  The Senators are making a couple of lineup changes tonight, including inserting Brian Lee into the blue line corps in place of Matt Carkner. (QMI Agency file photo)
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CHICAGO -- The wait will finally come to an end for the Senators in the Windy City Friday night.
Six days after taking it on the chin from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 5-1 loss Saturday at Scotiabank Place, the Senators go back to work against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks with what can only be considered a must-win at the United Center.
There will be changes to the lineup. Winger Jarkko Ruutu, a healthy scratch in the last two games, will make his return. Defenceman Brian Lee will be in the lineup and Matt Carkner is going to be a scratch.
Pascal Leclaire will dress as the backup to Brian Elliott as he continues to rehab a lower body injury. The possibility exists that he could play against the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday at Scotiabank Place.
"We just want to make sure we're not putting him in a situation where he's not 100%," said Senators coach Cory Clouston Friday.
The 'Hawks, who have read all the stories and seen all the clips out of Ottawa this week about the unrest, aren't worried about the Senators' struggles.
"It seems every team we play is coming off a tough game," said 'Hawks coach Joel Quenneville. "We can't be concerned about them. We've got our own issues we're worried about here.
"Everybody has incentive, no matter who we play the rest of the year. It's a fact that we have to take care of our own business here."
Game time is 8:30 p.m. It will be televised on Rogers Sportsnet.
