Senators at Hurricanes
THE STORY: The Ottawa Senators have reached the point where they know they'll need to play some games without Daniel Alfredsson. They probably wish he wasn't missing Tuesday night's game. The Ottawa captain will sit out the contest against the Carolina Hurricanes as he rests a hip pointer injury. His absence removes a major component of the Senators' offense as the club looks to halt an ugly seven-game winning streak in Raleigh. Alfredsson was limited to 54 games last season and, at age 38, he cannot be counted upon to play a full schedule. Carolina won't miss him one bit, coming off back-to-back losses that quelled the momentum of a three-game winning streak. The team returns home following a successful 2-1-1 road trip.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TSN (Ottawa), FS Carolina
ABOUT THE SENATORS (3-5-0): Ottawa received some good news Monday as center Jason Spezza was named the league's second star for last week. Spezza racked up three goals and four assists in three games to earn the nod. Winger Milan Michalek is also off to a sizzling start this season, having scored six goals in the club's first eight games. The enigmatic forward had only 18 goals in 66 games last season.
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (3-3-2): Opposing teams have burned Hurricanes forward Eric Staal so far this season. The veteran sniper is having enough trouble hitting the scoresheet - he has only four points in eight games - but his minus-10 rating is the worst in the National Hockey League. All three of his goals have come via the man advantage, a sure sign that the soon-to-be 27-year-old needs to do a much better job in the 5-on-5 game.
OVERTIME:
1. Reigning Calder Trophy winner Jeff Skinner is tied for first in points among second-year players with nine (three goals, six assists). Boston Bruins forward Tyler Seguin has identical totals.
2. The home team has prevailed in 14 of the last 17 meetings between the teams.