Pre-season Primer: Game #6 @ Montreal

The Sens are all et to wrap up their pre-season tonight in Montreal against the Canadiens at 7 p.m. and we've got some game notes to pass along before puck drop.

Line-up

It was a light skate at CTC this morning but I jotted down the forward lines during yesterday's practice and they looked like this...
Dzingel - Turris - Formenton
Smith - Brown - Stone
Hoffman - Pageau - Pyatt
McCormick - Thompson - Burrows
You can find tonight's full game roster
here
.
A few non-Karlsson injury updates to pass a long as well as Bobby Ryan won't be available for tonight's pre-season finale after sustaining a mild groin injury earlier this week.
"Just a little groin pull," relayed head coach Guy Boucher to the media yesterday. "He should be fine for next Thursday but we don't want to aggrevate it."
On a positive note, Derick Brassard's recovery from off-season shoulder surgery took another step forward as he was cleared to resume contact yesterday and according to the coach he could be available as early as next week.
"Getting the green light from the surgeons," Boucher said about his centre. "He had some bumps and bodychecks during practice and said he didn't feel anything so we're crossing our fingers."

In goal

The coach confirmed that Craig Anderson, fresh off of signing a two-year extension with the Sens yesterday, will get the start in goal against the Canadiens and is expected to play the full game.
Anderson's extension kicks in next season and will pay the Sens' netminder $5.5 million in year one and $4 million in year two.
"For this organization, this was a no-brainer," said Sens GM Pierre Dorion about the signing. "We all felt that Craig's given us great hockey over the past few years and we feel that he probaby had his best year last season, especially the way he played in the playoffs. For us ,to get Craig signed to a two-year extension was an easy decision."
"Hopefully one day we can retire his number."

Formenton on the bubble

The Sens' 2017 second round pick continues to impress during the pre-season and now finds himself on the cusp of making the team's opening night roster as an 18 year old.
"I'm grateful to be here this long," said Alex Formenton about his extended stay during training camp. "I'm just working on the little things in my game and learning from the NHL players that have played in the league."
Most noteable about Formenton's game is the way that he darts around the ice with ease, something that he thinks gels with the team's overall strategy.
"I'd like to think that my style of play fits the team...there are 'Speed' signs posted all over the locker room," he continued from his stall after the morning skate. "My speed is one of my biggest strengths and we've got a fast team here so I think I fit right in."
The young winger has been a standout in his pre-season appearances so far but was finally able to find the back of the net against the Jets on Wednesday night. While it may not have been his first career NHL goal just yet...it's a start.
"It was definitely special to finally put one away but I'd love to score one in the regular season if I get the opportunity."

Where to Watch

We've got ourselves a Saturday night game pairied with a TSN5 broadcast so pretty optimal conditions if you ask me. The action kicks off from Montreal at 7 p.m. and if for some reason you find yourself away from your television be sure to tune in on TSN 1200 where Dean Brown and Gord Wilson will have tonight's call.