Ottawa Senators fans will watch a home playoff game tonight for the first time in eight years.
The team is looking to pull closer to a Toronto Maple Leafs squad that has jumped out to a two-game lead in what has so far been a scrappy best-of-seven series.
After losing both games in Toronto, the Sens travelled back to Ottawa to prepare for Games 3 and 4 in the nation’s capital.
Players had an off-ice workout at the Canadian Tire Centre Wednesday before meeting with reporters.
Although they trail in the series, the players are confident about their chances of a comeback.
“I mean the playoffs, you got to move on as quick as you can from games,” said Ottawa forward Drake Batherson. “Lots of excitement, lots of confidence in the group.”
Thus far, the series has largely delivered on the drama expected from provincial rivals that hadn’t met in the Stanley Cup playoffs in more than two decades. Games are fast and physical. Overtime was needed in Game 2.
Physicality between Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz and Sens forward Ridly Greig helped set the tone for the first two games.
In Game 1, Greig crashed into the Leafs netminder. In Game 2, Greig was a top target for Leafs players — and received several blows from Stolarz — but he shrugged off critics and doubled-down on playing the role of pest.
“People can kind of say whatever they want,” he told reporters. “I’m just trying to go out there and play, kind of just do whatever I can to try to help the guys win.”
Sens goalie Linus Ullmark said he was eager to be playing again in front of a home crowd.
“I don’t even know if I can imagine it,” he said. “I’m excited about seeing what the Ottawa fan base can bring. I’m really excited about that.”
Greig said there will be a “different vibe” playing at home and added he can sense the excitement around the city.
“Fans have been looking forward to this for a while now, so I’m looking forward to get out there,” he said.
Ottawa coach Travis Green said he expects his team to continue playing hard for a full 60 minutes on Thursday night.
“We want to come out and establish our game. We want to play with purpose, and yet we need to make sure that we’re playing whistle to whistle and playing a very disciplined game,” he said. “But we’re looking forward to it, I can tell you that.”
The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m.