The Ottawa Senators host the NY Islanders tonight at 5:30pm at the Canadian Center but they'll be without two of their defensemen in Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub. Both are expected to miss the Sens three game mini homestand this week due to injury. Much to the surprise of Sens fans and media, Jacob Larsson was recalled yesterday from Belleville and not Dillon Heatherington. The reason being is that B-Sens head coach Troy Mann has said on numerous occasions that Heatherington and JBD have been their best defensemen this season.

With the Islanders playing a heavy brand of hockey, many thought a physical presence on the blueline would help clear the front of the net and provide a little fear into the opposition when they cross the blue line. Sure Larsson has more NHL experience but in today's NHL, it's all about matchups and this call-up clearly doesn't address what Ottawa needs tonight. Let's not forget, the Islanders have what they call the NHL's best 4th line as they like to get in on the forecheck hard which is something Heatherington would've excelled with, especially with Ottawa having last line change this would've led to better matchups. Larsson is a -10 in Belleville while Heatherington is a +1 facing the best lines each night.

It will be interesting to see how different players respond to the increased ice time tonight.
The blue line pairings from practice yesterday are as follows -

Sanderson-Hamonic
Bernard-Docker-Brannstrom
Holden-Larsson

Now onto the focus of what should be a great night in Toronto for Daniel Alfredsson. I truly hope many fans show up at the CTC tonight to show their appreciation for everything he did for the Sens franchise. It'll be great to see fans stay after the conclusion of the game to watch Alfie's HOF speech on the jumbotron.

I'm hoping Sens fans re-start the Alfie chants from the past at the 11:11 mark of each period tonight! Let's spread the word and get it trending. I will be doing so this afternoon on Twitter.
Enjoy the game tonight Sens fans, but enjoy the party afterward at the CTC for Ottawa's most beloved hockey figure Daniel Alfredsson.

Comments/thoughts or Sens memories that each of you have of Alfredsson.
Thanks for reading.

Kevin

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