Full marks to the Senators for not quitting in this one.
With the Leafs up 5-2, the Sens kept grinding away and were able to close the gap to one with a couple minutes to play. Ottawa had a couple chances to tie the game in the final minute but Reimer was able to hang on. Again, the effort level was good for the Sens but this was a rare night where goaltending was there undoing. Considering the way Anderson, Lehner and Bishop have played this season, I'd say they're entitled to a mulligan.
While the Battle of Ontario has been realtively tame in recent years, there was plenty of physical stuff early on.
In the first, David Dziurzynski squared off in his first NHL fight and it did not end well for the Saskatchewan native. Frazer McLaren caught him with a strong right hand that knocked the Senator out. Dziurzynski had to be helped off the ice and was not surprisingly diagnosed with a concussion. Only a couple minutes later, Chris Neil dropped the gloves with Colton Orr, with the Neil getting the decision.
It did little for the Sens though as they found themselves in a 2-0 hole before the game was 8 minutes old. Ottawa just didn't look ready to play to start this one. Terribly soft in their own end and outraced to pucks all over the ice. The Senators were not good enough in the opening 20.
Not much better to start the second either as James Van Riemsdyk scored just 1:20 in to stretch the Leafs lead to 3-0. Mika Zibanejad would reply for the Senators though as he buried a loose puck on a delayed penalty. The goal was Zibanejad's 5th of the season. The Senators controlled the play for the remainder of the period but could not get another one by Leafs starter James Reimer.
Zack Smith scored early in the third, his first goal in 37 games by the way, to give the Senators life but a power play goal by Phil Kessel quickly took the wind out of the visitors. Kadri would stretch the Leaf lead to three and from that point on it was all Senators.
The loss sucks but this is an effort that Sens fans can be proud. They refused to quit in the third period and were a bounce away from completing a miraculous comeback.
The Sens are off tomorrow and will travel to New York to take on the Rangers on Friday night.
- Some good news on the injury front prior to puck drop tonight as word is Jason Spezza has been cleared for increased physical activity. While the Sens did not set a date for his return just yet, GM Bryan Murray says he is about 2-3 weeks away. Great news for Ottawa.
- There are few things as Canadian as Stompin' Tom Connors. The Canadian legend passed away today at the age of 77. Stompin' Tom is best known for The Hockey Song, which is a tune just about every hockey fan can sign a line from. RIP Stompin' Tom.
The return of Michalek, I must admit really helped. Probably the best game I've ever seen him play in a Sens uniform. Mark Stone doesn't look too too far from being an NHL regular, and Zibanejad looks like a sixth overall pick to me.
The guys really played their tail off and we should be proud. They just never quit.
Turris- I don't know. The guy has been knocking on the door since Spezza left and is actually playing well, but just can't buy a goal.
As this team gets healthier, we WILL get better. The fact that we're even in playoff contention is astounding.
Bishop.... his play speaks for itself.
Again i kinda missed our boy Jimmy OB tonight. He really doesn't deserve to be a scratch.
I will always support this team. GO SENS GO
Added an element of skill that the forward group has desperately missed.
Yeah Michalek looked really fired up. The type of effort we were all starving to see pre-injury.
Also loved Alfie, Zibanejad, Regin, and Silfverberg. Silfverberg's skill is just so evident is amazing. Such adept puck skills.
Interesting you would include Regin. Played a team low 8:17. Seemed to lose his spot in the top six once Smith moved up.
loved zibby's game, improving every time he is out there, lead forwards with 5 hits and matched turris and condra for 0 giveaways and 1 takeaway.
although im not sure what is counted as a giveaway at times since i noticed both turris and zib give it away especailly on i believe kadri's goal by zib.
The addition of Michalek was definitely much needed. Now hopefully Turris can step his game up a bit and we may be able to stay in contention by the months end...
"Bud the spud
from the bright red mud
rollin' down the highway
smilin' ....."
i also liked stone for the few offensive chances he got, didnt notice any major problems. needs to use his big body infront of the net to get the dirty goals. i think he needs to finish the year in bingo as soon as we get healthy bodies here like JOB, latendresse, spezza.
"Had it been the UFC, McLaren would have won knockout of the night bonus."
I know they're the Toronto Sports Network, but really, what kind of "news" is this.
RIP Stompin Tom.
That was by far and away the best game Smith played all season. He was skating well, finishing checks, and the goal has to take some of the weight off of his shoulders. He needs to play with that kind of energy every night.
Great to see #9 back in the line-up. He adds skill, size and speed to our top 6 that we really need. I hope his knees hold up because he's such a big part of this team.
Alfie looked awesome tonight, and Stone played well for his first NHL game. All in all a great effort by the boys and if it wasn't for shakey goaltending and a bad 5 minute stretch in the 1st we would have left ACC with 2 points tonight.
Goaltenders aren't going to be lights out every night. Doesn't matter who the tender is, they all have bad games.
Regin is too soft to play how he wants to play in the top 6.
He is physically weaker on his skates than any top 4 defender at its frequently evident. For a guy that has been a professional for this long it remains the biggest hole in his game.
And we think no more of Inco on a Sudbury Saturday night.
Farewell to Stompin' Tom from a Sudbury native.
cant wait for andy to come back, the team just looks VERY different with andy holding down the fort. he gives the team this amazing confidence and energy boost with huge consistent saves.
Not many goalies in the NHL develope this ability, only other goalies with this characteristics in todays game are probably rinne, price, lundqvuist altho hes having a crappy season.
I do not see bishop having this ability to feed the team energy, however i believe lehner does. we saw what he did to bingo last year and i know he can do it here very soon.
Didn't see much from Silfvberg, except 1 little play where he was playing takeaway along the boards, otherwise he did not generate any scoring chances today barring his usual perimeter shots.
hawks tied at 2-2 and get the leading goal and game winner with 49 seconds to go.
R.I.P Stompin' Tom
Bishop was leaky - eyes on being the pope maybe tonight? the 4-2 and 5-2 goals were backbreakers, but awesome rush to make it 5-4.
i think the sens could have used a guy like Hamrlik tonight.
one improvement on the PP: much more prolonged stays in the offensive zone. next step is to get the bombs going and score one.
thought stone looked good, used his size well.
Regin - alas, i think the ship has sailed. today all senators centremen had a bevy of wingers available to make chemistry with, regin unfortunately is just not able to create.
i think Silf needs to sit one.
This is nothing compared to playoff hockey and Neil can't do it all
I hope they bring JOB back next game in place for Regin. Kid just has a serious lack of strength.
the best man in Ottawa
was Mufferaw Joe"
Rest in Peace Stompin' Tom
oh and zbad looks to be getting better and better as every game goes by!
Also, Silfverberg probably is getting privileged minutes, for whatever reason, and I think he could use a sit. (they won't though because of the need for goals and his skill set) He just needs to simplify and take the puck to the net.
Michalek was on fire. He was a man on a mission, he never stopped skating or busting his tail. I thought he had a great game.
He doesn't look like an NHL player right now.
I was blown away that Coach Mac had him in to take the draw with 3.5 seconds left. He was owned in the faceoff circle all night.
I know he's playing against other teams top lines-but Turris has to be better.
Why not throw MZ93 in to take the draw?!? Or hell even Regin.
I was impressed with the fight though, MM9 was dangerous all night.
Brutal quick whistle at the end! So just b/c the ref admits to "losing sight" he gets a free pass?!
OHHH the NHL, they always keep it interesting don't they?
unfortunately, Turris has been garbage and as one of the more experienced NHLér on this team, he doesn't get a pass. He looks like he has settled nicely into his slump and accepted it. His minutes need to be scaled back large, give someone else a chance to go against the better lines.
I must say, if he can't play without the freedom Spezza gives the other lines, he isn't that useful. Spezza will in all likelihood miss 10-15 games a year for the rest of his career. If your 2LC also becomes useless during that time, what good is he? To his credit he seemed to start competing at the end there a bit but overall he is outmatched and way too easy to play against.
Michalek's mobility sure didn't seem affected by his knee. Great game by him!
I have been impressed with Phillips...has played much better than last year. Gonchar looked better as well no night. Gryba seemed good but was a second behind in a couple of decisions that cost us.
Stompin Tom was interviewed awhile back and said the Sens started playing it at games, then the Leafs picked up on it and started playing it as well, and it took off from there. pretty cool and very surprising that it wasn't played immediately after it came out 20 years prior to the Sens using it.
here is the link if anyone is interested;
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/stompin-tom-connors-creator-hockey-song-dies-77-020715880--nhl.html
I hope PMac is going to drill it into Zibby's head that he has got to shoot first and pass later. He had at least two amazing opportunities to shoot and he passed it (and gave it away). These were after his goal, so one would think that he would have been inclined to shoot. Regardless, he had a great game.
Although Bishop let in a few softies, he has been amazing for us. People quickly forget this guy has been stopping 40+ shots on a regular occassion.
The fact we are even in the playoff discussion is a testament to this team's talent, work ethic and top notch coaching. We are missing our superstars and we are still in the top 8. Stop bitching so much and appreciate what we have. We could be the Columbus or Calgary of the NHL!!
I was ice level at the game last night and noticed a few things
1- Turris played very soft. He got knocked off the puck very easily and he always tries to go wide. Easy to contain
2- Before every faceoff Turris is always talking to the linesman. I'm not sure if this just normal convo, but maybe this is why he is always thrown out
3- I've been calling out Zach Smith for a while, and I'm glad I got to see him breakout offensively. He was excellent, but as many said here already Michalek was the key on that line. He got the puck into the corners and cycled brilliantly. That line moved to Michalek's pace
4- Bishop was awful. And I am not over exaggerating. He did not know where any rebound was, and he just seemed slow
5- Regin didn't play the 3rd at all I dont think, Safe to say he has lost his spot in the top 6
to be cont!
7- Leaf fans are idiots for standing up and cheering while Dzuirzynsky laid on the ice. And as he laid there a go leafs go chant broke out. So classless. At least the leaf fans in my area were classy enough to know that the result was horrible and a reason why staged fighting is useless in the sport
Finally
8- Stone played well, through his body around, and played very big. He was strong on the puck, and if he can find the holes at NHL level like he was able to at the WHL and WJHC level he will be a great player. His skating, although not the quickest, seemed to be good enough to skate a regular shift in my eyes
Haven't read anything..but what a brutal commentator
Two of the toughest guys on the team?!?!!??! REALLY??
Guess MacLean will start Lehner, and revamp the line combinations, similar to adjustments he made in 3rd period:
Michalek - Smith - Alfredsson
Stone - Zibanejad - Neil
Greening - Turris - Silfverberg
The above produced 3 goals in that 3rd period ( Alfie, Smith, Greening )
I agree Turris has been a big disappointment. He added some size over the summer but still gets pushed around. Regin the same .. Send Regin down
Id much rather have
karlsson-methot
ceci-cowen
gryba-weircoch
for years to come over rundblad in there. (he would have to be top 4)
Turris will come around and he isn't a bust, hes just not ready for heavy minutes, and he needs to be sheletered behind Spezza
You kidding me, Gryba was directly responsible for two goals and was out of position on numerous occasions. Wire was so soft, had several chances to be first on puck and opted not too. Size is irrelevant if you don't use it. Benoit had a real solid game, joined the rush and crept in back door several times, gotta start getting him the puck in those situations.
Agreed.
Benoit has been one of our most consistent D since he's been called up.
Loved his game in Bingo, love his game in Ottawa. Good 2-way D with hockey smart.
"That's what McLaren does and it was definitely good for Dziurzynski to step up but I don't know if that was the best tradeoff," said Smith. "He's a big guy but it's just unfortunate he put himself in that situation.
Players know fighting exists in the game, but this staged fighting is non sense.
furthermore
"I was just trying to get us going early. I asked him (to fight) and he actually said no, so I thought we weren't going to go and then he ended up dropping his stuff there when the puck dropped," he said. "He's a big guy and he actually gave me a few good ones early there.
"It was just a lucky punch. It happens some times."
To me this sounds a lot like Dzuirzinsky felt like he needed to go because he wants to prove his NHl capabilities
Foolish
I agree, I don't think he is a "bust" but he has been really disappointing. I didn't expect him to be a point per game guy in his first real top line centre role but I did expect him to score here and there and compete, which I don't see him doing enough of.
He still has a ways to go to prove he can be a valuable contributor to this team as a 2LC and more importantly, someone who can step up when Spezza is out.
Looked like they took a detour to Dieppe on the way. Spotting a team of munchkins like the Leafs a 5-2 lead is shameful.
Anyone see SEL wunderkind Jakob Silfverberg recently? I heard he was going to dominate the NHL...sure didn't last night.
Ah well, Rangers are crappy. Beat them this weekend BOY-Os!
TOOKIE100% OUT!
Wow! What short memory we have... after the first five games everyone was all about how wonderful Turris was... how he was the 2C we always needed... blah... blah...
And now, with Spezza out, and him being asked to play a much bigger role and he's struggling, we "lost" the trade? He's suddenly a "bust"?
Some of the posters on here are worse than leafs fans...
Knee-jerk reacting at its best.
Wow Snoop, this has to be your best post EVER!! I am 100% in favour with this...
Turris should be given a lesser role, stick him back in 2C or even drop him to 3C, let him find his game back where he is comfortable.
4 straight L's, need to change things up, to me its obvious, those 3rd period line should be what we see in NY.
Give the ice time to guys who DESERVE it.
Bottom line is that Turris needs a big body, puck controlling guy on his line. Lats would be the perfect fit, if only he could play atleast 80% of the games.
And now, with Spezza out, and him being asked to play a much bigger role and he's struggling, we "lost" the trade? He's suddenly a "bust"?
Some of the posters on here are worse than leafs fans...
100% agree, it's way to hard to read sometimes.
I don't understand the fairweather fans in Ottawa. That's the number one thing i hear from "outsiders". I love the team and I love the game no matter what.
Big ups to our boys for playing hard, they will all get theirs!
Go Sens Go!
For those of you calling him a bust, soft, a pussy, or saying you would rather have Rundbland, well wake the hell up and get a clue.
You can't underestimate how difficult it is for some of these guys being forced out of their element. Same goes for Silfverberg. The guy isn't ready to play the minutes he is playing against the other teams top checkers and top defenders.
The reality of the situation is we don't have anyone that can log the minutes that Michalek, Spezza, Karlsson and Cowen play, so guys like Turris, Silfverberg, Gryba and Wiercioch are forced into that role, and in my opinion they are doing their best.
To me this is just a fight, you win some you lose some. Both were willing combatants and McLaren got a good punch in, its not the first time we've seen this and it most certainly wont be the last. Its a crucial event in a game that can change the whole momentum. Hence why the Leafs got up 3-0.
I hate people who complain about fighting, those guys go out there and lay on the line for they're teammates. Dont like it when they fight, change the channel.
Here is Bryan Murray:
Sens GM Murray: "I don't like those (staged) fights. I don't mind emotional fights, but there was no particular reason for that one."
I'm getting the sense that Maclean does not want staged fights on his team, which is why DD said no at firts to going, but he probably felt the "code" dictated him to say yes
Really unfrotunate to lose a good young player like this
Dziurzynski was clearly just trying to provide a spark for the team and I commend him for that, but that isn't his job.
Unfortunately we only have Neil that can be that guy and it's not fair to expect him to fight every night. We need another banger like Neiler who can actually play hockey. I'm not asking for a goon like Orr, but a guy like Neil, Prust, Dorsett is desperately needed on this team, or better yet, a David Clarkson.
Are these guys having a difficult time, yes, however let's not just have a fire sale on all of our young guys to bring in older, overpaid players looking for a quick fix.
I guess it's just the typical Sens fan who is very short sighted. They have been doing it to every star player in this city, including Alfie.
I don't mind fighting, but like Murray says these staged fights are just stupid
Good thing we don't get this:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/watch-fight-between-lnah-francis-lessard-sebastien-laferriere-170317905--nhl.html
hahahahaahhah everyone has to watch that
I havent busted Turris' balls yet for being invisible, I understand what your trying to say but instead of "being forced" wouldnt they (the players) see it as a GREAT opportunity to show management what they can do.
I dont think Turris is making the best of this great chance, he's either incapable of elevating his game or is just a regular 2C and playing 1C minutes is draining him.
I dont think when Spezza and Karlsson went down, Wier, Turris and co. looked at it as being forced, Im sure they embraced the chance, they just failing at it right now.
Of course he will say that, his guy just got dummied! He's not gonna come out and say "Well, DD gave it his best, better luck next time" haha
Murray wouldnt have said those comments would have DD won the fight. He's playing the victim, every GM does when things dont go their way.
This is really a non issue, lets talk about something more at the heart of our 4 game losing streak...Turris and Silf, two top line guys, playing tons of minutes and not producing.
Thank you for the kind words Tookie !!
You truly surprised me .
But it is an issue, try and find me a time this year that the Sens have been involved in a staged fight?
Ever think there is a reasn Murray didn't re-sign Konopka or Carkner?
Perhaps Maclean doesn't like these players wasting time in the box
1) How's that ignore button coming along? You seriously need to consider it.
2) Now with O'Reilly off the market, Weiss out for the season, Briere stating he isn't going anywhere, and Iginla heating up for the Flames, have you heard any new names that Murray has interest in?
I think we should drop Turris back to third line for a bit and take the pressure off him to score.
And not re-singing Carkner was a big mistake, wouldnt you agree, we are missing that element of the game and poor Neiler has to clean up everything. Konopka I could care less about, he was a punching bag but Carkner was the Heaveyweight Champ.
Teams dont fear us, they dont have to acocunt for when our tough guys are on the ice and they can take runs at us, knowing nobody will respond.
A big reason we were successful was because our guys felt protected, they knew someone had they're back, now its defend yourself.
Agree with you on Turris who was on Line 3 with Greening and Silfverberg for part of the Leafs game last night.
Will probably see it again vs Rangers on Friday !
I don't agree. Had we been healthy we would have had no room for Carkner especially at that salary
I don't find Neil has had to clean up any messes this year and I really can't think of times players took liberty with the sens?
Your saying McLaren took liberty with DD yesterday cause Carkner wasn't around?
Yeah thats insane, doesnt matter who the F you are, if you dont score in 20 games, your hurting your team, he really needs to go back to 2C or even 3C to get going.
20 games, damn!
Several teams already have taken runs at our players, knowing we are soft. Thats a fact. With Carks around that shit didnt fly.
Not saying McLaren took advantage of DD, they went at it willingly. But yeah DD kinda got sucked in, even if he wanted to, he probably shouldnt.
Its a mentality thing, DD didnt know better, Neil or Carks know when to fight.
Had DD taken his offensive zone face off, perhaps forechecked hard, laid a solid hit and create a scoring chance, Im pretty sure Alfie and Turris would have been like
"alright our turn! lets do this"
Rather than having to see a teammate helped off the ice, a guy with 10 games experience and Alfie and Turris saying
"christ that sucks, ok lets try and regroup here, lets do ti for Dave!! but man I hope hes gunna be ok, he dind't look very good"
Don't really wanna get into a back and forth, but please tell me an exact time this year you felt we were bullied around on the ice? Or felt people were taking shots at our team?
Cooke? maybe but that was a freak play
Yeah and that staged fight was the difference in the game if you think about it.
Momentum is a game changer.
Has he scored? No but to suggest he isn't generating chances is inmacurrate. He's had some terrific chances and/or created some terrific chances they just have wound up in the net. Obviously wasn't his best game but think back to the early years with Spezza or even 2 years ago where he regularly turned over the puck unncessarily.
He may never be a #1, that certainly doesn't make him a bust.
Same deal with pw46, Silf etc...funny how some posters seem to think JOB is the savior, guy has heart and wheels but he's certainly not a high end player and realistically he never will be.
Regin on the other hand has had enough time to understand the pro game, has the skill but the strength of a 13 year old girl.
How was that a game changer
If you were at the game, you would have seen that the crowd went dead quiet for the msot part, everyone was scared for DD
then 3 minutes later Neil got the better of Orr in a fight. They hugged alot but Neil threw and landed more
So wouldn't that have then changed the momentum back?
Or I'm sorry all the Leafs were skating around saying "fuck it, we got these guys, Alfie and Turris have ntohing on us because we just knocked the fuck out of their 10 game rookie!!!!!!!!"
"LETS GOOOOOOOO"
Alcatraz your missing the whole point, HE LOST, but IF he would have won, thats a much bigger boost than trying hard.
And who knows its probably us up 2-0 instead of the Leafs, see what I'm saying here?
Pitts game, Philly game, Boston game.
30 seconds into the game, do you really need to give your team a boost?
Isn't that what a coach is for and captains are for. Shoudn't they be boosted enough to start the game?
so 1 goal OT losses? your right having Carkner would have allowed us to win those games
My heavens had we known employing a goon, woudl have made us win 3-2 instead of lose 2-1!!!!
Move on, you like staged fighting and see the importance and the boost it provides and creates a sense of "we are tougher than you dont push us around"
and I think skilled players who can finsih their checks and play a regular shift is more important and as professionals they should be able to motivate themselves
and all together emotional fights (resulting from a hit etc) are still ok in this game which I agree with
Is it really tho? 20 games man, our leading point getter hasnt scored in 20 Fing games..
I'm not saying he's a bust but its CLEAR he is struggling mightily! To the point of hurting our team? maybe?
Hey just look who scored for CHI to keep them going...With all that firepower a goon saved the day.
And Carkner did score some important goals for us, the few that he did.
Its not all about flash and dash bro.
Lol a goon playing on the first line
Some coaches dont even talk to the team before a game and as for Captains, some do and some dont and I know for a fact Alfie doesnt. He's not the "talk in the room" type of Captain.
So yeah, a big game, a 4 game losing streak on the line...Win a fight, on the road and you set the tone, shut the crowd up and get momentum without even scoring a goal....imagine that...
Lose and your fucked...
So your saying Carcillo is a top line player? LOL
Come on man, he's there for 1 reason only, you guessed it...protection.
AND ends up scoring a huge goal...
Case closed.
I agree you don't need fighters on your team to have a tough team. You need players that won't back down and finish their checks. Don't let the other team push you around (Chris Phillips i'm talking about you).
Most teams have third/fourth line guys who bring this style of play but we have O'Brien and Condra and Daugivins, none of them are very tough but they are good defensive players. To reiterate,by tough I don't mean fight
Alcatraz and Tookie up in a tree ......
so when does this blog get renamed to TookieChirp ?
Very nice to see Smith notch a goal and shut a few people up.
Great to see MM9 back - provided jump to the game and played very well.
To those knocking Bishop, first he saw DD go down hard, then had a puck bounce off Regin and go in... I will not throw him under the bus.
DD - get better.
The ONLY thing I want to see more is hitting the net. Yes Smith had a fantastic game, but 5 missed shots! Gonchar, great again, but almost every time the puck leaves his stick, I feel for the refs in the corner of the rink!
GO F*****G SENS GO!!!!
Build from this game, keep the same players, replace DD with JOB and let's go streaking!!!!!! !!
The red 'X' at the top right corner of your screen.
No your right, I would much rather read this ^^^^ sigh
To Tookie and Alcatraz,
You 2 guys are fighting over a fight, and
it's about time you both grow up and talk hockey, instead of the merit of a staged fight!
Or this because you know this is also a great read.
Really talks about the Sens and how well or bad they are doing dont you think...
SNOOP, thats a 2 and a 5 for 3rd man in!
YOUR EJECTED!!
You are so quick and witty to no end !
Just love it !!
It's not like I want an enforcer, just a guy like Clutterbuck. You can be a physically intimidating presence without fighting.
Was at the game last night, my first sens-leafs game at the ACC, pretty decent experience. Here are my thoughts..
Let me start with the crowd...I have been to a number of sens-leafs games in Ottawa and to be completely honest, Leaf fans in Ottawa are way noisier than in Toronto. The arena was pretty dang quiet for most of the game. The only times they cheered were during the knockout fight and the goals..and maybe once in the third period when our boys were alllllll over them..
I missed the knockout fight cause a dang usher distracted me asking for my ticket..Another sens fan a couple seats down from me and myself were the first two who were asked for our tickets before any leaf fan...just cause we were wearing our sens jerseys I guess he assumed we were in the wrong seats..stupid old fart..
http://hfboards.hockeysfuture.com/forumdisplay.php?f=19
and
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?blogger_id=134#.UTjIQ1cpk1I
You should have left it right there, at "who knows". Why not 4-0? 10-0? It's so easy to make naive comments when you don't have supporting evidence.
Quoting Tookie:
The odds are very good that nothing would have changed even if he did win that fight. Fights don't win games.
Proof:
http://oilersnation.com/2012/1/11/does-the-momentum-boost-from-fighting-help-teams-win-games/score
http://blog.philbirnbaum.com/2012/01/do-hockey-fights-lift-teams-performance.html
http://www.puckprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=222
Now on to the game...We looked solid in the couple of minutes after the DD fight. The Neil fight seemed to damper our spirits but boosted the Leaf game..
Bishop then fell on his ass and seemed rattled...
The one player that stood last night was good ol Alfie...I have never seen a player look so calm on the ice and control the game the way he did...He just blew my mind...
Turris looked way too soft last night..Was like a butterly in the midst of...bumble bees?! Pardon my poor analogy, but he looked like a kid playing with men last night..
Zibby was solid! He couldve had a hattie if he only shot instead of passed.
Silferberg.. I know he hasnt scored in a while, but this kid is strong with the puck..especiall y along the boards. There were numerous plays where it was him, the puck and 4 leaf players and he'd just maintain possession.
1. DD decided to go for it and therefore you cant blame McLaren. What happened was unfortunate, but a fights a fight.
2. DD should know his role on the team and therefore say NO and stick with it. Best thing DD could do is goad frazer into doing something stupid .e.g. INSTIGATING and gives sens a massive early PP.
lastly, i feel the sens as a whole need to just get a little nasty. from the last 8 years, you can see the teams that win and win the cup, other than DET, all teams have a level of nasty in them and they dont abide by any stupid code bullcrap. Sens need to get nasty, they arent soft, but they need to exert that toughness a little more.
What do you think putting Smith up on the top line, do you think Mac will demote Turris back to 2C or will he have Turris back at 1C and ignore his obvious struggle.
I dont think putting Zbad at 2C or even 1C as some have suggested is a good idea. He is scoring now because he isnt heavily leaned upon. Moving him up will draw increased pressure and he might fold like Turris has.
Michalek had some legs on him yesterday..dint look like he had knee problems. Skated fast, was gritty in front of the net. Glad that we have him back.
Stone's skating still isnt the best. Still slow but his positioning is decent..reminds me of heatley but no body really found him on the ice last night.
and the last person who stood out was Methot. Praise Murray for getting him on our team. The guy is just solid and he can skate too. There was a play in the second or third period where he looked like a giant Karlson. He skated with the puck from one end of the ice to the other but dint get any support to make a play out of it. The rest of the team looked like they were all thinking 'WTf?!'.
Thats all from me folks. I could ramble on longer but I'll spare you'll the agony. Looking forward to tomorrow night.
Cheers!
I could also post links to hundreds of games where a fight occured and the team won the game, your argument is terribly weak.
Plus its in the context of the fight, Div rivals, on the road, standings in play.
And your telling me the Leafs just went up 2-0 after that huge fight....becaus e they are better hockey team than the Sens? Thought so...
Scoring 4 goals is a relief and we even did so with Rimmer playing well.
Milo looked good, Alfie looked great, Zibanejad looked good.
Smith getting off the schnide hopefully gets him going again.
Finally someone other than Neil steps up.
Bishop will bounce back.
The bad:
Bishop was not good but still looked better than goalies of seasons past.
DD getting concussed was painful to watch - hopefully he's okay.
The ugly:
Sucks losing to the laffs.
Really, of possible outcomes, scoring a lot while still losing is not that bad. We know we can hold teams to 2 goals or less so giving up 5 is a blip. I'd rather lose 5-4 and have hope we can score more often than lose 1-0.
You should get slapped upside the head for posting that garbage in here.
Tookie = Turd Ferguson 2.0
see him here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN6rjLcpBnI
Smithy looked good with Alfie last night..wasnt pushed off the puck as easy as Turris..
I'm hoping that PM starts the next game with Smithy on the first...give Turris a break from all the pressure..
knocked out...
Personally I love watching hockey fights staged or not, it really pumps the crowd up and the teammates even more and anyone who has played hockey knows this. Its part of the game. A fight is a fight and it's entertaining, whether it started in the middle of play or when the puck drops who cares!
Best ignore buttons of all - the people who run those sites get rid of the bozos PDQ
Yep agree with you here, seems most fans are in agreement. Turris needs to go back down to 2C or 3C. Take some pressure away.
I agree we wouldn't have these debates
But the more important thing is here is why are we risking the players safety by allowing it, as you can see what can happen as a result?
No different than Staal and the visor debate
I like seeing players with no visors as it pumps the crowd up!!
So that explains why your posting here then...I see. Go away...
Maybe we should just play in bubbles or have everybody in full plate armor...
With way of thinking we should just ban EVERYTHING!
That's life people get hurt all the time!
Like what the heck people lets ban cars and bicycles and hockey sticks and pucks and keyboards cause they cause carpal tunnel!
So why do players have to have a tie down jersey? seems overkill dont you think?
Since you chose my post to pick on, I didn't say he was a bust nor that we lost the trade. Jason555 prob put it in the most sensitive way.
Its a dress code thing, wouldnt want a re-peat of Slapshot now would we...
- allow fighting
- but add a 10 minute misconduct if the referee deems it to be "staged"
That means players like neil, carcillo, prust still have a spot in the NHL. Players like Orr are gone
Really no reason to ever fight off a faceoff. Unless a player lays out a huge hit, and someone wants payback 3 shifts later
Best exmaple is Raffi Torres vs mayers
Staged per say off the faceoff but we knew it was coming
DD vs McLaren was staged in that, it served no purpose but to "fire it up!"
Neil vs Orr would rest on Ref's judgement. Personally I'd say it was emotional based off what happened 3 min earlier, but had DD not been dropped, Neil woudl not have fought Orr, I could almost guarantee that
No I'm pretty sure its due to injuries occurring when a player "gets jerseyed" and the danger of being punched repeatedly with no vision
Hey thats great now he can afford better smoothies...
Well can we ban your comments 'cause they hurt my brain.
Anyway even though the team lost it was greta to see them score 4 goals! I hope Smith stays up on that top line and Turris actually responded well after being put on the lower line think it waked him up, 'cause he was pretty terrible untill the third period I found. Hope to see Lehner tomorrow night!
GO SENS GO!
Prust was involved in a staged fight vs the Devils or have you already forgotten that 6 players fight off the draw last year, thats was amazing!! Even you liked it, probably...
Typical Tookie taking one thing I say and twisting it
Yes I saw that, and it was pretty stupid, entertaining sure, but still stupid. and with my rule they would still be allowed to do it but they would be sitting for an extra 10
And I know your smart enough to know that when I mentioned Prust I was refering to the fact he can skate and score and pass and you know play hockey?
unlike Orr and Gillies
Yeah I really like Prust, was one guy I hoped the Sens would go after. We ended up with Latendresse...
Thing is Carkner wasnt that bad, was he a top 4 no but he could and did well in a 5-6 spot and we could even have put him FW on the 4th line.
Dont know about you but I would rather have Carkner than Regin, Latendresse, DD...none of those guys are gonna stick with the team anyways. Regis should have been gone a long time ago.
Do the offending players text each other before the game?
Do they have rehearsals?
Or it's a "staged fight" just because they fought when the puck drops?
Are the refs going to be given this new technology where they can hear, see and know whats going on in the heads of each player on the ice?
What if two players come on the ice during play and just decide to fight for no APPARENT reason is that a "staged fight"?
Well to me its staged if its not reactionary
Big hit and fight ok, scrum around the net and fight breaks out ok. Player touches goalie ok...
Calm game with not much hitting and then two 4th liners start fighting as soon as puck drops...staged
More or less this rule would make teams nto want to carry those players anymore and will want dual threat guys like a neil or prust
No difference than when a ref gives out misconduct penalties. Its discretionary as to what length they get
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/ronny-keller-paralyzed-hit-boards-swiss-playoff-game-144626416--nhl.html
Scary shit... that could have been Brad Richards the other night when he was hit by Kaleta.
Sounds to me like the perfect time for a fight. Opportunity to get the crowd and players pumped up and play better.
I dont think the Leafs wanted to play a calm game. And kudos to them as I dont want to see a calm game.
Let's be honest, Zack Smith is nowhere skilled enough to be a top line player. He is good on the third line, he's getting 15-20min a game ice time.
Just to be clear I never said Smith should benched or traded. I think hes been one of the teams best players with all these injuries. If you watched last nights game he quite obviously played better on that top line than Turris did, so why not give him another shot tomorrow night.
You gotta go with your gut man, seeing that 3rd period last night how could Mac go back to the 1st period lines...
Its like asking for disaster again...
I was one of those guys that wanted Smith benched for lack of productivity, although he has been trying, its just not enough. Smith played his way into the top line in the 3rd and deserves atleast a game up there to see if the chemistry is still there.
Your DD, are you making it in this league by fighting goons, or by contributing and trying to score? What type of player does he want to be
Personally, I try and score in a 0-0 game when given an excellent opportunity by the coach
Listen to murray, Maclean, Smiths and Alfies responses yet?
None of them are saying well eh really tried to pump up the visitor's crowd and get us going so we feel bad.
Direct Smith quote:
"That's what McLaren does and it was definitely good for Dziurzynski to step up but I don't know if that was the best tradeoff," said Smith. "He's a big guy but it's just unfortunate he put himself in that situation.
I'd like to see O'Brien get a chance on one of the top 2 lines.
But it's pretty clear watching this team that they aren't the ones motivated by spot fights. If they were don't you think they would have done it more by now????
So the message I am getting from the Team who are the ones impacted is that they pretty much wish DD didn't do that and try and prove anything
Maybe staged is the wrong word. Fighting that really isn't a result of an on-ice issue/play
Wrong again, they arent saying DD shouldnt have done that, in fact he says its definitley good he did, they are saying he shouldnt have fought McLaren (a heavyweight)...
It says it right in your Smith quote, couldnt be clearer...
"That's what McLaren does and it was definitely good for Dziurzynski to step up but I don't know if that was the best tradeoff"
Perhaps NHL need to visit the NBA/OHL style of accumulating stats
OHL I think you get suspended after 10 fights, and NBA you get suspended after a certain amount of technicals
Setting a threshold on fights will make players pick and choose their spots better I would think.
In the end I really just want to get a way from players who only role is to throw punches. Makes no sense to me. Teams can stick up for themselves and police themselves while still knowing hwo to play hockey
Yes, but why do it in a 0-0 game 30 seconds in is what Smith is saying while in the offensive zone
He is saying DD is better than McLaren so dumb move. Of course he will say good for him
Why would they need an issue to fight. They dont need one, its a fight, its actually part of the game...
This is where your confused I think, fighters dont wait for something to happen in order to fight, they can fight whenever they want for whatever reasons. (and there are many)
Why would they need an issue to fight. They dont need one, its a fight, its actually part of the game...
This si where your confused I think, fighters dont wait for something to happen in order to fight, they can fight whenever they want for whatever reasons. (and there are many)
And this is the dumb culture I am referring to
It doesn't need to be in the game. Its only in the game because fans think it should be in the game
I mean he could just skate around and fight everyone!!! he doesn't need a reasont o fight he could just go toe to toe with all the heavyweights
then sit on the bench for the other 55 minutes of the game
Because the Leafs felt like they needed a boost and it worked! Like you said, calm game.
Would you call Orr dumb to his face or to Carkner...I think not.
And as for skill, both of them could probably skate circles around you without even trying.
They are there to proptect the teams investments (star players) oh and look, all of ours are out and we have no tough guy...coinciden ce?
omg I never looked at it that way
Methot trips guy into anderson injury
spezza throws out his back injury
michalek has degenerate knees
karlsson freak accident
cowen hip injury in offseason
should have had a goon to prevent this
Yup so entertaining!!
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/watch-fight-between-lnah-francis-lessard-sebastien-laferriere-170317905--nhl.html
Well that was lame...now your just starting useless banter...
Come on GSP, really...lol
Ya and the UFC sells out everywhere they go
Point is?
Haha good one buddy. I was at that game lol that was actually pretty funny. They did end up having a pretty good fight as soon as they stepped out of the box for dancing. LOL
Time for you to step into this Tookie and Alcatraz debate, that had stopped for quite a while, and is now degrading your site
into a sideshow !!
My apologies! Don't want to start a fight here (yes pun intended)
Back to topic at hand.
Who should play with michalek and Alfie enxt game? Turris? Smith? Zib?
It could of yes.
Anderson injury, guys were crashing the net all game, you think with a goon there they would still?...though t so...
How do you think Spezza got back injury, by players taking runs at him, he's a target of everyteam. Goon takes care of that.
Michalek has bad knees, I got nothing there.
Karlsson, Cooke keeps quite of goon is there.
Cowen hip surgery, nothing there.
Smith! Turris should stage a fight. ;)
this would be like following the Harlem Globetrotters around to pass the time during an NBA lockout.
Yeah we got off tarck, sue us...
I would not keep Turris there, either Smith or .....Smith. cant see Zib there, way too much pressure, look what it did to a more mature Turris.
I would try this out...we did score 4 goals this way!
Michalek Smith Alfie
Greening Turris Silf
Stone Zib Neil
Daug JOB Condra
Post of the day...
posts 1 to 53 = interesting discussions
posts 54 - 169 = wall of blather
Now you are talking , and I would switch Line 2 and line 3. It would help the team as well as help Turris get his game back
HAHA actually those Globetrotters are pretty talented with all the trick plays they do. Its pretty good hockey quite a bit of former NHLers Cornwall also has Eric Meloche former Penguin I think, hes pretty good fast skater they also have two guys that were former first round draft picks that never made it Sasha Pokulok and Alex Bouret
Zibby on the other hand just looks made for this. Every time I saw him he seemed to be winning a face off, hitting somebody or scoring.
Interesting that Zibanejad gets the "sheltered" minutes while Silf has consistently been thrown at other teams top lines.
At least that how it seems...i admit i haven't mined the stats exhaustively.
- God had legs yesterday. Period!
- MM9 played an awesome game and puts the nay sayers about him being top forward to rest, he was the difference maker on our offense every time he was on the ice!
- ZSmith had an awesome game give him a few more games up on that line for sure, he wins faceoffs well
- Zibby playing amazing also putting all the nay sayers to rest with his play at such a young age.. excited for this guy to be in the top 6 in the future
- lots of defensive miscues hopefully they can iron that out
- turris struggling for sure not saying because he is a bust but needs to get his mojo going if anyone saw the look on ZSmiths face when scored that goal it was awesome! gotta put Turris in the best situation where he can score.
All in all... Coach once again .. showed post-game lineups are just a formality... he is a mastermind at putting winning team on the ice!! GSG!!!
Michalek. Spezza. Stone
Silfverberg Turris. Alfie
Greening. Smith. Neil
Zibanejad. JOB. Condra
We have soo much depth
Lehner in MSG?
Outstanding potential here
Maybe we should give the big boys a game off... call up a few more from Bingo and go with:
Greening Costa Smith
Stone Zib Condra
Daug JOB Corwick
Pageau Prince Hoffman
Wiercioch Benoit
Gryba Borocop
Blood Wideman
Lehner
Bishop
Not far from our roster anyway...
Yea sure lets just throw Stone on the first line after 2 NHL games.
then when Spezza is back you go with
Silfverberg-Spezza-Alfie
Michalek-Brassard-TUrris.
Greening-Zibby-Stone
Condra-Smith-Neil
Then you get Perry either at deadline day or July 1st and this team is set. Whatever you do keep Zibby, cuz I like what I'm seeing right now, when he decides to shoot more watch out!
Looked just fine there last year...
Well he wasn't there last year, he played 1 shift with Spezza because Spezza stepped on the cie early from a change and Stone pushed it up
They didn't play together all game lol
lol my bad!
I'd imagine he would get a shot though given the state of the team so far.
Not only would it be illegal to call up all those guys (roster limits) but that is one of the worst lineups I have ever seen, I hope your were joking...
Would be a great lineup for tanking tho
shhh...don't say tank
Michalek-Smith-Alfie
Silfverberg- Turris- Stone
Greening- Zibby- Condra
Daugavins/Regin- Obrien- Neil
I will personally call up Cowick, hes basically DD with a bit more skill, brings a ton of energy, grit, size and speed.
I will also bring up Boro and sit out Gryba, he needs to sit out, since his first 4 games where he has been very poor.
This is Regin's last season in the league.
^^^^ LMFAO!
Yes, it was a joke... but maybe to subtle for here... should have used the sarcasm tags...
Lets trade Bishop to St.Louis for Elliott and our 2nd back
While he's never really lived up to his Dad's fame as an NHL player, he's had a pretty solid AHL career. Since Ottawa has so many of it's players in the NHL right now, if Ottawa claimed him would he need to stay in Ottawa, or could he be sent down to help Bingo? I'm guessing he'd just need to clear waivers again to go to Bingo? All that waiver stuff confuses me. lol
He would have to stay up, if a team makes a waiver claim and then waives the player again, his original team gets first opportunity to take him back, then any other team lower in the standings.
Lol this is what I've been commenting about for the last 2 weeks. Silfverberg is getting crap load of minutes and is not generating anything, while Zibanejad is playing sheltered minutes(some games has the lowest ice time)and is still managing to score goals. Some people still believe that Silfverberg should be playing top 6 this year while I think a guy like condra should be taking his spot or JOB.
It was the same thing in the relgation tournament, Zibanejad was playing third/fourth line minutes and ended up leading the team in goals and points even though the team got relegated. Also scored the last game winning goal for the team in their Djurgarden's last game of the season.
Silf is facing tougher competition & more pressure.
Zib is facing avg competition & less pressure.
Not using it as an excuse but its what it is, if Zib was to be moved up into the top 6 he would struggle aswell. Better to have him scoring where he is than screw it up.
I figured it was like that, wouldn't make sense really to be able to snag him then drop him down, just like Boston was trying to do.
Exactly why Kadri is doing so well on the Leafs, right?
yes we know you dont like him, but he goes to the net unlike silf whos trying to be too fancy, minutes or defenceman have nothing to do with it.
Yeah, and at the World Juniors he was also getting 3rd/4th line duties as I recall.
So I guess the question is: Why does nobody want to play the kid on a top line?
Silf quality of competition: 0.008
Zib quality of competition: -0.106
Conclusion: Silf playing harder players
Silf % of offensive zone starts: 63%
MZ % of offensive zone starts: 69%
Zibby starts more often in O-zone
Silf % of offensive zone finishes: 54%
MZ % of offensive zone fniishes: 49%
For as much as MZ get sheletered minutes he is still moving backwards down the ice on average
This is why Maclean trusts Silf more right now. He is responsible all over the ice, and Silf does have a bit more calmness in his game.
I love MZ and felt he was awesome seeing him live for the first time yesterday, and better than Silf to be honest, but on average Maclean trusts sending Silf over the boards in any situation more so than MZ
So I guess the question is: Why does nobody want to play the kid on a top line?
i was at those games live and i remember him being on the ice quite a bit so i doubt he was on 4th line duties. that and he was on the number 1 pp unit
I had predicted yesterday that the Sens would score at least 3 goals, so I was even happier to see 4. Zibanejad was my hardest working Sen, he seemed to be everywhere.
But there is something this team really needs to work on, they have to hit the net!! They had WAY to many missed shots before finally scoring a goal. I mean, there are missed shots and then there are Ottawa missed shots. It's a category in itself and it was getting ridiculous and upsetting to see. Sure, things started to role after that 1st goal, and so on. But even in games prior this has been an issue. If it's not a pure miss, it's hitting a stick or body and deflecting into the mesh.
Considering Ottawa is leading the league as of today with 32.8 s/g, can you imagine the possibilities if we hit the net more?
Well played. Can't wait for the response.
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Travis-Yost/Usage-Charts-How-Paul-MacLeans-Getting-it-Done/134/49601#.UTkIIjc8q9U
Zibanejad has been facing the tougher competions up there with Zack Smith.
I love stats and you nailed it.
In a perfect world he would be playing a full season in Bingo's top 6 and breaking in with the Sens in the fall.
Awesome and bang on. Do you happen to have Kadri's stats? Or better yet, Kadri's stats through 12 games and then games 13-24 (as I assume he's improving - or maybe he isn't)?
Also agree with this 100%. Most of our not-yet-injured players are being asked to mature faster than planned. That's not horrible but it does add some risk to their development (thank god for PMac).
looking to buy one.
Bos
pitt
Car
Mtl
tor
Ott
NYR
NJ
right away I see mtl-tor first round match up. could be unreal
Carolina's not such a bad opponent if we have spezza back (no pun intended)
boston, NJ, NYR and Pitts can beat the hell out of each other, softening the opponent for round 2 and leaving the door wide open for Ottawa to slide into the conference finals
Kid has lots of skill and if he doesn't work out, you waive him..
I agree, Zib's the youngest guy on the roster at 19, he shouldn't be playing 18+ minutes against the best players in the NHL, simple as that.
Silf and Grant are 22, along with Wiercioch, Cowen and Karlsson on the backend. Just look how much further along they seem to be with only have 3 years on him.
Proper development does wonders.
These two have been whipping boys for us fans going back last season, and even before that. Regin comes back from injury, has a great game and everyone praises him. Some went as far as to say he should be top line C. Then after last night, he's back to being weak.
Smith has the same fate where people suggest trading him, only to have a great game last night and he's back in everyone's good books. Same goes for Michalek, mind you I've even been saying trade for awhile. Next will be Turris, some are already talking about him. Once he scores that goal, people will stop bringing it up.
At the end of the day, players will have ups and downs. They will not all play 110% each and every night, it's not feasible.
nice tribute here
http://tsutpen.blogspot.ca/2013/03/great-canadians-of-20th-century-19.html
Yeah we could get screwed. But if Murray goes out and gets us an elite winger such as corey perry, we should be able to compete for top of division.
Now for fun
Would you rather,
Senators not make the playoffs for the next 10 years
or
Leafs win the cup this season
Goal 1. He outmuscled Vam Reismdyk and gets the puck to Methot. Methot has 2 forwards on him (where is the center) and they get control of the puck. Gryba drives back to the net with Vanriemdyk and at he same time they reach for the puck. Puck goes of Grybas stick into the net... Fault--- center not around to support low.
Goal 2. Gryba is on the front side of the net. Three Sens are battling two leafs low. Leafs kick the puck out to the point who steps in shoots scores..Fault lost battle low no strongside slot coverage. Dmen cant be covering the points.
I still think that considering he is playing against top lines he is doing alright. As far as position you cant stay in a zone and not move.
I think Phillips and Gonchar played good games last night. Weircioch just looked slow.