It's a quick turn around for the Senators as they are back in action tonight to take on the Columbus Bluejackets at SBP.
Ottawa dropped a tight checking affair with the Devils last night night and will look to get back to their winning ways tonight against the Jackets. I already did my rant about the officiating last night but its good to hear Bryan Murray is concerned about it as well.
Word is he spoke with Kerry Fraser after the game last night.
A few lineup notes heading into this one...
-Alex Kovalev will return to the Sens line up tonight. He has missed the last few games due to personal reasons but should be ready to face the Jackets tonight.
-Mike Fisher will miss the game. He hurt himself in practice the other day and will miss his second straight game. The injury is being called upper body and is believed to be an issue with his back.
-Anton Volchenkov is improving but will likely have to wait til the weekend to make his return.
-Chris Neil, Shean Donovan and Pascal Leclaire are all dealing injuries that are considered long term. Neil went down with a knee injury last night and is expected to miss the next little while. Ian Mendes says the injury will keep Neil out 10-14 days.
The only change from the line up in New Jersey will be Chris Neil coming out and Alex Kovalev going in.
Brian Elliott will start.
52 comments:
Will someone please shut Murray up? the more he whines, the longer we will go with bad officiating!!! Suck it up, move on, a team shouldn't have to depend on powerplays to win.
Somebody call Cody Bass - time to get another crack at the big team.
Tim - it's his job (and his alone) to bring complaints to the league. Not the players, not the coach even - the GM. And really, if his "whining" is making it worse, then that's a really, really bad reflection on the league.
Oh - and EVERY team in the NHL depends on powerplays to win. Not that they need them to win on any given night, but drawing penalties and trying to convert on powerplays is a basic part of the game. Similar to NBA teams needing to convert a certain percentage of their free throws to have a shot at winning.
I wouldn't worry about the powerplay, it's like we're lighting the lamp in the PP anyways.
@Tim
He did shut up and things only got worse. It's time for him to get loud, really loud. He should be compiling video evidence, filing official complaints, lamb-basting the refs in the media. The best thing he can do right now is make the refs become even more blatant for all to see.
I would cheer an on-ice protest by the players where the all just stand around while the other team puts in 70 goals, just to make a point. Just not at home. Hurt someone else's fan base, maybe Dallas or another team with over 100 power-play opportunities.
Its absolutely rediculous to think the NHL Officials are biased against the Sens. Suck it up and play harder. The loss last wasnt much of a surprise, however, they did have a chance to win with a depleted roster. Im sure with the same intensity the will be able to get the two points tonight against the Jackets.
TOsensfan
Tim McC, lots of teams use the power play to win... that's why there's so much interest these days on the 5 on 5 stat vs. special teams. With a salary cap system, there's too much parity in the league for power plays not to help in the W column. With that said, there's no sense crying because the league doesn't care about the little Ottawa market. Appease the Yanks and the struggling markets before they even look at Canada - and especially Ottawa.
@anon 12:24
You obviously don't get a chance to see many games Ottawa games in TO.
I don't think the refs are "out to get" Ottawa (though there are some interesting stats out there about which teams are getting the power plays). But I do think the officiating has been poor and there seems to be a reluctance on the part of the league to fix it. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, but even if the public perception is that the refs are bad (or even biased) then the league should be bending over backwards to try and change that perception.
The missed call on Ruutu was what it was - another blown call that seems to happen all the time. And yeah, if it had been called we might have tied the game or even won it.
Did we "deserve" to win last night, maybe not - at least no more than NJ did, but that doesn't change the fact that the league really needs to address the issue of shoddy officiating.
No a team should not have to depend on PP.But a team in the NHL should exspect equal footing when it comes to officiating, too many blown calls..missed goals..and failure to even make rules stand from play to play has greatley effected this game.The NHL prides itself on being for the fans yet make no attempt to improve the league status with those fans they so lovenly cherish! If the NHL wants to truly effect the game for a positive it needs to do something!! anything other then Betman spewing his eternal nose up to the lites rant of how much he loves the product. Hey Gary "YOUR NOT THE ONE BUYING TICKETS!!!"
GOsensGo
The officiating and the NHL head office is hurting the credibility of the league year after year. The NHL is starting to look like pro wrestling.
Too man guys out, this is probably a loss.
Columbus will be happy to play the Binghampton Senators!!
SM
When it's Kerry Fraser refereeing, thre are times, seriously, when one has to wonder. I've been at almost every home game for the last eight years and when it's *his* name on the officiating lineup, things are tense.
I remember the night the Sens announced it was his birthday before the game. The fans, of course, booed that announcement. Any ideas on what sort of night they had on the ice?
At the very least, we've had two knee-on-knee hits go unpenalized in the last week, that non-blown 'whistle' by Fraser the other month, and several phantom calls that, when applied to the other team, merit a mere shrug from the officials. Inconsistency is killing the game, not just Ottawa's either. That's why Fraser and McCreary are still around; there's no one better to replace them.
The last 3 Sens' wins came at the expense of depleted hockey teams, so now it's our turn. No biggie...as a team Ottawa has to figure out a way to beat teams while fighting the injury bug.
Officiating: It's been atrocious yes, but not sure there's any conspiracy. The games the Sens have drawn penalties, they've been working hard to force penalties. It's no coincidence that the 0 PP games have been some of their more lacklustre games in the opponents end...Ruutu's mauling aside from last night....that's just embarrassing on the officials' behalf.
I am going to the game tonight and hopefully it will be a good one...
I am hoping for 17,500 + fans cheering on our Sens...
It will be interesting to see how the penalties line up tonight...
Things were going so well... now suddenly, 5-6 injuries at once, and big ones.... Murphy's Law
Gary Bettman rules.
its not that our powerplay is lighting up the league, its that non calls hault momentum, and it allows the other teams to do wutever to keep the puck out of their net, when sens try the same thing... the be aggressive they get soft calls putting them in the box, and even if they dont score alot on the pp it still makes some momentum
One of these days the whole team will be healthy and when they are, watch out. I think we have the ability to go deep in the playoffs this year with a few moves at the deadline so what we got to hope for is for the boys to play thier best for about the next 4 weeks and if we can survive that its smooth sailing from there on out.
If we make any deadline deal I say we go after Teemu Selane. He'd be a wonderful addition to our top six down the stretch if the Ducks are out of it in terms of making the playoffs. The perfect addition I think, 39 and still 17 points and 12 goals already.
Maybe Kerry Fraser (isn't Kerry a girls name?) is supplementing his retirement fund with some shady bets on the side.
Kerry Fraser = Rick Astley
Re: trades,
I'm reasonably happy with our forwards, I just hope they get healthier and get to play on lines that are consistent over several games.
Re: refs,
boo-urns on them. Missed a clear penalty Salvadore on Ruutu, some jerkass hit on Regin (his jaw got smashed up), Peters (hate that guy, where's Emery when you need him?) elbow/forearm on Picard. BOO-URNS!
Let's hope Kovalev and Spezza can step up their games tonight, we need the goals. From them.
Anon 2:12,
I like your theory because every time he refs I feel like I've just been Rick Rolled.
I just found Kerry Fraser on facebook. You can email him at kfraser@nhl.com
Hey MGD, actually ive been to 5 SENS GAMES THIS YEAR, one at the ACC and rest at the BANK! I either watch online, tv or radio!!! I havent missed a game in 5 five years buddy! The only ones Ive missed are the ones that arent televised. Trust me dude, im probably the biggest and most passionate Sens fan around!!! Anyway, i totally agree that the officiating is terrible but that doesnt mean they are 'out to get' the Sens. That type of thinking is pretty immature!
TOsenfan.
While everyone is ranting about Power Plays etc.... I would like to make an INteresting Point. No one is disputing the fact Spezza is having an off year. However, if we were in the League Average for Power Plays, 85-95 Opportunities Versus the League Low 72. Spezza would likely have another 8 or more points for a total above 22. Not far off from where we want him. He has beena Power Play producer over the years, so his numbers are definatley low, but to his credit look worse than what they should be.
anon @ 213
didnt regin's jaw get smashed up due to a puck??
maybe I was watching a diff game...
Umm, Tosensfan, relax. I never put your loyalty to the sens in question. I'm just saying that there is obvious bias by the refs. Murray saw it enough to have a chat with the officials after the game, Mcguire even says it's because we complain too much (it shouldn't matter how much we complain), and the coach and many other fans see it. Now put your panties back on and relax.
VERMIE'S BACK!!
WHOO HOPE IT'LL BE A GOOD HOMECOMNG FOR HIM!
Anyone wondering if all the injuries will increase the urgency of Murray's talks with Chicago? Assuming they were ever even happening, of course...
I just did some math. The sens are on pace for 268 PP opportunities. Only once since the 97-98 (maybe farther back, NHL.com stats only goes back to 97-98) that any team has had less PP opps, the NJD in 01-02 had 261. Almost every other year every team had over 300 PP opps.
Also, there seems to be always under a 30% difference between the top and bottom team for PP opps, this year it over 36%.
I just posted - keep the comments going. its all we can really do to help our team,
http://www.nhlofficials.com/contact.asp
@ Anon 2:57pm
Alot of people dont look at the finer numbers like PP opportunities, they just see the point total and complain.
Of course Spezza is going to have a lower point total from not getting any PP time, as Anon mentioned we are the League worst, give Spezza 15 more PP's and around 8-9 more point and we are not even having this discussion. He is not hurt, nor is he playing badly.
SM
SM, ya your right somewhat. But when you are the big fish on the team and making 7 mill, you need to fight through it. You need your big guns scoring 5 on 5 as well, not just on speacial teams. 1 goal on the season doesnt justify anything. I am a spezza suppoerter by the way
Once again, Spezza will be fine. If you watch him at a game you can see that he's clearly working on his defensive game - likely at the request of the coaches. We all know he can perform offensively but his defensive game has always been considered average at best. It's November people - let him spend some time working on his two-way game and he'll eventually find a balance where he'll be considered a top 2-way centerman, instead of the one-dimensional playmaker he's been considered in the past.
Really, what would you rather? He play one-way like always and have a bunch of points or work on his overall game so come spring he's more valuable than ever?
I agree with most comments here. Its not a question of 'playing harder' or 'complaining less', this is a PROFESSIONAL sport for crying out loud!
I have been watching alot of hockey this season (thx to NHL center ice, the love of my life...for now) and while I think reffing has been questionable all-around, some of the non-calls you've seen against our team are mind-boggling. They not only need to be more consistent in calling penalties, but they need to have a clear standard for what IS a penalty.
I can't count how many times this year I've seen blatant penalties go uncalled, then hear the crowd boo the refs, then minutes later when the other team is on the pp they just call something..anything to even it up!
Apart from that though, what really GRINDS MY GEARS is our PK time versus PP time, it's unreal!
/endrant
Let's hope Ottawa can score one early tonight and ride the wave, otherwise if we're down or even after 1 we could see another tight game...although like someone mentioned CLB has been playing really wide open hockey lately, which makes our forecheck and cycle game THAT much better.
GO SENS GO
Okay - as much as I hate "line combo" posts, seeing Michalek fly around with Winnie and Shannon last night and Ruutu playing so well, I think tonight might be a good time to try Kovalev with Spezza.
Cheechoo - Spezza - Kovalev
Ruutu - Regin - Alfredsson
Michalek - Winchester - Shannon
Foligno - Kelly - Keller
I still don't see Spezza/Kovalev as a long-term solution, but with Fisher out maybe this will let us roll 4 strong lines and allow Spezza and Kovalev to get Cheechoo going.
I know Foligno's not a fourth line guy really, but thinking more 3A and 3B here.
Boo-Urns, Boo-urns!
are they saying Boo or Boo-Urns
(Boo-urns)
I was saying Boo-Urns
Watching the NFL today you can see they have it right when it comes to officiating. It's nearly impossible for a blown call - they almost always get it right. Now the NHL game is WAAAAY faster and you can't review everything, but certainly the NHL could do SOMETHING to try and improve things. NFL fans didn't take to instant replay at first, but they found a way to make it part of the game without being too painful. I think the NHL could look into expanding replay A LITTLE beyond just goal/no-goal.
ohh right on boys and girls this ones on tsn so we get to here pierre mcguire rip on elliot and listen to how amazing r.j. umberger is.
:( go sens go
hax.. are u ok? lets put our top scorer on our 3rd line...yea man great idea. other than that spezz with kovy is worth a shot
anyone have a stream for the game?
where can i watch it...other than atdhe cuz it nvr works
wow...just wow we got a penalty call-finally
winchester is our new vermette!!!
top faceoff guy - pk
Did you see Nash blow his nose? He cleared that snot out that a superstar. He is my monster of the night. This has been fake McGuire for the want to give Rick Nash a hand job campaign.
I thought Winchester had a strong game especially on the PK. Kovalev was all over the ice didn't get on the score sheet but he was noticeable.
How about that game of keep away in the last few minutes that was great.
Put kovie on the first pp line please
ANON @ 6:22pm - yeah dude I'm fine - did you happen to watch the game Wednesday night? That threesome was flying. And with Fisher and Neil out we need to get some different combos going. Michalek gets plenty of extra minutes on the PP and PK too.
And ANON @ 10:07pm - Kovie is on the top PP - when everyone's healthy and we don't need help on the second unit. Not to mention, at least two of our power plays tonight started just after Kovie had a long shift.
Thanks to all the ANONs for paying attention!
pierre didnt piss me off too much tonight until the MONSTER OF THE GAME. The monster of the game was clearly Elliot. Spezza and Kovalev were playing amazing. Oh, and maybe it was KARMA the way that ref got hurt out there hey sens fans?!?!?!
Hax ..lol you mean Kovie is on the first line powerplay when everyone is healthy really I think you should start paying attention .. last time I checked the first line pp is fisher spezza alfie picard and kuba lol the only time kovie gets first line mins when its a 5-3 check your shit before you run off at the mouth lol go sens go
ANON @ 11:41pm - not to get into a gay, internet war of words with some "anon", but unless Kovalev has just finished a shift, the first PP unit is currently Kovie, Spezza, Fisher with Alfie and Kuba on the point. It's rare that this group gets out there though since most of those guys have missed games.
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