While the Bruins have elected to rest the likes of Tim Thomas, Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron, MacLean will go with pretty much a full line up against the Bruins. It sounds as though MacLean gave a few guys the option of resting but they felt it was important to finish the season strong.
While the Sens will have most of their stars in the line up, they will give Craig Anderson the night off. That means Ben Bishop, and his new heritage themed mask, will get the nod in goal.
Erik Karlsson and Filip Kuba both missed what MacLean described as an "optional morning skate" but will be in the line up against the Bruins. Here is how the Sens are expected to line up.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Foligno-Turris-Alfredsson
Smith-O'Brien-Neil
Klinkhammer-Winchester-Condra
Kuba-Karlsson
Phillips-Gonchar
Cowen-Carkner
Anton Khudobin will get the start for the Bruins. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with the game available on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
___________________________________________________________________________
As I mentioned yesterday, I was given a pretty cool opportunity this morning as the Sens organization provided me with media access for tonight's game against the Bruins. That meant I had the opportunity to attend the morning skate, the post practice locker room availability and also means I'll be heading back to watch the game from the press box later tonight.
Amazing to get that kind of recognition from the organization and to have a chance to see how the pros do it.
A little bit about my experience...
After arriving fashionably early, I entered the building to pick up my pass. Told the security guy I was with SensChirp and I was on my way. And by "on my way" I mean lost and not really sure where to go. But rather than walk around with a confused look on my face, I decided instead to walk confidently towards the rink, grab a seat and wait for practice to start.
That's where I made my first mistake. In choosing my seat, I foolishly chose the seats traditionally reserved for Bryan Murray and his staff. We'll call that rookie mistake #1. After getting the heads up from a helpful representative from the Senators, I settled in for the morning skate.
First thing I can tell you is that anticipating the line up based on the morning skate is harder than you might think. The tempo is quick so you have to really be on the ball in order to pick up on the combinations and determine who's out there and who isn't. At one point I was convinced Spezza wasn't out there only to realize I had just missed him in the line rushes. And it took me a good five minutes to realize Karlsson and Kuba were not on the ice.
As a fairly brief morning skate wrapped up, the media contingent began to make their way towards the locker room. Keep a low profile, I kept telling myself. Let the pros do their job and just stay out of the way. And that's what I did, hopping from the Spezza scrum, to Bishop's stall and then to Chris Neil's.
In the chaos of the locker room media availability, my goal was to just not bump into anyone. As I paused briefly to decide my next move, I could hear a voice yelling out, "Loooogooo, Looogooo!". Having heard a little bit about locker room etiquette before this morning, I knew what this meant. Someone had foolishly stood on the Sens logo in the centre of the room.
Only one problem. That fool was me! Rookie Mistake #2.
I quickly stepped aside and looked up to see the all too familiar glare of Chris Neil looking back at me. I've seen that look on television and always thought, man am I ever glad I don't have to encounter that in real life. A quick, "Sorry about that," was met with a friendly nod and a bit of a smile. I had narrowly avoided a confrontation with the Sens toughest player on my first day as media.
From there, the media contingent quickly made their way upstairs to the media room where Coach MacLean would answer questions. "You aren't allowed to step on the stairs either" Ian Mendes joked. I settled in for the coach's address and after the incident in the locker room, decided it might be best for me to skip the question I had planned.
All in all, an overwhelming and humbling experience. While I was only there for part of their day, I can see just how tough it is being in the media. It's fast paced and a heck of a lot harder than it looks.
Now if only I can avoid sitting in someone's seat in the press box tonight, I'll consider the experience a success. For now, I must return to the comfort of my parent's basement.
SensChirp gets punched out by Neal would have been a heck of a heading though : P
Hope you had fun and do this eve!
Definitely a need for both media and "bloggers" I think since bloggers can be openly biased while media types have to at least feign impartiality.
Keep up the great work!
Haha lucky I made it out of there alive. Last night I even reminded myself, if nothing else, just make sure you don't step on the damn logo!
I've chirped people at SBP for stepping on the logo outside!
Who do you want Ottawa to play in the playoffs:
the New York Rangers or the Boston Bruins. I personally prefer the rangers because they aren't the defending champs.
(reposting this cause I posted this on the other page about 3 minutes before the new SC post came up)
Enjoy your experience.... one that none of us will have the privilege of having... we envy you...
Go Sens.. last game we seen them live before game 3 of the playoffs.. hope the fans in attendence give them a good send off at the end of the game...
Another way of putting it is who would the BRUINS like to face in the playoffs... the Sens or the Caps or the Sabres?
(Post #11 - sweet!)
Since we're just reposting stuff:
I think it was Yoda who first said: Matters not who we play, only HOW we play that matters.
Sometimes I think Mendes gets dangerously close in his Overtime segments. That guy must always be at the rink. Glad you got a chance to be a part of it and here's hoping for more in the future! Lord knows Brennan and Garrioch only have theirs because of seniority
Please tell me you are joking about your parents basement.
You know...If the SENS don't win the cup this year, it will have nothing to do with the team and everything to do with you stepping on the logo!
Why didn't you just start a flipping go leafs go chant while you were stepping on the logo?
Haha...I'm sure it's not the first time and it sure won't be the last!
This is it boys and girls! Exactly one week from now we'll be here in wracked nervous anticipation of not a game day Sens vs. Bruins post but a PLAYOFF GAME DAY post for Sens vs. Bs.
Holy shit, it still hasn't fully sunk in!
We spent our fare share of time this season trying to come up with good nicknames for some of our players. Too bad we never had it so easy as with the Bruins goaltender.
OBI-WAN KHUDOBI.
Let's hope he is shitting his trousers tonight and that the Force is not with him. At all.
Haha yes. Just poking fun at the traditional "blogger" reputation.
I 100% disagree with you, but if Paulrus can convince our team that you're right, that the Bruin's disrespect us and want to throw a game to get us round one? I'll take that!
Did you overhear any "reporter" talking about the "bloggers" being there?
Yeah Mendes, Gordie Wilson and even Dean Brown are all clearly fans but they do come over as professional. To me, there's a difference between being the "home town" broadcaster and doing a national broadcast.
Dean-o is quite different when he's doing HNIC.
the main stumbling block with Boston playing the Sabres in round 1 is that it's impossible for the Sabres to get in position 7.
Stepping on the logo eh.
You should have pulled a Homer Simpson and said "It's my first day" ... oh wait it was your first day.
Good read, I wish I could have seen Chris Neil's look. He is the heart and soul of the team and definitely can see him taking it to heart when you step on the logo. Much like Stifler in Goon (the movie)
Good luck tonight. I would just stand in the Media box with a beer. Look casual. Don't whistle, and don't wear pants that make that wooshing sound when you walk. I heard Murray fired the last guy that did that.
That's what I thought too. Maybe I'll have to pay up tonight.
1. that without thomas, chara, bergeron the bruins are not so bulletproof.
2. secondly if the sens can try and make kudobin look like an utter disaster in net, then thomas becomes Boston's single line of defence from a goalie disaster. And if luck prevails from the senators last 1-0 win against thomas, then in due time (1 week) the sens should make Tim Thomas want to change careers and run for U.S president...hey he can still try and get on the republican ballot.
but sens need to watch out tonight too, Boston probably will try to get some licks.
i think outside of Tim Thomas' x-factor, Ottawa can go head to head with Boston. There is just one small difference, Boston is a relentless on the forecheck and requires constant vigilance to avoid mishaps. The sens have the tools to beat Boston, they just have to make sure they use all the tools at all the right times.
the only thing that bugs me going into a series against Boston: the senators PP. it has been a downright abomination all of a sudden and the game against Carolina was lost on the PP where the sens got tons of PP and didnt do anything on it.
there was a time when Ottawa would feat on the PP, but they seem to overthink it now more than anything and ruin it by their own actions. If the sens can get that PP back to early season deadliness in a hurry, thats one more area where the matchup against Boston gets better.
That is a bit of a stumbling block. So much for my point.
Don't forget OUR x-factor. Anderson is perfectly capable of absolutely standing on his head and stealing games as well. If he in *ON* then Round 2 will be *ON*.
\m/ *mosh* \m/
And the logo thing.. How could you!
Your parents are pretty generous with that allowance! :)
Haha well I was in the area where he usually sits. There is actually only the one section for media. Logo thing I can't justify. I was a deer in the headlights in there and just trying not to get in anyone's way.
I would have barfed all over it with nerves so I think you did alright.
So what was the question you wanted to ask anyhoo?
MAtches the number on his arms and back. ;)
anyways tonight we'll see boston's backup for the playoffs... i just found out he's from Kazakhstan isn't that where borat was supposed to be from? maybe a "borat" chant would get on his nerves.
Its gonna be a great preview cant wait for tonight.
Its the number of goals hes gonna let in all of next season
Pretty sure Nabakov was born there... they are all trained and play in Russia anyways. He'll be better than Theissen from Pitts. PMcGuire said hes a really good goalie technically.
Way better than arguing over BPA for the draft or whether we should tank or not!
BTW - as per the article on Big Ben's mask - those vertical lines are going to make him look like a mega barber pole! Love it!
GSG!!!!
ohhhh boy...a moment of stupidity on my part.
haha, I was only having fun. I have those moments every hour of every day
Key is to relax and think/act like you have been there 3568 times before. Looking forward to the second act
You'll never live that one down man, they'll probably rib you about it in the pressbox tonight. At least you had a good time and i'm sure you'll continue to have a great time at the game tonight.
My advice, if it's Garrioch giving you a hard time say "Guess I made a BooBoo" and see if he gets it.
LOL rookie mistake its all good !
congrats chirp, happy that u had fun
I'd ask him if he's an "expert" personally. :)
You should have told Neil..."Hey I'm SensChirp, I stand where I want to stand!" haha OK maybe not.
Enjoy yourself tonight but I have some bad news for you. There is no Wisers in that press box haha
I'm loving that new Bishop mask. The artist did an amazing job. Can't wait to see it live.
Doesn't it seem like the Sens logo is upsidedown on the top? *boggles into thin air*
At this point I'd rather listen to that bias idiot over at NESN but even the internet isn't providing our game.
We can easily lose our final 2 games and the Caps are fighting for the division and are leading Florida already tonight
Like your style amigo! I'll have a drink to you now.
0 shots, and a Combined -3
Line 2
3 shots
0 good comments
200 irrelevant whiny bitchy comments
michalek and foligno best players in the league hands downnnn crosby qnd malkin have nothin on them
too bad spezza actauly has a shot on net and drew a PP.
annoying useless morons 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDkQU0nRn1A
LOOL random much?
but i actually like that song, anyone know the name
Soooooo bored right now dude. I'm feeling very anxious, want shit to start rolling soon. And for Murray to obviously "make the call." That Scotiabank song feels so heart warming, I just had to share that. Sportsnet plays it a lot.
same man. its pretty quiet around here right now, where is everyone. did chirp bring everyone as guests to his press box?
Not rootin for losses, just sayin'.
1 shot on net (spezza)
Line 2
5 shots on net
Line one is a joke, Michalek and Greening once agan sitting with zero shots on net, useless line for spezza
We need to change the top line and the PP
Or we will continue to get pumped and shut out
Still some MAJOR work to be done in the top 6 in the off season
Our top 6 is pathetic
In saying that though, my preference would be to see the Sabres in the playoffs over the Caps, which would make us face the Bruins. The Buffalo thing though is just because I much prefer them to the Caps, who I hate.
guess you should be on the 1st line then cuz ur a joke
you are seriously pathetic.. do you really think our team has a reason to go 100% tonight? we put similar effort in the canes game and expect the same on devils game and maybe even less if we actaully bench the stars. no need to play full risking injuries *knock on wood*, its a meaningless game.
and cowen is a pussy, a guy that big should be throwing his body around and intimidating people
** SWEEEEEET A PP......
we always capatalize on these key moments in the game...
sorry moe i have to disagree, the reason hes putting out the stars is because they want to finish off the year on a high note
if ours is pathetic i dont know what you would consider the 14 teams that DIDNT make the playoffs
Karlsson gets his 78th point! LET'S GO BOY!
SPEZZZZZA
one of our only good players
i understand that. but look at all the teams playing it smart. boston rested their key guys. philly resting some of theirs. do i need to remind people of the tampa game kovalev got injured in, the very last game of the season.
and oh yea zipshit, spezza is useless just 2 shots on net.. for a goal. quality, not quantity.
This comment proves that you have nothing constructive or intelligent to say.
-Jared Cowen is 18th overall in the NHL in hitting this season.
-He is 2nd in rookie hitting behind Emelin.
-He is 2nd on the Ottawa Senators in hitting behind Chris Neil.
-He has 2 fights in the regular season.
He is also a ROOKIE playing his first season in the NHL. Notice how most rookies aren't really as tenacious or physical as they were in Jr? They typically take a year or two to get that comfort level in the Big leagues before getting that mean streak.
Because the Celtics have the building next Wed. and Fri. any Boston opponent will play Thurs. and Saturday.
(Attaboy Spezz!)
oh i see what ur saying now, i agree, and i never had a chance but id like to say thanks for all those prospect updates
What do you mean "our", Leafs fan ?
It's hard for me to disagree with this. Don't get me wrong, I love the Sens and will always root for them to win. That will never change. But the Boston Bruins are a very admirable hockey team. They're solid from top to bottom. The New York Rangers have been those teams that for some reason the Sens just play very well against.
This season alone has been amazing, and making the playoffs is the cherry on top. I've been so proud of the team that I couldn't care less if they get swept in the first round. But one has to salivate at the prospect of playing a team that the Sens have played very well against especially on the road. I honestly think that if we drew the Rangers in the first round we would win.
were in the playoffs no matter what, but we do
I just like what I see out of Lehner and his intensity and effort level. He's a little bit more scrambly and his positioning isn't as good as Bishop's, but I find I am much more confident when the play is in the Sens zone with Lehner in the net.
the pleasure is mine.
who is this khudobin guy?? a 7th round of the minny wild in 04 from Kazakhstan. wish we could draft a european goalie that late to be maybe a steal 5 or 6 years down the road.
side note: wow minnesota can draft goalies, Johan Gustafsson (6th roudn) from this years sweden WJC. matt hacket(3rd), harding(2nd) and undrafted nick backstrom.
LOL i bet u that this khodobin guy isnt even that good but bostons goalies always seem to play good against us
Really hope we can drop to 8th and take on the Rangers in the first round. I'd much rather take my chances with Hank than Tim Thomas.
I've heard Murray speak of bringing over Zibby and Silfverberg for the playoffs, but when exactly? Silfver would take longer as his team is in the playoffs but when would Mika join? Any ideas?
the same reason phillips plays on the pp.
*no logical answer*
edit: shit they scored.
MacLean snapped on an icing call, wasnt even about the refs, which called a good game tonight.
Good on Paul for showing something, our boys sure didnt, only 1 goal on Khubodin?? WTF??
oh well, lets go sens!
maybe it would be the right way if he stood on his head
Ottawa could play Bruins or Rangers
Caps could play Bruins, Devils or Rangers
Jersey could play Florida or Caps
Florida could play Bruins, Devils or Rangers
tiebreakers may come into play but its very undetermined who plays who.
At this point I'd rather draw up against the Rangers and have the Devils play the Panthers and the Caps vs Bruins.
Head to Head
Ottawa (3w) - Rangers (1w + OVL)
NJD (2w = OTL) - Panthers (2w + OTL)
Caps (3w) - Bruins (1w + OVL)
And we all know the Penguins and Flyers are going to hammer the living shit out of each other in a 7 game series with the ultimate winner becoming a 2nd round loser to the SENS!!!
HOW CAN FLORIDA MEET BOSTON FIRST ROUND.
PRETTY SURE FLORIDA EITHER FINISHES 3RD OR 8TH.
We have tie breaker vs panthers so panthers cant play bruins, def gunna make for a
Wild saturday tho!
exactly....nj is 6th
Dude it happens man. Milan's streaky. But on nights when he does strike, he gives the people a reason why he was drafted in 1st round. Murray should be arranging to have them arrive some time this weekend it's gonna be epic.
as I qualified - "I don't know tiebreakers" so I didn't know who won tirbreaker between Sens and Panthers - if Sens and Panthers lose and caps win Sens are tied with 92 pts so - again, not knowing tiebreaker Sens could have finished 8th and PAnthers 7th - hence a first round Boston vs Panthers series
Practically no hitting.. the little bitch Campbell (who is protected by Daddy) did a bit of running around...
The Bruins goalie played really well or did the Sens make him look him look that way..
Bishop looked a little rusty... and I to favor Lehner over Bishop.... but it is what it is.
Do you think that perhaps the Sens consider, if there is a good D in the draft.. trading Bishop with the 1st round pick to move up to get another potential franchise defensemen?
With Anderson signed for 3 more years... Bishop signed for 1 and Lehner on the way... What would they do?
Should read some of the comments on TSN especially from the Leaf fans... this game means the Sens are going to get spanked in the playoffs... Bruins fans say they would prefer to play the Sens rather than the Caps as the Sens can't physically play with the Bruins... really? I guess they did not watch some of the games this season.
Good on McLean to go off on the Refs.. There has been so much garbage the Sens have put up with this year.. it's about time he spoke his mind.
Please go back to your street corner on Dalhousie turning tricks with clergymen and cub scout leaders! STFU!