SNAPSHOTS: Looks like Tuesday's Sabres-Senators game will be in an empty building
Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba aren't allowing any fans, while Alberta and British Columbia have 50 per cent capacity limits with no food or beverage sold.
The Ottawa Senators will turn back the clock Tuesday night.
Unless there’s a change of heart by the National Hockey League, it would appear the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the Canadian Tire Centre will go ahead without any fans in the stands for the first time this season.
tap here to see other videos from our team.
While anything can change, the Senators fully expect to suit up against the Sabres. They played with no fans last season and would rather not do it again, but the NHL is reticent to move any more games with 104 already postponed and only six rescheduled.
The Senators will only be home for one game before they head out on a three-game road trip. Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba aren’t allowing any fans, while Alberta and British Columbia have 50 per cent capacity limits with no food or beverage sold.
Tkachuk has stated in the past that he wishes the fans had a choice on going to the rink or not, rather than the measure the Ontario government currently has in place.
“You want those fans in Ottawa. It’s kind of nice to be there and just be part of the community, but hopefully, when we get back to home games, we’ll have fans in the stands,” Tkachuk said.
“And, they can enjoy outside of their struggles and everyday lives and they come rally together as a community and root for our team.”
QUIET ON THE TRADE FRONT
Dorion said NHL teams were still just trying to get healthy.
“A lot of teams have been hit by COVID-19,” Dorion said. “That’s priority for the coaches and general managers at this point in time. There hasn’t been as much trade chatter as in previous years.
“A lot of teams, at this time of year, are having their scouting meetings, whether it’s pro or amateur. Trade chatter will come up a bit later and there’s a lot of time before the trade deadline.”
TOUGH CUSTOMER
Sabourin will be sidelined indefinitely with a dislocated ring finger as a result of the second period bout with Lucic. You have to give Sabourin credit for taking on a tough customer, but the timing of the fight at 1:47 of the second with Ottawa holding a 2-0 lead was questionable.
Sabourin and Lucic had previously dropped the gloves following a faceoff in a Toronto-Calgary game last season. It was Sabourin’s first and only game with the Leafs.
“It takes big guts, Lucic is one of the toughest guys in the league,” Senators head coach D.J. Smith said. “At the time, you’re thinking to yourself you have a 2-0 lead and it’s not a perfect scenario and it’s really gutsy by him.
“A year ago, Lucic gave him a shot in Toronto and I think that’s a little bit of a code by those guys. I think that’s what happened, but it was good our guys kept their focus and didn’t let it spark them. Our guys did a nice job.”
THE LAST WORDS
The No. 28 overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft, Greig, 19, has 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points in 20 games with Brandon. Ottawa scouts were also hoping to get to see him with Canada at the world junior championship, but that event was cancelled after two games.