Much like Saturday afternoon in Winnipeg, this one started slow for MacLean’s group and really didn’t look like it was going to be their night.
After a sluggish opening twenty, the Senators seemed to find their legs a little bit, twice hitting the post behind Sabres started Ryan Miller. They hadn’t scored in almost a game and a half on home ice and it was really starting to look like it might not be in the cards on this night.
That was until Erik Karlsson decided he had seen enough.
With Michalek leading the rush shorthanded, the reigning Norris Trophy winner saw a chance to jump into the play and wasted no time. Michalek spotted Karlsson trailing the play, hit him with a perfect pass and Karlsson blew one by Ryan Miller on the short side for his sixth of the season and the first shorthanded goal of his career.
I know this is becoming the norm for Senators fans, but it really is incredible to watch this guy play the game. He is just so good at reading the play and he easily blows by guys with his first couple steps. Karlsson was at his best again on Tuesday night, logging 27:10.
Erik Condra chipped in with an insurance marker, finishing off a terrific shift by putting a loose puck past a flailing Miller.
From that point on it was the Craig Anderson show. Andy stopped everything in sight- making difficult stops look routine and routine stops look like little more than a nuisance. He turned aside 42 shots when it was all said in done, setting the franchise record for most saves in a home ice shutout.
Anderson really is in some kind of zone right now and is making the game look incredible easy. There were times last season, even though he was playing well, where it looked like Anderson was guessing a little bit. I don’t see any of that in his game right now. He just looks so technically sound and is really letting the game come to him.
No time for the Senators to enjoy the win though as they are right back at it tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Game Day post coming in a little bit.
- Where scouts are on any given night doesn’t necessarily mean anything on the trade front but the fact that two Ducks scouts were in Ottawa and a couple Sens guys were in Chicago for the Ducks/Hawks game is certainly interesting. It’s especially interesting when you consider the news I passed along earlier this week that Bryan and Bob Murray are talking. We’ll see where this goes.
- Shawn Simpson of the Team 1200 suggests that Ben Bishop might be a fit in Columbus considering the recent addition of Jarmo Kekäläinen as General Manager. He suggests that Artem Anisimov might be an option for the Senators.
I'd be happy with Anisimov, frankly if we somehow got him as a direct swap for Bishop, I think it'd be a steal...you know he'd light up the rangers every time!
Speaking of goalies, amazing to watch Elliot in St Louis go from 0 to hero back to 0. What a fickle breed goalies are. I'd still love to see us grab Stewart from them, how bout we trade bishop back to them lol....
I also don't see why Columbus would trade Anisimov in that kind of deal considering he was a key piece to the Nash deal. And why would a rebuilding team like Columbus trade an early 2nd round pick for a goalie who is older than and isn't any more proven than the two guys they have there?
Gotta disagree with Shawn Simpson on this one.
Tough one against the Pens tonight...Come on Sens!!! avenge your last lost!!!
I don't know about Anisomov. To me, he's just another wanna-be top 6 guy. We already have too many of them, don't we?
Delusions of grandeur....
I would argue that he is more of a bonified top 6 player than a few of the guys we have in that role currently and he's trending upwards.
Getting him now would be fantastic. he's a big body with a ton of skill.
It really doesnt make sense for Columbus but if the trade is there, you make that deal...
And I dunno about Anisimov. Also Shawn Simpson, although entertaining sometimes, just gives his opinion. I don't think it's based on any kind of fact or insider information.
A great laugh
Well Murray was really trying for the Nash trade. Is it really that delusional to think he might try for Getzlaf or Perry?
In that case, I hope Murray trades for Jordan Eberle, James Neal and Alex Pietrangelo...
Man I hope not.
Don't get your hopes up. All GM's across the league probably try regularly. The same way Murray probably fields calls on Karlsson.
Doesn't mean they are going anywhere.
If anything, its Ryan (going to cost us), Cogliano (worthless) or Koivu (despite decent numbers, that ship has sailed..).
I think it's safe to assume he wont continue playing this way forever which is why some fans feel that it wouldnt be such a bad idea to "sell high", similar theory to Michalek last year. Moving a guy during or right after a career year results in the best return. He sure is playing lights out though.
Imagine Anderson playing this way for us back in the day when we were cup favorites...
Phillips was everywhere, at one point he looked like he was in his 20's. Not sure what Erin's been putting in his lunch box, but damn, he's really picked his game up.
Silfverberg continues to play in all positions on the ice. Hard to believe he only had 14:50 of TOI.
Methot makes me proud I selected my handle when I did. I had said from the time of the trade, he is going to impress people in Ottawa. I just wish the Ref's would stop discouraging his hard play with penalties.
Anderson has been amazing. I really would love for this to continue, but I do fear the day he gets lite up. Not because I think it will affect his game. But because I don't care to read what people start to say when it happens.
Anisimov is a big body, with potential. He would fit in Ottawa, but hard to believe CBJ would let him go at this point.
Anderson is by far our best bargaining chip right now.. My guess is Michalek, Greening, Smith are worth 70-75% of their actual value right now, and Bishop maybe 85-90%. That's how I see it.
All good points. Giving credit where credit is due. Only one missing in your list is Condra. Man I wish he had a true scoring touch cause nobody on the team works harder shift after shift...
Why is this thumbs down... are you people delusional?
I wonder if stalberg would be a good fit in Ottawa. Just getting to that right age, good NHL experience, can play centre and the wing. 20 goals last season with 3rd line minutes
Plus he's swedish
Once again Karlsson's play gave me an erection!
GO SENS GO!
They are going to light up Fleury tonight!
Score will be 6-3!
What do you think the lines will look like for team Sweden next year? And, what about their D?
Alfie plays nets, Karlsson covers all the other positions...and what the hell...let's put Silfver as coach. Works for me.
My list was cut short due to not enough symbols left. Is it just me or has Chirp lowered the amount of words allowed?
Bishop will be traded to a team which has no clear #1 or will not have a #1 soon. Which brings me to NJD - both their goalies are 39+ and while brodeur is still amazing - he will retire at some point. Edmonton is also one. FLA may look like it - but with Markstrom its a different story. Toronto also could be a fit. CBJ has two goalies up and also a good prospect in the system.
for me if we could steal one of edmonton's brand new forwards (MSP) for Bishop straight up they should do it.
We went an embarrasing 0 for 8 last night. And in 8 chances, we managed only 7 of our 31 total shots. For those counting, we are 0 for 14 in our last 3 games. I don't cheer for the Habs, but our PP needs to take a few notes from our nemesis down the highway.
Super happy EK pots a short handed, 1st of his career. But seriously, if that goal didn't get scored when it did, I don't think Condra and the rest of the Sens would have pushed as hard as they did for the insurance goal. And we may have ended up snake bitten once again.
So we got the win and I'm really happy we did, but I'd be even more happy as a fan to see more production. I'm not talking quality chances, because I think we had a few. Just more production overall. But if this is my only concern, I guess it's not too bad.
Daniel-Henrik-Hörnqvist
Eriksson-Zetterberg-Franzen
Landeskog-Backstrom-Alfie
Steen-Berglund-Hagelin/Johansson
Karlsson-Edler
Hedman-Kronwall
Enstrom-Ekman Larsson
Lundqvist
Lindback
Lehner
That's what I'm thinking based on the Swedes playing in the NHL. I'm sure there are some guys over in Europe that could be on that team as well.
three posts on the PPs. the first couple of PPs were pure shit with suicide passes from Gonch. But they figured it out i think. Also, I like Turris and Zib centering the two lines. It leaves Smith to his own role on the 3rd. I think Cond-Turris-Sil f is better too. Greening i think cannot adapt to a top 6 role unless its with spezz. PM should put ZS-Neil-grning back together. That leaves JOB-DaC-Daug. I think Regin may get a second chance with DaCosta for a 3rd line wing role if he comes back soon.
Karlsson fed Alfie with an empty net and he blasted it 100 feet wide.
Zibanejad blasted one off the post and Karlsson has at least another shot that wrang off the post.
The powerplay is getting lots of chances but because of this scoring drought the boys have been going through, they have been gripping their sticks a little too hard.
The other good news on special teams is that our PK is ranked 3rd overall in the league right now. Why isn't anyone talking about that?!
Who has been on the trade rumors on the past 2 years? Who seems disgruntled about being on the trade rumors the past few years? Ryan.
Anaheim seems keen on signing both Perry and Getz and the only way they can afford it if they shed some of that salary, plus they will get more in return for Ryan as he is already a signed player as apposed to a rental in Perry.
Plus if we are scouting them then I dont its either guys since both players have already established themselves as all stars in this league, you already know what you are going to get with both of them.
If we are scouting them then its likely one of their younger players that hasnt exactly proven himself like a Cogliano.
At least there is some logic to Perry/Getzlaf.. . Both guys have expiring contracts and Anaheim doesn't have the budget. The guys you mention are pretty untouchable.
Can't see CBJ giving up Anisimov for all of the reasons above. Plus, I don't think a new GM is going to come in and make that big a move right away. He is going to make small moves to set up the team the way he sees fit. Trading for a goalie when you have two (one that you just got in the summer) makes no sense at all. A rebuild is all about patience.
Shut up Zaphod!
He ad too many Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters last night.
Benoit in and Wiercioch out on Sens D vs Pitt.
Welcome back Benoit!
That and mentally exhausted from snogging Eccentrica Gallumbits, The Triple-Breasted Whore of Eroticon Six all night I'd bet!
Blue Jackets hire Ex Senator Jarmo Kekäläinen as their next GM.
1993-94 GP28 G1 A5 PIM14
Served for eight seasons as the Ottawa Senators' chief European scout and director of player personnel.
David Backes, T.J. Oshie, Alex Pietrangelo, Sami Salo, Andreas Dickell, Chris Phillips, Magnus Arvedson, Chris Neil, Marian Hossa, Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Martin Havlat, Greg Zanon, Antoine Vermette, Anton Volchenkov, Brooks Laich, Tim Gleason and Jason Spezza are all players drafted under Kekäläinen's watchful eye.
*data compiled from multiple other sites, I do not claim to have written any of the above.
I think our rating from the beginning of the season is what keeps people from talking about the lack of power play goals lately. I agree, if you read my post, we are getting quality chances. We just aren't producing.
Karlsson is still young, but I simply don't see him going anywhere but UP. Its such an awesome feeling knowing we have something that every other team and its fans would kill for.
Show me 1 other defensman who can skate end to end, make a scoring chance (or score themselves), and if it goes south, they are all the way back down the ice to stop the counter-attack.
That...ladies and gentlemen, is a special player. His acceleration and hockey smarts are unreal, hes almost too fast for the game.
I didnt get a chance to grow up watching Bobby Orr, but today, I get to watch Erik Karlsson.
http://blogimages.thescore.com/nhl/files/2012/03/karlsson-590x384.jpg
p.s. And I suddenly want a Blizzard! hmm
As for the trades, not sure why all the hate for the suggestions about Perry today. Aside from him and BRyan, there isn't much to be talking to Anaheim about. I still hope they can make this trade happen.
I think at this point it's obvious Murray won't pull a trade by using our prospects for anybody but a superstar.
Why would he. It would be stupid to give up any if our good prospects for some mediocre player since we could just wait till OUR prospects become those mediocre players or better.
The on thing we don't have/need is a superstar winger. And that's what you combine some of our assets in order to acquire
Isn't it obvious after we pushed for Nash?? I thought it was pretty obvious before too but after that it made it kind of stupid to even argue, but somehow people still try to
Murray knew we needed a partner for Karlsson as well as a partner for Spezza. He's got one, now he's trying to get the other.
I think we all know Perry is the best option out there. Murray also isn't stupid and won't make the trade unless perry is willing to sign with us.
People here need to realize there is such a thing as a conditional trade pending a contract extension. They are fairly common. The only time teams acquire expiring contracts, is for playoff runs. Clearly we're not doing that.
Another thing to think about is that our team probably has the best chance of any team getting Perry or any other superstar. We have by far the most tradeable assets.
Idea of Perry or Ryan isn't nearly as far out there as some people are making it out to be
completely satisfied with having a million prospects but no actual elite roster players
or
completely delusional as to what Murray is trying to do
It's not like we are discussing giving away our prospects for Dustin Penner or Alex Kovalev, Perry is a clear blue chip, elite player who still has 7 or 8 years at the top.
really don't know why this hasn't happened yet.
The thing that is questionable with Perry is his foot speed... dunno if the best is yet to come?