Senators vs. Panthers: Steve On Sens Preview

  Well it's been a while since my last game preview and boy has a lot changed! Back then the Sens were teetering on the brink of playoffs or failure, lines were poorly made and I only had 1 goal in House B hockey. (In all honesty, not much has changed although I now have 3 goals in House B Hockey.) After a huge win against St. Louis, the Sens lost in a dissapointing manner to the New Jersey Devils. After the game, the Senators had a long meeting/ practice flash mob which at its peak featured Bryan Murray brake dancing to C.R.E.A.M by Wu-Tang Clan. If that doesn't provide a spark for the struggling team then we'll be forced to move on to Plan D which involves signing the player with the best advanced stats on #TeamMullet from tomorrow's Sens Blogger Classic. Too bad I'm not draft eligible yet. Connor McDavid watch out.

  The Sens are squaring off against the Florida Panthers  who have won 4 in a row and are only 3 points behind Ottawa for the prestigious 3rd from last position. The huge crowd of sub 16,000 in Sunrise, Florida Kanata, Ontario will provide the energy that the home team desperately needs during the final stretch before Christmas. Michael Del Zotto makes his Senators debut tonight...wait...I am just receiving news that this trade still hasn't happened due to Glen Sather being insistent that Colin Greening for Del Zotto is not actually a good trade. Let's take a look at the Starting Goalies.

Not very relevant picture of Scott Clemmensen. Thought it looked cool. 

He starts in goal for the Panthers tonight.

Starting Goaltenders

Ottawa: Craig Anderson (9-8-3, 3.36 GAA, .898 SV%)
Florida: Scott Clemmensen (3-2-1, 2.69 GAA, .894 SV%)


Craig Anderson is looking to capitalize on the failure of Robin Lehner in last night's 5-2 loss to New Jersey. Anderson is playing his former team in what has become a routine start for the veteran net minder. "We all know that The Lehner is much better than Andy" Lehner was quoted saying before playing darts with his skates. Anderson was happy with the opportunity to start saying "I am happy with the opportunity to start". 

Career backup (except with the Leafs in 07/08) Scott Clemmensen makes his seventh start of the season as he faces off against bitter division rival Ottawa tonight. Clemmensen has a solid record with a save percentage just below Anderson so I guess we know who's scoring first tonight! (still probably Florida).

Keys To The Game

Ottawa

• Quick start - Score 5 to 8 goals early to guarantee lead after the first period.
• Cure the flu
• Less mob, more flash

Florida

• Move the puck to open up Ottawa defence.
• Filip Kuba
• Corsi, Corsi, Corsi! (somehow this is a key to the game)

Steve's Picks

• Final score of 4-1 for Ottawa
• Denis showing shooting lanes (this is a given)
• Dean saying that the Sens have the flu.
• Sportsnet panel consisting of Nick Kypreos yelling nonsensical statements
• Corvo scores

I'll be watching the full game for the first time in weeks so expect huge things from Steve On Sens.

Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!