Wild at Senators
THE STORY: Dany Heatley will pay a visit to his old stomping grounds Tuesday as the Minnesota Wild invade Canada's capital city for a date with the winless Ottawa Senators. After playing four seasons with the Senators, Heatley found his way to San Jose prior to the start of the 2008-09 campaign. Now with the Wild, Heatley is relishing his second return to the city after demanding his initial trade out of Ottawa. "I think it will be a little easier, but I'm sure there will still be some booing," Heatley said with a smile. "As always, I'm excited to see some old teammates and staff with the Senators." He may enjoy his trip more if Craig Anderson continues to struggle. Anderson, who was signed to a four-year, $12.75 million deal in March, has permitted nine goals in five periods this season. Anderson will look for a better effort Tuesday as the Senators play their first home game of the season.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN (Ottawa), FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE WILD (1-1-0): Matt Cullen scored for the second time in as many games, but the Wild suffered their first loss with a 2-1 setback to the New York Islanders on Monday. Minnesota struggled mightily on its power play, failing on all five opportunities. The Wild didn't muster a shot on a 44-second two-man advantage in the second period. The power play was working just fine in the season opener as Heatley and defenseman Marco Scandella scored with the man advantage in a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Heatley does have two goals - including a game-winner - in 11 career contests versus the Senators.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (0-2-0): Captain Daniel Alfredsson showed marked improvement from a less-than-desirable season-opening effort. After posting a minus-3 against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, the 38-year-old Swede coupled a shorthanded goal with a power-play tally in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Alfredsson hasn't shown any effects from a back injury which sidelined him for a significant portion of last season. All-Star defenseman Erik Karlsson has a team-high four assists already and has one goal and three assists in two career games versus the Wild.
OVERTIME:
1. Minnesota right wing Pierre-Marc Bouchard will serve the second of his two-game suspension Tuesday. He was handed the ban after high-sticking Columbus forward Matt Calvert on Saturday.
2. Ottawa center Peter Regin is expected to make his season debut against the Wild. Regin injured his shoulder after crashing into the boards during a preseason game.