THE STORY: The Senators want to keep rolling after picking up their first win of the season Saturday in Toronto. To do it, they'll have to get past the latest superstar-in-the-making, John Tavares. He launched his NHL career with a goal and and assist last week.
THE SUBPLOTS: There should be no underestimating the lowly Isles, especially here in Ottawa. Last November, the sputtering Sens thought they had six easy points lined up with a trio of games against New York. They dropped every single one, an unmistakable sign that their year was headed for disaster.
THE WILDCARDS: If the Islanders have any aspirations of getting out of the NHL's dark, musty basement, they'll have to do it on the young shoulders of Tavares. After him, the talent level plummets. On the Ottawa side, the Senators are still waiting for the likes of Alex Kovalev and Jason Spezza to wake up. They have one assist between them and Daniel Alfredsson can't score a goal every game.
THE QUOTE: "You use the regular cliche, 'you just gotta play one game at a time,' but yeah, when you look at that stretch, it's definitely important." ? Cory Clouston on the Senators playing six of their next seven games at home.
THE USELESS (BUT KINDA COOL) FACTOID: Oft-injured Isles goaltender Rick DiPietro has missed so much time lately, the team completely forgot to acknowledge him during player introductions on opening night last week. The team president called the move "a mistake."
THE PREDICTION: I'm always leery when a team is comfortable at home and looking at what should be an easy victory, but the Senators should be fired up regardless in their home opener. Pascal Leclaire will likely get the start, making it all the more difficult for New York's thin forward corps to break through.
THE SICK BAY: Senators ? C Jesse Winchester, knee, mid-October. C Ryan Shannon, undisclosed, day-to-day. D Filip Kuba, undisclosed, day-to-day. Islanders ? RW Blake Comeau, illness, questionable. C Doug Weight, groin, questionable. G Rick DiPietro, knee, late October. C Frans Nielsen, knee, late October.
THE SUBPLOTS: There should be no underestimating the lowly Isles, especially here in Ottawa. Last November, the sputtering Sens thought they had six easy points lined up with a trio of games against New York. They dropped every single one, an unmistakable sign that their year was headed for disaster.
THE WILDCARDS: If the Islanders have any aspirations of getting out of the NHL's dark, musty basement, they'll have to do it on the young shoulders of Tavares. After him, the talent level plummets. On the Ottawa side, the Senators are still waiting for the likes of Alex Kovalev and Jason Spezza to wake up. They have one assist between them and Daniel Alfredsson can't score a goal every game.
THE QUOTE: "You use the regular cliche, 'you just gotta play one game at a time,' but yeah, when you look at that stretch, it's definitely important." ? Cory Clouston on the Senators playing six of their next seven games at home.
THE USELESS (BUT KINDA COOL) FACTOID: Oft-injured Isles goaltender Rick DiPietro has missed so much time lately, the team completely forgot to acknowledge him during player introductions on opening night last week. The team president called the move "a mistake."
THE PREDICTION: I'm always leery when a team is comfortable at home and looking at what should be an easy victory, but the Senators should be fired up regardless in their home opener. Pascal Leclaire will likely get the start, making it all the more difficult for New York's thin forward corps to break through.
THE SICK BAY: Senators ? C Jesse Winchester, knee, mid-October. C Ryan Shannon, undisclosed, day-to-day. D Filip Kuba, undisclosed, day-to-day. Islanders ? RW Blake Comeau, illness, questionable. C Doug Weight, groin, questionable. G Rick DiPietro, knee, late October. C Frans Nielsen, knee, late October.
