Senators at Hurricanes: Steve On Sens Preview

The Ottawa Senators look to stay inconsistent tonight as they face the Carolina Hurricanes in what seems to be their 17th weekend afternoon game this year. Ottawa makes its first stop in Carolina in a building where they have been 1-9-0 in their last 10 visits. One storyline that seems to dominate the news today is the return of Joe Corvo to Carolina. How will the fans react to such a legend leaving a place that he has called home on 12 different occasions? Will they pay tribute by chanting "Corvo, Corvo, Corvo" at the 7 minute mark of every period? I don't know. We'll let the overwhelming crowd of 13,000 fans decide! Let's look at the Starting Goaltenders! This time brought to you by Keshia Chanté's album "Night & Day"!

Getting a tattoo in the early 2000s would really suck.

Starting Goaltenders

Ottawa: Craig Anderson (5-7-2, 3.31 GAA, .900 SV%) Robin Lehner (4-3-2, 2.33 GAA, 0.940 SV%)
Carolina: Cam Ward (2-3-4, 2.85 GAA, .912 SV%)

Craig Anderson faces a daunting task after Robin Lehner had quite the game last night against Detroit (or so I hear. I was at a work Christmas party). It is no secret that Robin Lehner has played significantly better this year, but Paul MacLean continues to have faith in Anderson. It seems that every time Lehner bails the team out, he is then banished to wearing the #93 hat on the bench. EDIT: I have been notified on Twitter that Lehner is starting. He'll make 57 saves and rip Jiri Tlusty's heart out.

Cam Ward's stats this year have been sub par. This really shouldn't worry anyone though as Carolina is in Year 2 of a constant 3 year cycle where they are awful for 2 years and then make the Conference Final in the 3rd year. Ever since 2006 when Ward stepped in for an injured Martin Gerber, he has been the undisputed Number 1 in Carolina. 

SIDE NOTE: If anyone has a Sens Gerber jersey, please contact me stephenrhickson at gmail dot com

Keys To The Game

Ottawa

• See if Jim Rutherford would like Joe Corvo back mid game
• Remember that Jordan Staal still exists and plays for Carolina
• Release another teaser video of players talking about the new Heritage Jersey but this time with Lehner and Condra

Carolina

• Convince Jim Rutherford to not trade for Joe Corvo
• Trail in shots after the 1st period (it works)
• Stop MacArthur at all costs

Steve's Picks

• Final score of 3-1 for Carolina
• 32 people claiming that this is in fact rock bottom
• 7 Denis Potvin comments about how Rutherford used to be a goalie
• Someone on Sportsnet will have a birthday and a cupcake will be given on air

Also I will be at my Midget House B practice so I will be gone for most of the game...

Thanks for reading!