BY IAN MENDES
sportsnet.ca
On Thursday, Ryan Shannon will get a chance to do something that Alex Kovalev could not accomplish: generate offence on the Ottawa Senators top line.
Shannon will play right wing on a line with Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek, when the Senators visit the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.
The 27-year-old has averaged just 8:53 of ice-time per game this season, but has been one of Ottawa's more impressive forwards lately.
"His ice hasn't been a lot, but he's still managed to produce at times offensively," said head coach Cory Clouston. "So he deserves a chance to play more minutes. He'll get that tomorrow."
Shannon has recorded four goals and five assists in 32 games this season. He scored in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals and has seen sporadic time on the top line over the past two games.
But now, he will go into Thursday's contest with a guaranteed spot on the top line, as the Senators try and shake a two-game winless slide.
"It's a great chance. Right now, things aren't working out too well. We need to throw together some wins and some points. Hopefully I can do that," said Shannon.
"He's a real fast player - brings a lot of pace to our line," added Jason Spezza. "With him and Milan there, it should give me a lot of speed to play with."
Kovalev spent Wednesday's practice with the fourth line of Jesse Winchester and Peter Regin. Kovalev, who has scored seven goals in 35 games this season, has seen significant time on the fourth line this month.
Notes - Pascal Leclaire did not accompany the team to Nashville, but is scheduled to skate on Thursday in Ottawa. If there are no setbacks, Leclaire may be available for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh. He is nursing a lower-body injury ... Thursday's game in Nashville marks the 1,400th game in Senators' franchise history ... Ottawa beat the Predators in their last visit to Nashville, a 2-0 shutout victory on February 16, 2009.
