Searching for their first win of the pre-season, the Ottawa Senators are hoping the addition of Milan Michalek will help spark the offence tonight in Montreal.
The Senators lost consecutive games to the Florida Panthers this week, scoring a combined two goals in the losses.
Michalek will make his Senators debut tonight, playing on a line with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson.
"We're hoping they are going to have some chemistry. They should compliment each other well. They should be a very good line tonight," said Clouston on Friday morning following the Senators practice at Scotiabank Place.
Tonight will also mark the Sens' debut for 2009 first-round-pick Jared Cowen. The defenseman is gradually recovering from a serious knee injury that required reconstructive surgery in February. Tonight will mark his first game action in more than eight months.
"It's getting better. It's a slow process. It won't feel 100 per cent for a while. It's going to be a battle to play through it," said Cowen, who will make his NHL debut in the same building where he was drafted in June.
"He's gotten the clearance and he wants to play. This will be a good test for him. For someone like him, it's important that he gets a game. It's a measuring gauge to see where he's at," explained Clouston, who said Cowen might get one more pre-season game.
Pascal Leclaire will get the start in goal for the Sens tonight and Clouston said he might play two full periods at the Bell Centre. He made his pre-season debut in Halifax on Tuesday, allowing two goals playing in the first half of the game.
"He needs to play. He's got to get the rust out and get himself in game shape," added Clouston.
Much to the disappointment of the fans in Montreal, Alexei Kovalev will not suit up for this game tonight against his former team.
Here is the Senators line-up for tonight's game at the Bell Centre:
Michalek - Spezza - Alfredsson
Kelly - Smith - Winchester
Zubov - Regin - Neil
Yablonski - Bass - Schubert
Carkner - Campoli
Lee - Picard
Kindrade - Cowen
Leclaire
Lehner
