virus-like symptoms depending on the source you listen to.
With Price remaining back home in Montreal, Al Montoya will get the start for the Habs, coming off a win against the Sabres on Thursday night. The Senators have beat Montoya the last two times they have faced him (when he was with the Florida Panthers), but Senators fans might remember him best from the Hockey Day In Canada 33 save shutout he put up against them back in February 2013 while he was toiling for the Winnipeg Jets. Montoya allowed just one goal on 31 shots in his Montreal debut.
Craig Anderson was beaten by just one player on Wednesday in facing 38 shots, but that player was Auston Matthews who ended up beating him for 4 goals. Hopefully he gets more help in terms of reduced shots, but he has to be better as well if the Senators are going to be successful. It is only one game and you can't read too much into it, but goaltending is a concern of mine heading into the season and there was little done to allay those concerns in the first game.
Unfortunately, the lineup changes I expected after the win over the Leafs will not come to fruition. Guy Boucher said there won't be any lineup changes and Thomas Chabot will remain in the press box. He will make his debut either Monday in Detroit or Tuesday back at home against the Coyotes.
The Senators hope to get continued production from their top players, as Erik Karlsson (3), Kyle Turris, Mark Stone, Bobby Ryan and Derick Brassard all had multi-point games against the Leafs.
The game is on CityTV, puck drop shortly after 7 PM.