Bobby Butler played the role of shootout hero this time as MacLean went to the struggling sniper in the extra rounds of the shootout. Butler certainly didn't look like a player that has been gripping the stick, as he made a good fake and then out waited a sprawling Enroth for the winner.
It's pretty much standard procedure for the Senators these days but once again MacLean's group found themselves trailing and found a way to battle back. Ottawa's goals came from tough guys Matt Carkner and Chris Neil.
This was a game where it would have been pretty easy for the Sens to get discouraged. Playing on back to back nights, the Senators just could not get break as time and time again they beat Enroth only to year the familiar ping of puck hitting goal post. In total, the Sens caught iron six times in this one but stuck with it and picked up the two points in the shootout.
Was really impressed with the Condra, Turris, Alfredsson trio in this one. They had a number of chances and seemed to be reading well off each other. Condra picked up assists on both Ottawa goals while Turris notched his 4th point in an Ottawa uniform.
On defence, the Sens were lead by Erik Karlsson and Filip Kuba who each logged over 30 minutes of ice time in the win. Defenceman Sergei Gonchar was injured in the warm up and could not play. The injury is not believed to be serious.
The Sens have a full day off today and will be back on the ice tomorrow morning ahead of another important game against the New Jersey Devils at Scotiabank Place.
- There was an incident in last night's Binghamton Senators game that may land Robin Lehner in some hot water. He left the crease to join an altercation at the other end of the ice and got into it with a couple of officials that were holding him back. You can see video of that here.
- Another Canada game, another goal from Mark Stone. The Sens prospect now has an incredible 7 goals in the tournament as he continues to fuel the Canadian attack. Team Canada held on for a 3-2 win over the Americans last night.
- January figures to be a grueling month for the Sens. The month includes a stretch that will see the Senators play 9 of 10 games on the road to close out the month with a ton of tough opponents lined up.
- I wanted to take the time to wish each and every one of the loyal readers of this site a very Happy New Year. It has been a year of change and uncertainty around these parts but you've all stuck with the SensChirp and continue to make this one of the best Ottawa Senators communities on the internet. A lot of hard work goes into this site but it's worth it knowing that this is a site visited by so many die hard Sens fans. Thank you and all the best in 2012!
Nothing from the team on that injury after the game. Assume it's not serious but we'll have to wait until tomorrow for an update.
The guy was a hot head but thats just wack man.
Murray wont be to pleased.
Looked like he was favouring his shoulder
Thanx for putting up with all the eye rollers in the comment section'!! Lol!
Agreed. Looked like Lehner was right to come down the ice in that situation. Linesman was a little aggressive in heading him off. Can see why Lehner would be frustrated.
I would take that passion on this team all day long.
Way to go Lehner
I disagree, that's exactly the type of passion you want to see from your goaltender. Most Euro goalies would be sweeping their creases and having a drink with a brawl going on. The other goalie was getting to close to the action probably because he would have helped out a teammate getting tooled, So Lehner came down the ice to ensure fairness.
He was back before the end of the game. I noticed him. I'm surprised they didn't say anything on air. I think he was just a little shaken up.
All I've heard from bingo fans about lehner is bitching and not cutting the kid any slack...now I don't claim to be an expert on the bingo team, hell I've only ever seen 2-3 games...but I have also heard people in bingo/fans bitch about his attitude towards fans and not wanting to be there but in the big leagues.....can 't say I blame him.
It sucks that the B-Sens don't have a good team this season. I guess that's what happens when you win the Calder Cup -- other NHL teams come calling as well as the parent club.
Things should be better next season once Mark Stone, Shane Prince and others join the B-Sens and the current rookies having another year under their belts.
Is a lot of Lehner's problems helped along by the defense. I believe the top 4 D are gone from last season... that has to hurt as well...
He will be in Ottawa next season..
Glad though to see his passion but he has to learn to pick his spots.
That's what I like to see! Lehner is a BOSSSSS.
If the other goalie actually throws a punch, or at least get's involved (not just looks like he might), then Lehner can come to even things out.
The other goalie just backed into his crease though, so Lehner has no reason to be where he is. Everyone loves to see passionate goalies, but if two referees are pushing you off the ice, you just go.
I felt bad that Lehner kinda got baited when the other goalie left his crease, then backed away, but then I was embarrassed for him as he struggled with the refs...
Sens continue with their amazing performances in their
relentless pursuit of a playoff berth, come April !!
Out of curiosity, wonder whjat the record of this team
was at after 38 games last season ??
Anyone, including Chirp, able to post the stats ??
Sens continue with their amazing performances, in their
relentless pursuit of a playoff berth, come April !!
Out of curiosity, wonder what the record of this team
was at after 38 games last season ??
Anyone, including Chirp, able to post the stats ??
That Lehner debacle was hilarious lol.
Happy New Year!
2012 is shaping up to be a great year....
GO SENS!
Yes all 5 were his. He was dropping way too early and left a 5 hole the size of a truck available. Guys like Palmeri will take advantage of that opportunity everytime. As far as the brawl he was too little too late.
At the begining of the video you can see the goalie's leg and he is way out to try and engage into the brawl but then back out
If Bryan Murray was being completely candid he doesn't mind Robin's trip to the other end of the ice to help, especially at 5-1.
Note: @ Rookie Camp Bryan goes over to the boards in street shoes, stands beside Lehner and his eyes just sparkle looking up at his big goalie of the future!
Here is the stat I found for you via Ottawasenators. com (archives)
At December 31st of last season we were 16-18-5 = 37 PTS, this year 19-15-5 = 43 PTS after 39 Games played.
ANSWER :
Did some checking to answer my own question, and here are
the results of my search, on the Senators first 39 games,
last year versus this season's 39 games:
Last year 16-18-5 under Cory Clousto
This tear 19-15-5 under Paul MacLean
After 82 games last year, they won 32 - 40 -10 = 74 points
After 82 games this year ................................
With 43 games to play, they should win 22-26 games, to gain
a berth in the April Stanley Cup Playoffs !!
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your efforts ,and I posted the same results a few minutes later a couple of posts down !!
Assuming we do make the plays offs in that 6th-8th seed, my question would be then.. Who would we want to play that would at least give us a shot at moving past the first round, or taking that top seed to a 6th or 7th game..?
Premature but I'd definitely would rather face the Panthers or the Rangers in the first round. Rather not face the defending champs out of the gate or the Pens or the Flyers.
I figure you need 5 wins at least from a backup from here on out, Auld won't provide those.
i disagree, i like auld. his stats might not show it but i think he is doing a good enough job as a backup that doesnt play much
I disagree here. The Rangers are a better team than people will give them credit for, and they have gone through a couple years of playoff upsets. I think they are poised for a long playoff this year. The Panthers are a different story but not having made the playoffs in a long time means they will unpredictable and more fired up than most 1st round opponent. Same with Winnipeg if they squeeze in.
If I had a choice, I would opt for a Crosby-less Pittsburgh or a New Jersey.
And definitely not Boston or Philly.
But who's kidding who. Playoffs are still a long way down and we are still an "if" team unless we build a solid cushion in the 4th or 5th place..
as to whether or not, we are on track to qualify in April!
Since 10 of those games are Away Games, the challenge is even more demanding.
So, if we can finish January, with 8 wins out of the 14 games, or around 60%, we have a good chance !!!
Minimizing our injuries is a key factor also.
We need complete effort by all our players, and no more
shots that ring of posts, but rather lady luck ones, that find the bottom of the net !!!!!!!!!!!
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!
However, the team still needs to improve to make the playoffs. Last season 8th place in the East had 93 pts, which means we need another 50 in 43 games. At the moment we are on pace for about 88/89 which would have placed us 10th last year.
The games will be more difficult from here on in and some teams that were terrible last year are better and if people are being honest they would expect some of the teams below us at the moment to pass us.
The playoffs are enticing and exciting of course but people shouldn't lose sight of the bigger truth. We are AHEAD of any standard rebuilding schedule and the future looks an awful lot brighter than it did at the start of 2011. I hope Murray stays engaged in the rebuild and if we do move assets at the deadline he isn't crucified for it.
I've loved watching this team this year, long may it continue.
However, the team still needs to improve to make the playoffs. Last season 8th place in the East had 93 pts, which means we need another 50 in 43 games. At the moment we are on pace for about 88/89 which would have placed us 10th last year.
The games will be more difficult from here on in and some teams that were terrible last year are better and if people are being honest they would expect some of the teams below us at the moment to pass us.
Take note, we are getting better, improving each game. Interesting I was trying earlier to figure out what the loss of #55/#17 together and the play of Rundblad cost us point wise...7 points? We still got a 50/50 shot.
Bryan Murray will be influenced into one more move by the SENs true believers...
Note: David R will be a star but he hurt us bad this year.
There is a better chance we get better still and improve, hard to stop a team with heart and never quit attitude, on top of that we have a bunch out with something to prove.
Add they are having fun to boot it just gets better.
those are forces for any team they play to contend with.
if Andersson gets in the zone like he has in some games as well as the rest of the team, there is no stopping us.
making playoffs if you want to seriously raise your expectations consider we might not just squeak into playoffs, we could get into them with authority, the book for this year is not written yet.
The fail people here are alone 100% BM and this team have zero interest in that.
On the money side of things you can bet your ass BM and Melnyk have their eyes on the prize.
rebuild shmebuild, once you reach the playoffs it is anyones game.
Also just getting into playoffs is a huge profit boost regardless of how we do in it.
Here we are, 8th place and still in the playoff hunt. I'm making my call (as if it matters): sens make the playoffs. I will even do one better and say we won't be 8th either. 6th or 7th.
Why? Team is getting better every game as experience is gained. They get blown out and come right back. This never happened last year.
Take note, we are getting better, quote]
Noted. You should take note that Washington, Montreal and Tampa will probably have better records the 2nd half than the first half of the season.
It's going to be difficult for sure. I think we just miss out but don't really care. The place in the standings this season is irrelevant.
What isn't irrelevant is the sort of team Murray and MacLean are building and the sort of hockey we have seen this year. That's something we absolutely have going for us.
Actually you are wrong. Getting knocked out of the playoffs in the first round costs the Sens money. With the way the majority of the contracts are written the player and staff bonuses for getting into the playoffs easily consumes the extra money from gate receipts and TV.
For the same reason from a PURELY financial point of view it is better for the organisation to get to the Stanley Cup Finals and lose them rather than win the cup. Obviously that isn't something you aim for though and I don't think the team purposely tanks to ensure it finishes in 9th rather than 8th. But to make a profit from the season the sens need to get to the 2nd round.