Tension Rising in Montreal as Senators Provoke the Canadiens Before Highly Anticipated Clash
The atmosphere is likely to be explosive tonight at the Bell Centre as the Ottawa Senators subtly provoke the Montreal Canadiens before the game.
Things are going to get heated tonight!
On the eve of their matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, the Ottawa Senators decided to shake up their lines in a bold-and clearly provocative, in my opinion-way.
Nick Cousins, the man at the center of the infamous controversy after his dirty hit on Ivan Demidov during the preseason game a few weeks ago, has been placed on the first line alongside Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson.
A surprising choice-one that's definitely calculated-by the Sens' coaching staff.
Here's the clip in question, for those who didn't remember:
The Ottawa Senators provoke the Montreal Canadiens ahead of a high-tension matchup
Here are the announced lines:
Cousins - Stutzle - Batherson
Greig - Cozens - Perron
Amadio - Pinto - Giroux
MacDermid - Eller - Zetterlund
Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Spence
In net: Linus Ullmark, backed up by Leevi Merilainen.
Greig - Cozens - Perron
Amadio - Pinto - Giroux
MacDermid - Eller - Zetterlund
Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Spence
In net: Linus Ullmark, backed up by Leevi Merilainen.
One thing is clear: the Senators seem ready to play the toughness and provocation card, especially by reintroducing Kurtis MacDermid-a well-known enforcer famous for his physical play.
As reported by the Journal de Montréal, on the Canadiens' side, several players have already reacted to the charged atmosphere.
"We remember what happened, nobody likes dirty hits like that." - Arber Xhekaj
That's what Xhekaj said after Friday's practice, clearly ready to defend his teammates at any time.
Even Jayden Struble admitted that the tension between the two teams is very real:
"Nobody here likes the Senators, and they don't like us. When the hate is mutual, it always makes for good games."
And he's not wrong.
"We see them so often," said Xhekaj, whose circle of enemies keeps growing in the nation's capital.
"If the Senators' visit doesn't bring out the best in you, there's a problem. I think we're ready to rock."
"If the Senators' visit doesn't bring out the best in you, there's a problem. I think we're ready to rock."
And one thing's for sure-at the Bell Centre, that kind of energy can be felt all the way up in the stands.
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