Senators at Wild: Steve On Sens Preview

The Ottawa Senators enter the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota riding a hot streak. No, the team has not signed former handsome goaltender Pascal Leclaire. The Sens have recorded 11 out of a possible 12 points in their last 6 games. With wins against Boston, Washington, Winnipeg and Nashville and an overtime loss to Colorado, Paul MacLean's Senators seem to have finally found their groove. The last time Ottawa lost was a 5-0 loss on December 27th to Boston. In a completely unrelated note, the December 27th 5-0 loss to the bruins was the last time I did a Game Preview. Completely unrelated. The Senators are hoping to end their horrible record of unsuccess against wearer of large visors - Dany Heatley (and also former Senators Left Wing but who remembers that?).  Let's look at the Starting Goaltenders...who are brought to you by SensTown.com!

Confused by the bottom part of this front page...classic Donny B!

Starting Goaltenders

Ottawa: Robin Lehner (5-9-3, 2.68 GAA, .922 SV%)
Minnesota: Darcy Kuemper (2-1-0, 2.28 GAA, .911 SV%)


Robin Lehner steps back into the Senators net for the first time since allowing 5 goals on 42 shots against Boston (and since my last game preview). Anderson has been hot but Paul MacLean is looking to give him a night off letting Lehner slide into the net. MacLean was quoted saying "We just don't feel like we can leave him sitting there longer and longer and longer and not get to play, otherwise we'll never play him" which is like saying "he isn't good but our good goalie is getting tired so I guess he'll play". Needless to say, Lehner faces a huge challenge against the strong Wild who have had their fair share of goaltending success.

Darcy Kuemper looks to continue his recent success after coming off of a 4-0 win against the Nashville Predators. Kuemper has looked strong and has only allowed 1 goal on 62 shots since arriving in Minnesota. Some may call this a hot goaltender (see Alex Auld), some may say luck, some may say he is a young version of Mike Brodeur and some may say that he will simply be this good. The Senators have their work cut out for them against Kuemper and the Wild.

Keys To The Game

Ottawa

• Limit shots
• Cooke n' Heater effect
• MacArthur
• Get into game quickly after Matt Kassian commemoration video

Minnesota

• Strong goaltending
• Generate offense
• Limit Ottawa scoring chances
• Do other generic things to win

Steve's Picks

• Final score of 3-2 for Ottawa
• 7 fist pumps after I finally her the voice of Denis
• Sportsnet panel consisting of debate about Heatley's 2003 All-Star performance
• John Shannon talks about Melnyk's forensic investigation
• Greening scores

Muckler and Heatley - a dynamic duo

I really hope Ottawa wins so I don't establish a Steve On Sens Game Preview Curse on the Sens. 

Thanks for reading!