Tank Day in Canada

Ottawa Senators (17-30-8) Vs Edmonton Oilers (16-30-8)

2:00pm ET: Rexall Place in Edmonton

Television: CBC

The Stakes:

On an 11-game losing streak and with only 42 points in the standings, the Senators are situated two points ahead of the Western Conference cellar dwelling Oilers. It’s fitting that this is the first game in today’s CBC’s Hockey Day in Canada coverage. With the whole nation watching, it’s deserving of its undercard billing. The race to 30th place and better lottery pick odds starts now!

What We Can Expect:

Nostalgia. Minor hockey league stories. Flag waving. Stock footage of outdoor rinks. Chest thumping. One horrifically awful Ron MacLean sweater. And now that Ottawa has accepted the rebuild movement, you should be prepared for a number of answers to the question, “How did it come to this for Ottawa?” And if no one answers with John Muckler’s name, you should have a shoe or a newspaper (do people still buy them?) at your ready for you to pitch at the television.

Senators Lines:

Michalek – Spezza – Butler
Foligno – Regin – Kovalev
Smith – Kelly – Neil
Ruutu – O’Brien – Shannon

Phillips – Karlsson
Gonchar – Campoli
Kuba – Lee

Elliott

Oilers Lines:

Penner – Horcoff – Hemsky
Hall – Cogliano – Eberle
Paajarvi – Gagner – Omark
Jones – Fraser – Jacques

Peckham – Gilbert
Smid – Petry
Vandermeer – Foste

Dubnyk