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Coach taps Auld to face Penguins
By
BRUCE GARRIOCH, QMI Agency
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  Ottawa Senators goaltender Alex Auld watches Vancouver Canucks Henrik Sedin's shot scored on him during the second period of the NHL game in Vancouver, British Columbia, November 20, 2011. (REUTERS/Ben Nelms) |
Alex Auld is going to get a chance to stop one of the league’s most powerful teams.
After being pulled in a 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 25th at the Consol Energy Center, coach Paul MacLean has elected to put Craig
Anderson on the bench and give the club’s backup a rare start at home.
This is Auld’s first start at Scotiabank Place since he arrived and he hasn’t won a game yet this season. He is 0-3-2 and hasn’t had a victor since March 20th last year when he was playing for the Montreal Canadiens.
MacLean told reporters defencemen Filip Kuba (shoulder) and Sergei Gonchar (upper body) aren’t ready to return from injuries which means they won’t suit up against the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday night at home.
There’s a good chance both could be ready to play the Buffalo Sabres at home Tuesday. The Penguins are going to be a good challenge for Ottawa especially after a war of words erupted following the club’s 6-3 loss last month in Pittsburgh.
“We’re not trying to nitpick on little things that have happened. We keep those in the back of our mind,” said defenceman Matt Carkner. “We use it as energy. This is a big game for us. We’ve got to get back on the win wagon here.
“We’ve got to put our best foot forward. Our focus is on getting the two points.”
bruce.garrioch@sunmedia.ca
Twitter: @sungarrioch
