NYR VS OTTSpezza looking forward to reunion with Alfredsson

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Paul MacLean isn't wasting any time making changes.

The Senators coach told reporters he'd consider starting captain Daniel Alfredsson with centre Jason Spezza and winger Milan Michalek in Game 2 against the New York Rangers Saturday night (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 p.m. ET) at Madison Square Garden.

It appears that's going to be the case.

Trailing 1-0 in the series after a 4-2 loss in Game 1 Thursday, MacLean is reuniting a line that has scored plenty of goals during the regular season. Alfredsson also broke Henrik Lundqvist's bid for a shutout Thursday.

If it happens, it would be the first time this season.

"We've played together at times this year and we have instant chemistry," said Spezza. "Alfie and I have played a lot of years together. We don't always play together now to start games but we do throughout games.

"He's really smart player. We read really well off each other. If that's what we go with, there's never an adjustment needed. It's pretty instant whether it's mid-game or start of the game."

In a strange twist, winger Erik Condra has been moved to play on the second line with Nick Foligno and Kyle Turris, while winger Colin Greening has moved to a third line with Zack Smith and Chris Neil.

In playoff mode

John Tortorella was in fine form.

The Rangers coach had a pre-game availability that lasted all of 70 seconds Saturday morning. His message was simple and clear: The club has to be better in every aspect in Game 2 because Tortorella wasn't happy with Game 1.

"All I know is we're going to have to be better," said Tortorella.

In any specific area?

"Everywhere," said Tortorella.

Even in goal?

"Everywhere," said Tortorella. "That's the lay of the land in the playoffs. We're going to have to be better in all areas."

Centre Mike Rupp did offer a little more insight than the coach.

"I don't think we did anything glaringly bad, I just think we can be better in a lot of areas," said Rupp. "Even if we did turn a fantastic performance, you still can be better. You always can be pushing the envelope. You need to better as this series goes on."

Tortorella was also asked if he'd been watching other games.

"I don't watch other games," he said.

Blue-line status quo

There was a belief MacLean might place D Matt Carkner in the lineup for Game 2 after the Rangers tried to run the Senators out of the rink physically.

That won't be the case. MacLean has opted to stick with the same blue-line which means Matt Gilroy will dress and Carkner is going to sit for the second straight game.

Expected line combinations

Rangers

Forwards

Carl Hagelin-Brad Richards-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Derek Stepan-Ryan Callahan
Artem Anisimov-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp-John Mitchell-Ruslan Fedotenko

Defence

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Michael Del Zotto
Stu Bickel-Anton Stralman

Goaltenders

Starter

Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron

Senators

Forwards

Milan Michalek-Jason Spezza-Daniel Alfredsson
Nick Foligno-Kyle Turris-Erik Condra
Colin Greening-Zack Smith-Chris Neil
Kaspars Daugavins-Jim O'Brien-Jesse Winchester

Defence

Filip Kuba-Erik Karlsson
Chris Phillips-Matt Gilroy
Jared Cowen-Sergei Gonchar

Goaltenders

Craig Anderson
Ben Bishop

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