The Senators realize shutting down the Penguins' top offensive players is easier said than done.
The key is to play smart and controlled. "People need to know when you're playing against great players, it's not always easy to be physical," Marc Methot said. "They're good for a reason. They don't put themselves in vulnerable positions where they'll get hit. It's going to be tough. The biggest thing is to stay tight in our own end and not get running around in our own end where they thrive."

Marc Methot returned to action on Saturday March 23.

Marc Methot (sprained right knee) was unable to play Thursday but is considered probable for Saturday's game.
Methot tried to test the knee during Thursday's morning skate but it wasn't strong enough to justify playing against the Bruins. Coach Paul MacLean seems optimistic about Methot's chances of getting back in the lineup Saturday night. Owners will want to check back after Saturday's morning skate for official word.

Marc Methot has "a chance" of playing Thursday despite suffering what is believed to be a sprained right knee ligament on Tuesday against the Islanders.
"(Methot) saw the trainers today and had treatment and we'll see how he is (Thursday)," said coach Paul MacLean Wednesday. "If he's good to go or not, we won't know until Thursday." If he can't play then it's expected that Mike Lundin will return to the lineup in his place.

Marc Methot appeared to suffer an injury to his right leg following a hard hit from Islanders forward Brad Boyes Tuesday night.
The Senators have already been ravaged with injuries this season. The team is calling the ailment a "lower-body injury" and the severity isn't clear yet. Still, losing another top-four defenseman and important penalty killer will hurt the club in the meantime.

Marc Methot will play in his 300th NHL game on Friday.
It will come at Madison Square Garden, too. "An injury last season kind of put me on the back burner for reaching that milestone," Methot said. "But yeah, it's exciting. Now that you mention it, it's a big step for me." The blueliner was drafted in the sixth round by Columbus in 2003, and he has played all but 24 games in his career with that organization. He has 55 points in six-plus seasons.

Marc Methot has been logging heavy minutes for the Senators of late.
He totaled 27:58 of ice time versus the New York Islanders on Sunday in a shootout defeat and he saw 25:23 in Saturday's regulation loss to Philadelphia. Sergei Gonchar and Eric Gryba have also been seeing plenty of ice time, as the three of them try to make up for the minutes lost by workhorse defender Erik Karlsson.

Marc Methot scored a goal in Ottawa's 2-1 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.
It was Methot's first goal and fourth point in 21 games this season. Colin Greening assisted on the goal.

Ottawa-native Marc Methot is looking forward to playing in the Senators' home opener.
Methot was acquired by Ottawa from the Columbus Blue Jackets over the summer. "Ever since I've been in the NHL or even just drafted, going through junior, it's always been a dream of mine to play here," Methot said. "I mean, who wouldn't want to play in their home town in front of people that you grew up around, especially (with) Ottawa being a hockey town?" Methot registered an assist in the Senators' season opener.

There is a very strong chance that Marc Methot will be paired with wunderkind Erik Karlsson on the Senators' blueline.
If that turns out to be the case, Methot could not only have a strong plus/minus rating he could also have a few gimme points just by association with the most dominant offensive rearguard in the NHL. If you are at the end of your draft and looking for a fill in blueliner, Methot may be a good choice.

Marc Methot will be making his Ottawa Senators debut this season.
The Ottawa-native was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets last July in exchange for Nick Foligno. Methot skated in 46 games with the Blue Jackets last season because of injury, but should be an adequate replacement for free agent defender Filip Kuba on the Senators back end. However, his fantasy value is very limited.