OTTAWA -- Expectations are high for the Ottawa Senators this season, so head coach Paul MacLean can be excused for being a little nervous when he finally gets a chance to see his revamped regular-season roster in action. Danny Shelton Jersey Black Friday . The Senators will put the busy off-season and training camp behind them when they open their regular season on the road. They kick things off Friday against the Buffalo Sabres and then head to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Saturday. The Senators are expected to be a playoff team this season, with new acquisitions Bobby Ryan and Clarke MacArthur bolstering the forward lines and captain Jason Spezza and defenceman Erik Karlsson back from injury. "(Friday) nights the first time we really get tested as a group so were a little bit scared, little bit excited, more excited than scared," MacLean said. "We feel were a capable team, but we have to come here and do our work every day and when we do that I think well like where were going to be." Spezza is well aware of the expectations, and as captain he takes accountability in making sure the team is prepared. "Theres lots of optimism and high expectations for us," said Spezza. "With that comes the responsibility of making sure were ready to play every night so its a good challenge for us and a good challenging way to start the season as well." Spezza suffered a mild groin sprain in training camp and was restricted to just two pre-season games, but says he feels good and is looking forward to getting the season underway and seeing how he, Ryan and Milan Michalek execute as a line. "We expect to produce and how quickly we gel as a line is probably going to impact how we do in these first six games so wed like to get off to a good start," Spezza said. "Wed like to get on the board early and get some wins, but for us we just need to learn through our games." After missing most of last season due to a partially lacerated Achilles, Karlsson knows many will be watching to see if the 23-year-old can return to his Norris-Trophy winning form. "I think everyones really excited to finally get going again, especially the guys that missed a lot of time last year," Karlsson said. "Im one of them and Ive been looking forward to this all summer and (Friday) its finally time." MacLean is looking forward to seeing how his team fares against two division rivals after a lengthy training camp. "It gets us right into it which is what we want to do," MacLean said. "We dont want to be tiptoeing around or testing the water we want to get in there and get playing, get involved in the game right away and obviously Buffalo and Toronto being division games right off the bat a so for us its going to get us into the start of the season and get us right into the (division) battle." The Sabres opened the regular season Wednesday against the Detroit Red Wings with a 2-1 loss and know the Senators will offer another challenge. "Weve seen them a lot last year," said Sabres captain Steve Ott. "Obviously with having Spezza back full-time and Bobby Ryan now, it gives them another element. Theyre a really good hockey club. Its going to be a good test for us. "Those are the top-echelon teams - Detroit and Ottawa - theyre good measuring sticks for our club." After spending the last few days practising while most of the league got underway Craig Anderson is excited to get the start against the Sabres. "Were ready to get going here," said Anderson. "(Friday) it starts for real. Weve got to show up and the games start to count so theres a little bit of excitement in the room around getting the season started and making sure we get off on the right foot." Fridays game will mark Spezzas official debut as team captain. "Its a huge honour and it cant be understated how big of an honour it is to be a captain in this league," he said. "Im excited about the challenges ahead for me of being the captain and playing a regular season game with the C on will definitely be special." When asked if he cheered on former Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson when Detroit played Buffalo on Wednesday, Spezza was quick to reply: "I love Alf, were good friends, but theyre in our division. I only cheer for the Senators." Notes: MacLean said he would wait until Saturday before deciding whether or not Anderson will play back-to-back gamesaAnderson says he wont give much thought to facing-off against Ryan Miller, should he get the start, despite the fact both are being considered to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Winter Games. Craig Robertson Browns Jersey Cyber Monday . TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DETROIT LIONS, 1:00 PM (ET) Tampa Bay - None Detroit - G Rodney Austin, WR Ryan Broyles, DT Nick Fairley, QB Kellen Moore, DT Caraun Reid, G Garrett Reynolds, DE Larry Webster NEW YORK JETS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS, 1:00 PM (ET) NY Jets - TE Jace Amaro, G Dakota Dozier, OL Wesley Johnson, WR Walter Powell, QB Matt Simms, CB Josh Thomas, DL Muhammad Wilkerson Minnesota - LB Anthony Barr, DE Scott Crichton, FB Zach Line, CB Jabari Price, LB Brandon Watts, OT JMarcus Webb, G David Yankey ST. Randy Starks Jersey Black Friday .cas NHL Play of the Year showdown continues today with a pair of goaltenders flashing their boots. NASHVILLE -- After consecutive strong games, Ondrej Pavelec has the Winnipeg Jets in the chase for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Pavalec made 39 saves in a 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators on Saturday, and coach Paul Maurice knows his goalie has been on a hot streak. "Hes played the same way, believe it or not, prior to. Hes had a big stretch of really good games, and every once in a while, hell play a game like he did (Saturday)," Maurice said. "Clearly he made some great saves, but I also thought we were pretty good clearing it out." Pavalec had 34 saves in the Jets previous game, a 3-2 victory over Phoenix on Thursday. The Jets, ranked sixth in the NHL in penalty kills coming into the game, didnt allow a goal on six Nashville power plays. One of the Predators strengths has been converting man-advantage chances. Entering the game, they were fifth in the league, but Pavelec stopped Nashville on each power play. "Yeah, we didnt have any interest in playing with that fire," Maurice said. "Well take a look at the ones we did give, and we have penalties that we have to avoid taking. Then we also have to recognize our penalty kills are pretty darn good." Simon Moser scored his first NHL goal for Nashville. He also scored in the Sochi Olympics playing for Switzerland. "That was then, at the Olympics, and now is now," Moser said. "I just try to do my best and keep going that way." The Jets improved 11-3-1 since hiring Maurice as coach. Olli Jokinen put the Jets on the board at 5:02 of the second period when he beat Nashville goalie Carter Hutton with a wrist shot for his 14th of the season. Jacob Trouba and Evander Kane assisted on the play when Winnipeg took advantage of a bad Nashville line change. Trouba collected the puck in his own end and fired a long pass to Jokinen on the left side. Andrew p;Ladd put the Jets up 2-0 at 18:18 of the second period when he tipped in a Zach Bogosian slap shot for his 15th of the season. Michael Bowie Browns Jersey Cyber Monday. . "We are picking our spots and have some great goaltending," Ladd said. Moser brought the Predators within one, but Devin Setoguchi put the game away when he tapped in a rebound off a Blake Wheeler miss with his 11th of the season at 16:08. With the loss, the Predators missed a chance to tie the Jets in the standings. Winnipeg has 66 points, while Nashville remains in 12th place with 62 points. "I thought we had a lot going on, created a lot of opportunities, and drew penalties because we were on the puck and creating chances," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "I have to give Winnipeg credit, they had full commitment from everybody and they got a couple huge saves." This was the final matchup of the season for the two teams. Nashville won the series 3-2. With the Jets up 2-1 and the Predators with momentum, Pavelec came up with a huge save with about five minutes left when he stopped Mike Fishers shot on a 2-on-1 charge to the net. Scoring chances havent been hard to come by for Nashville. The Predators outshot Tampa Bay 21-7 in the final two periods of their game on Thursday, a 3-2 win. On Saturday, the Predators took the first 10 shots of the game before the Jets could muster a chance at the net. "Theres going to be games where you feel like you get your heart ripped out of your chest and you just have to forget about what happened," Trotz said. "We played a really good hockey game, but we didnt win it." Notes: This was the 100th game of Nashvilles Rich Clunes NHL career. ... In 10 matchups against the team formerly known as the Thrashers, Nashville is 7-3-0 on home ice since the 1999-2000 season. ... The win ended a four-game road losing streak in Nashville for Winnipeg. cheap nfl jerseys authentic jerseys nfl wholesale wholesale jerseys cheap jerseyswholesale jerseys ' ' '
