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Senators go for new look to bust out of slump

If it’s not working, might as well shake things up.

The Ottawa Senators, sinking and flailing in the midst of a post-Olympics slump, will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight with a bit of a new look tonight. The changes were made a bit by necessity, but coach Cory Clouston is hoping some different combinations on the lines will spark what has been a very weak offensive attack.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports that defenseman Chris Campoli and forward Nick Foligno will return to the lineup tonight after missing significant time due to injury. Unfortunately the team will be without Mike Fischer and Filip Kuba, who will sit out tonight due to injury. I don’t normally do this, but here are the lines for tonight’s game.

Forwards: Michalek-Spezza-Foligno Kelly-Cullen-Alfredsson Shannon-Regin-Kovalev Ruutu-Winchester-Neil Defence: Phillips-Volchenkov Sutton-Karlsson Carkner-Campoli

Even without Mike Fischer, just adding Foligno in certainly seems to make the Senators a bit more balanced offensively. Yet looking at the roster as a whole, it’s tough to say to yourself “Gee, this is a team that will be going far in the playoffs.” With Pascal Leclaire falling apart nightly, Ottawa will go with Brian Elliot in net. Can the Sens get back on track with this revamped -- but not exactly scary -- lineup?

I will say this. If they can’t do it against the Toronto Maple Leafs, then perhaps all hope is lost.