  Goalie Robin Lehner (pictured), fresh off the world junior championships, and former 67's star Corey Locke have both been called up by the Senators in a desperate attempt to add some vitality to their lineup for Thursday's game at the N.Y. Islanders. (QMI Agency file photo) |
BOSTON -- Corey Locke is expected to start on a line with Ryan Shannon and Nick Foligno when he makes his Ottawa Senators debut Thursday in Long Island.
Watch for the Senators to have another new look when they try to stop their losing streak at six, as well. Goalie Robin Lehner accompanied Locke on the drive from Portland after the two led Binghamton to a 5-2 win over the Pirates Tuesday.
The 19-year-old Lehner will be the first teenager to start a regular-season game between the pipes for the Senators if, as expected, he gets the nod against the Islanders.
Brian Elliott lasted just 40 minutes and five goals into his 10th consecutive start, a 6-0 loss to the Bruins in Boston Tuesday.
Locke, who was named as a starter on the Eastern Conference team for the AHL all-star game Tuesday, finished the day with a four-point night (two goals) against the Pirates to increase his total to a league-leading 55 points in 38 games.
Weather conditions prevented the Senators from flying to Long Island after Tuesday's game. They'll try to do so Wednesday.
The Senators, 13 points behind the eighth-place Montreal Canadiens, practised at Boston University Wednesday morning.
The frustrations of their situation were evident as goalie coach Rick Wamsley barked at players, and winger Chris Neil dropped the gloves with defenceman Chris Campoli.
It was the first fight at a Senators practice this season.
