Captain Alfie eyes return to Sens’ lineup
Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson hopes to be in the lineup tonight when the team tries to complete an upset of the New York Rangers in their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final series.
Alfredsson hasn’t played since being knocked out Game 2 of the series when he was concussed by an elbow to the head by the Rangers’ Carl Hagelin.
Hagelin, who was suspended three games for the hit, will return to the Rangers’ lineup for Game 6.
“I’m hopeful,” Alfredsson said of returning to action tonight at Scotiabank Place. “We’re obviously going to wait until (today), but the way the last two days felt, I’m encouraged.”
Alfredsson took part in a light 70-minute optional practice Sunday. He also skated in Ottawa on Saturday, opting not to travel with the team to New York for Saturday’s Game5, which the Senators won 2-0 to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Daniel Alfredsson takes part in an afternoon practice session in Ottawa on Sunday.
“It’s obviously nice to be back on the ice and skate and it felt good. (Sunday) was another good step,” he said.
Alfredsson was originally hoping to return for Game 3, but after taking part in that morning skate, the concussion symptoms re-appeared. From there, he opted to stop exercising for several days until he jumped back on a stationary bike on Friday.
The process of watching on TV — Alfredsson even chose to watch games 3 and 4 at Scotiabank Place on TV from his living room—have produced mixed emotions.
“It could have been a lot harder,” he said. “The guys have played really hard, the way we’ve wanted. It has been fun to watch, but also frustrating. We’ve played hard every shift. That’s been our mentality throughout the year. Give it everything we have and see where we end up at the end up at the end. And the same thing now. Going forward (today), it’s just we need another gusty effort, everybody needs to bring their best and that’s it.”
Senators coach Paul Maclean, who has managed to keep his emotions in check throughout the series, steering clear of anything controversial, did allow himself a smile Sunday when talking about Alfredsson’s status.
“We’re encouraged and optimistic from the progress he has made and we’ll see where it is (today),:” he said. “It’s definitely encouraging.”
The return of Alfredsson would give a spark to the club’s offence and immediately make the power play a bigger threat. The Senators are a dismal 2-for-19 with the man advantage.
“I think he’s got a trillion points on the power play, so it would be nice to get him out there,” said winger Nick Foligno. “We’re looking forward to have him in there, if he’s ready to go. But if not, it’s business as usual.”
Centre Jason Spezza said Alfredsson brings more than skill.
“We’re a much better team with Alfie in the lineup, but we’re also a resilient bunch, so that if he can’t play, we’re fine and we can work through it,” he said. “But there are no bones about it, we’re a better team when he’s in the lineup and having his presence.”