SUNRISE, FLA. -- This night belongs to captain Daniel Alfredsson as he suits up for career game No. 1,000, but a lot of eyes will be on Pascal Leclaire in the Ottawa net.
The Senators goaltender, who hasn't won a game since Dec. 31, will make his first start since Mar. 20 when he plays Tuesday against the Florida Panthers at the BankAtlantic Center.
The club has decided to wait on winger Milan Michalek. He will get a couple more days to rest his injured knee, and won't suit up until Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After a 4-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday, coach Cory Clouston is hopeful the players are fired up for Alfredsson's 1,000th.
"It obviously can't hurt. Our focus is playing hard and playing right," said Clouston.
There were also plenty of eyes on the Panthers. Nathan Horton broke his stick and left the ice screaming after a verbal jousting and shoving match with assistant coach Mike Kitchen.
"It's that time of year and we're disappointed in the situation that we're in," said coach Peter DeBoer. "The nerves are a little bit frayed and edgy across the board."
