GAME DAY: St. Louis Blues @ Ottawa Senators - 7:00pm ET - Thu. Jan. 21st, 2010

by **Cap'n Clutch** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:14 pm

shabbs GDT

GAME DAY: St. Louis Blues @ Ottawa Senators - 7:00pm ET - Thu. Jan. 21st, 2010

"We beat the best... now let's beat the rest... five wins in a row is on the line..."

The Ottawa Senators (26-21-4, 54 points, 2nd in the Northeast) continue a mini-home stand to face the St. Louis Blues (21-20-7, 49 points, 4th in the Central) on Thursday night at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Blues play the Habs on Wednesday night so we should see Mason in net as Ty Conklin is confirmed to start tonight for the Blues. I expect Brian Elliott to get the start in net for the Sens. Hopefully we'll see Milan Michalek in the lineup as it's been reported by the Ottawa Sun that he is ready to return, but for now the projected lines below don't have him in the lineup. If I hear differently, I'll adjust accordingly.

Game Coverage:
- TV: RDS (HD), FS-MW, SNET-E
- Radio: Team 1200
- Web: check http://www.atdhe.net and http://www.justin.tv

Latest updates:
- Clouston: Michalek is probable to play Thursday against the Blues.

Team Lineups:
Ottawa Senators: http://www.dailyfaceoff.com/team-lineups/ottawa-senators-team-lineup
St. Louis Blues: http://www.dailyfaceoff.com/team-lineups/st-louis-blues-team-lineup

TSN's Ice Chips:

Source: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=11009

Ottawa Senators:

Milan Michalek (concussion) and Jason Spezza (knee) were both on the ice Tuesday at Scotiabank Place. Both players are likely a week away from returning to the lineup. - Ottawa Sun

Projected lineup vs. the Blues:

Forwards:
Foligno - Fisher - Alfredsson
Shannon - Regin - Kovalev
Ruutu - Kelly - Neil
Cheechoo - Smith - Donovan

Defencemen:
Phillips - Volchenkov
Kuba - Karlsson
Campoli - Carkner

Goaltenders:
Elliott
Brodeur

Healthy scratches:
- Picard

Injuries:
- Jason Spezza (torn right MCL, out 6-8 weeks)
- Milan Michalek (head, on IR, probable for Thursday's game vs St. Louis)
- Jesse Winchester (knee, out a month)
- Pascal Leclaire (concussion, out indefinitely)

St. Louis Blues:

Projected lineup vs the Sens:

Forwards:
Kariya - Backes - Oshie
McDonald - Berglund - Perron
Steen - McClement - Boyes
Winchester - Tkachuk - Crombeen

Defencemen:
Jackman - Polak
Brewer - Johnson
Colaiacovo - Weaver

Goaltenders:
Mason
Conklin

Injuries:
- D.J. King (right hand surgery/conditioning, expected to miss Wednesday's game vs Montreal)
- Patrik Berglund (illness, questionable for Wednesday's game vs Montreal)

Game Day Previews:

OttawaSenators.com Game Day Preview:

Source: will post when available...

NHL.com Game Day Preview:

Source: will post when available...

Sportsnet.ca Game Day Preview:

Source: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/scores/20100121/Stl@Ott/story

ESPN Game Day Preview:

Source: http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/preview?gameId=300121014

ESPN Stats Comparison:

Media Links:
- Chris Neil living the dream: http://bit.ly/8it6tL
- SensTV media availability of Eugene Melnyk: http://bit.ly/7gZjqd
- Clouston post-practice presser from Wednesday: http://senators.nhl.com/v2/ext/Audio/100120_Clouston.mp3
- Clouston post-game presser from Tuesday night: http://bit.ly/8cFEZr
- SensTV On-line: http://senators.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp
- Official Twitter of the Ottawa Senators: http://twitter.com/NHL_Sens

Spread the word!

Follow GMHockey on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gmhockey

GO SENS GO!!!

_________________
[shabbs]

by **111519** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:25 pm

why don't we do a prediction on this one, winner gets bragging rights.

OTT 4
Stl 1

First goal kelly

by **Cap'n Clutch** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:27 pm

I'll put up a poll.

by **111519** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:31 pm

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I'll put up a poll.

This is exactly why I want Ice Girls...

by **Cap'n Clutch** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:33 pm

Interesting. Perhaps we should suggest they have a poll for Ice girls to dance around during intermissions.

Would that improve the in game experience? Sarcasm

by **111519** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:36 pm

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Interesting. Perhaps we should suggest they have a poll for Ice girls to dance around during intermissions.

Would that improve the in game experience?

Ah Yea.....

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:00 pm

GAME DAY: St. Louis Blues @ Ottawa Senators - 7:00pm ET - Thu. Jan. 21st, 2010

"We beat the best... now let's beat the rest... five wins in a row is on the line..."

The Ottawa Senators (26-21-4, 54 points, 2nd in the Northeast) continue a mini-home stand to face the St. Louis Blues (21-20-7, 49 points, 4th in the Central) on Thursday night at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Blues play the Habs on Wednesday night so we should see Mason in net as Ty Conklin is confirmed to start tonight for the Blues. I expect Brian Elliott to get the start in net for the Sens. Hopefully we'll see Milan Michalek in the lineup as it's been reported by the Ottawa Sun that he is ready to return, but for now the projected lines below don't have him in the lineup. If I hear differently, I'll adjust accordingly.

Game Coverage:
- TV: RDS (HD), FS-MW, SNET-E
- Radio: Team 1200
- Web: check http://www.atdhe.net and http://www.justin.tv

Latest updates:
- Clouston: Michalek is probable to play Thursday against the Blues.

Team Lineups:
Ottawa Senators: http://www.dailyfaceoff.com/team-lineups/ottawa-senators-team-lineup
St. Louis Blues: http://www.dailyfaceoff.com/team-lineups/st-louis-blues-team-lineup

TSN's Ice Chips:

Source: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=11009

Ottawa Senators:

Milan Michalek (concussion) and Jason Spezza (knee) were both on the ice Tuesday at Scotiabank Place. Both players are likely a week away from returning to the lineup. - Ottawa Sun

Projected lineup vs. the Blues:

Forwards:
Foligno - Fisher - Alfredsson
Shannon - Regin - Kovalev
Ruutu - Kelly - Neil
Cheechoo - Smith - Donovan

Defencemen:
Phillips - Volchenkov
Kuba - Karlsson
Campoli - Carkner

Goaltenders:
Elliott
Brodeur

Healthy scratches:
- Picard

Injuries:
- Jason Spezza (torn right MCL, out 6-8 weeks)
- Milan Michalek (head, on IR, probable for Thursday's game vs St. Louis)
- Jesse Winchester (knee, out a month)
- Pascal Leclaire (concussion, out indefinitely)

St. Louis Blues:

Projected lineup vs the Sens:

Forwards:
Kariya - Backes - Oshie
McDonald - Berglund - Perron
Steen - McClement - Boyes
Winchester - Tkachuk - Crombeen

Defencemen:
Jackman - Polak
Brewer - Johnson
Colaiacovo - Weaver

Goaltenders:
Mason
Conklin

Injuries:
- D.J. King (right hand surgery/conditioning, expected to miss Wednesday's game vs Montreal)
- Patrik Berglund (illness, questionable for Wednesday's game vs Montreal)

Game Day Previews:

OttawaSenators.com Game Day Preview:

Source: will post when available...

NHL.com Game Day Preview:

Source: will post when available...

Sportsnet.ca Game Day Preview:

Source: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/scores/20100121/Stl@Ott/story

ESPN Game Day Preview:

Source: http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/preview?gameId=300121014

ESPN Stats Comparison:

Media Links:
- Chris Neil living the dream: http://bit.ly/8it6tL
- SensTV media availability of Eugene Melnyk: http://bit.ly/7gZjqd
- Clouston post-practice presser from Wednesday: http://senators.nhl.com/v2/ext/Audio/100120_Clouston.mp3
- Clouston post-game presser from Tuesday night: http://bit.ly/8cFEZr
- SensTV On-line: http://senators.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp
- Official Twitter of the Ottawa Senators: http://twitter.com/NHL_Sens

Spread the word!

Follow GMHockey on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gmhockey

GO SENS GO!!!

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:02 pm

Twitter it up!

http://twitter.com/GMHockey/status/8001544642

GO SENS GO!!!

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:03 pm

Cap'n Clutch wrote:GAME DAY: St. Louis Blues @ Ottawa Senators - 7:00pm ET - Thurs. Jan. 20th, 2010

Sorry shabbs I just couldn't wait. Feel free to fill in all the blanks.

The suddenly surging Sens are currently on a 4 game winning streak and are fresh off a 4 - 1 beating of the Western Conference power house Blackhawks. Here's hoping they don't let their guard down vs. an arguably much lesser opponent in the St. Louis Blues. It would be easy to over look them and start thinking about the next Bruins game and I'm sure Clouston will have these boys prepared. The Blues had a 3 game winning streak halted on Monday and could still be a very dangerous opponent. Despite the strong showing by the Sens they still can't afford to take anyone lightly. Presumably Elliott will get the start considering his stellar play last game and his 1 goal against average over the last two wins.

AH! I missed this... and you have the date wrong...

MERGE?

by **Flo The Action** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:03 pm

i'm really looking forward to seeing this young st-louis team. i like these match-ups with western conferences teams. wish we had a few more every year.

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:20 pm

Yeah, this should be an exciting game. The Blues are putting together a nice team and have some great young talent.

by **wprager** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:27 pm

I predict 0-0 since they are not playing tonight.

by **wprager** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:27 pm

But it's an interesting idea to add a poll to all GDTs.

by **wprager** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:28 pm

It *should be* a cake walk. That's what's worrying me.

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:30 pm

wprager wrote:It *should be* a cake walk. That's what's worrying me.

I think it will come down to goaltending...

by **Michallica** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:35 pm

...hmm for some reason this feels like a loss coming. Just a feeling though....the likes of any central division opponent worries me.

by **Michallica** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:38 pm

Ouch. That's a butt load of tickets left!

Courtesy of: http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=514324&cmpid=rss-News%20in%20English

Bulletin: Fewer than 3,500 tickets available for tomorrow’s game against St. Louis

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators announced today that fewer than
3,500 tickets remain for tomorrow’s 7 p.m. game against the St. Louis
Blues at Scotiabank Place, including more than 300 seats in the Coke
Zero Zone priced at only $14 including taxes.

Tomorrow’s game marks the only contest this season against the Blues.
The Senators have a record of 4-0-1 in their last five regular-season
matchups against St. Louis and have not lost to the Blues in Ottawa in
nearly 10 years (1/26/00). Blues forward David Backes, who was recently
named to the Team USA men’s Olympic hockey team, has eight points in
his last 10 games (one goal, seven assists) and had recorded points in
six consecutive games before being held scoreless in St. Louis’ 1-0
home victory over Minnesota on Jan. 14.

The game against the Blues is sponsored by Metro, providing fans with
the opportunity to score four tickets, four hotdogs and four drinks
starting at only $99. Thursday’s game is also a SUBWAY Savings game,
where fans can receive a 20 per cent discount on regular-priced tickets.

HAITI RELIEF: Also on Thursday, the Sens Foundation will donate
their portion of funds raised through the game’s 50/50 draw in support
of current relief efforts in Haiti.

Tickets for all remaing home games are now on sale and can be purchased
by visiting www.CapitalTickets.ca, by phone at 613-599-FANS (3267) or
1-877-788-FANS (3267); in person at The Sens Store at Rideau Centre and
Place d’Orléans; at any Ottawa Sports Experts location and at the
Scotiabank Place box office.

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:40 pm

Yeah, not exactly a huge draw on a Thursday night... the Blues are still probably suffering from "bottom dweller" stigma.

by **Michallica** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:43 pm

shabbs wrote:Yeah, not exactly a huge draw on a Thursday night... the Blues are still probably suffering from "bottom dweller" stigma.

Regardless, the sens reduced prices and have won the last four, including perhaps the biggest victory of the year against chicago. You'd think the sales would be better than this....

$14 for a ticket is awesome. I'd totally be over it....but I got class with mandatory attendance

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:44 pm

Michallica wrote:
shabbs wrote:Yeah, not exactly a huge draw on a Thursday night... the Blues are still probably suffering from "bottom dweller" stigma.

Regardless, the sens reduced prices and have won the last four, including perhaps the biggest victory of the year against chicago. You'd think the sales would be better than this....

$14 for a ticket is awesome. I'd totally be over it....but I got class with mandatory attendance

That is an awesome price. Wow.

If I wasn't 5 hours away...

by **Michallica** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:47 pm

shabbs wrote:
Michallica wrote:
shabbs wrote:Yeah, not exactly a huge draw on a Thursday night... the Blues are still probably suffering from "bottom dweller" stigma.

Regardless, the sens reduced prices and have won the last four, including perhaps the biggest victory of the year against chicago. You'd think the sales would be better than this....

$14 for a ticket is awesome. I'd totally be over it....but I got class with mandatory attendance

That is an awesome price. Wow.

If I wasn't 5 hours away...

Where are you? Blue nation?

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:52 pm

Michallica wrote:
shabbs wrote:
Michallica wrote:
shabbs wrote:Yeah, not exactly a huge draw on a Thursday night... the Blues are still probably suffering from "bottom dweller" stigma.

Regardless, the sens reduced prices and have won the last four, including perhaps the biggest victory of the year against chicago. You'd think the sales would be better than this....

$14 for a ticket is awesome. I'd totally be over it....but I got class with mandatory attendance

That is an awesome price. Wow.

If I wasn't 5 hours away...

Where are you? Blue nation?

Yep. Leaf-land... bah.

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 5:57 pm

GO SENS GO!!!

by **SpezDispenser** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:21 pm

These guys are intensely good on the road. Focus! Vertigo

by **beedub** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:26 pm

wprager wrote:It *should be* a cake walk. That's what's worrying me.

Now you've done it. Whenever the Sens are supposed to stomp on an opponent, they suck hard. Sens might have a bit of a let down. Let's hope Michalek plays and provides a smidgen of the spark that Alfredsson provided on his return

by **SpezDispenser** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:35 pm

I doubt we're even favoured. Maybe by a little, but not much. The Blues are a good road team, we're a good home team. Our record is a little better, but not enough to call this a cakewalk.

by **wprager** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:37 pm

shabbs wrote:
wprager wrote:It *should be* a cake walk. That's what's worrying me.

I think it will come down to goaltending...

Well Elliott's SV% is .899 -- he could climb over the "wall" with a good outing.

by **wprager** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:38 pm

shabbs wrote:
Michallica wrote:
shabbs wrote:Yeah, not exactly a huge draw on a Thursday night... the Blues are still probably suffering from "bottom dweller" stigma.

Regardless, the sens reduced prices and have won the last four, including perhaps the biggest victory of the year against chicago. You'd think the sales would be better than this....

$14 for a ticket is awesome. I'd totally be over it....but I got class with mandatory attendance

That is an awesome price. Wow.

If I wasn't 5 hours away...

A while back when I asked if you could hear me scream, you said you were 3 hours from Kanata. So when did you move? Sarcasm

by **wprager** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:49 pm

SpezDispenser wrote:I doubt we're even favoured. Maybe by a little, but not much. The Blues are a good road team, we're a good home team. Our record is a little better, but not enough to call this a cakewalk.

The Blues will be tired after the game tonight and having to travel; the Sens will have had time to relax.

The Blues are 3-6-2 against the East.

The Sens have scored considerably more goals, and while they have given up a lot more, their team defense and goaltending have been excellent over the winning streak.

Team-lead-wise, we are ahead in every category except goaltending stats, and I already mentioned that a good outing will get Elliott over the .900 line. A little added incentive.

Brad Boyes went from 43 goals, to 33, to a projected 16 this season. He and Cheechoo could write a book.

by **wprager** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:51 pm

SpezDispenser wrote:I doubt we're even favoured. Maybe by a little, but not much. The Blues are a good road team, we're a good home team. Our record is a little better, but not enough to call this a cakewalk.

Their road record is something like 12-6 but they are 3-6 against the East (all road games). So while they are fantastic on the road in the West (9-0, really?) they are poor against Eastern teams.

by **SpezDispenser** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:52 pm

wprager wrote:
The Blues will be tired after the game tonight and having to travel; the Sens will have had time to relax.

The Blues are 3-6-2 against the East.

The Sens have scored considerably more goals, and while they have given up a lot more, their team defense and goaltending have been excellent over the winning streak.

Team-lead-wise, we are ahead in every category except goaltending stats, and I already mentioned that a good outing will get Elliott over the .900 line. A little added incentive.

Brad Boyes went from 43 goals, to 33, to a projected 16 this season. He and Cheechoo could write a book.

Yeah really, I'll take Boyes over Cheechoo though - no problem at all. Ahhhhh!

As for the game, I'm just trying to temper people's enthusiasm a little. It'll be tough.

by **SpezDispenser** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:53 pm

wprager wrote:
Their road record is something like 12-6 but they are 3-6 against the East (all road games). So while they are fantastic on the road in the West (9-0, really?) they are poor against Eastern teams.

Does that sound right? Only 9 games in your own conference?

by **Hayden** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:54 pm

2-0 Blues already - came out flying.

by **SpezDispenser** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:56 pm

Is Kariya a target for a team? I'd love to get him, but our lack of cap space is an issue.

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:07 pm

wprager wrote:
shabbs wrote:
Michallica wrote:
shabbs wrote:Yeah, not exactly a huge draw on a Thursday night... the Blues are still probably suffering from "bottom dweller" stigma.

Regardless, the sens reduced prices and have won the last four, including perhaps the biggest victory of the year against chicago. You'd think the sales would be better than this....

$14 for a ticket is awesome. I'd totally be over it....but I got class with mandatory attendance

That is an awesome price. Wow.

If I wasn't 5 hours away...

A while back when I asked if you could hear me scream, you said you were 3 hours from Kanata. So when did you move?

As odd as that sounds... I'm sure I would have said 5 or 5.5 hours away, not three.

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:07 pm

SpezDispenser wrote:These guys are intensely good on the road. Focus!

And we're pretty good at home too.

Smile

by **wprager** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 8:46 pm

SpezDispenser wrote:
wprager wrote:
Their road record is something like 12-6 but they are 3-6 against the East (all road games). So while they are fantastic on the road in the West (9-0, really?) they are poor against Eastern teams.

Does that sound right? Only 9 games in your own conference?

That's just home games, and I left out the OTLs since I didn't remember how many and didn't bother looking up.

by **Flo The Action** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:58 pm

blues winning against the habs 3-2... hope they can win that way they can be satisfied and tired for us to pray on evil

by **SpezDispenser** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:59 pm

Flo The Action wrote:blues winning against the habs 3-2... hope they can win that way they can be satisfied and tired for us to pray on

Me too.

by **shabbs** on Wed Jan 20, 2010 10:01 pm

Die Habs Die!!!

Prediction for the game.