Heading into tonight's games, the Sens sit 9th in the Eastern Conference, with 27 points. That has them tied with Dale Hunter's Washington Capitals with the Sens having played one extra game. We said the same thing about November, but December looks like it could be a make or break month of sorts for the Senators.
They have to find a way to get on a roll on home ice if they want to stay in the thick of things.
The Sens will play 9 of 13 at Scotiabank Place to close out the calendar year. While they have to be happy to finally be on home ice, the opposition lined up could present some problems. Six of those nine home games come against teams currently holding down playoff positions.
Ottawa is going to have get one a pretty good run on home ice to keep themselves in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
- Bryan Murray is still on the hunt for some help at the second line centre position but is looking for a scenario where the other team would take on some contract. Derick Brassard remains the most talked about option. With Matt Carkner expected to wrap up a conditioning stint in the middle of next week, Murray is likely looking to move a defenceman.
- Who would have thought the Sens would miss Filip Kuba as much as they have? He has taken a ton of heat from fans the past couple seasons but has been a key player under Paul MacLean. Kuba has played big minutes and in all situations. He made some progress with his upper-body injury over the weekend but his status for tomorrow night is still in doubt. The Sens will practice at noon at the Sensplex.
- Chris Neil returned to the Ottawa line up for the first time in nine games and looked decent in his return. It's clear that MacLean wants to ease him back into the line up though as the tough guy played just 9:11, most of which came on the 4th line.
- Kuba's absence has meant an increased role for Jared Cowen and he has responded extremely well. Cowen played over 22 minutes in Dallas and followed that up by leading all Sens in ice time on Saturday, logging a career high 28:22. Cowen has earned the trust of his coach with consistent play this season and looks extremely comfortable playing big minutes.
- A quick look at the NHL Stat leaders shows that Sens players are certainly making their impact through the first quarter of the season. Milan Michalek, who scored again last night, is now tied for the league lead in goals with 16. He only scored 18 all of last season. Leader in points among defenceman? 21 year old Erik Karlsson with 23 points. He is also tied for the league lead in assists with 21. And honourable mention to Zenon Konopka who is tied for the league lead in penalty minutes.
- With that in mind, let's be sure to keep voting for the Ottawa Senators for this year's NHL All Star game. It looks like a few guys could earn their way there with solid play but let's vote them to the starting line up! You can vote 30 times per account HERE. Then you can vote an additional 30 times on your mobile device and text the name of your favourite to 81812. Don't be afraid to set up additional accounts if you have some time!
- Don't forget that this Thursday we do the Hunt 4 Chirp! Along with the Wiser's Guy (Follow him on Twitter @Wisers_Ottawa) I'll be hiding somewhere in the city of Ottawa. Throughout the day we'll be posting clues on our Twitter accounts and then at 6:00 PM, the hunt begins! We'll be giving away two pairs of tickets in the Wisers Box for the January 16th game against the Jets. All you have to do is find us! Stay tuned for more details this week.
Sens/Caps is there now.
Didn't see the Washington broadcast but apparently they were loving Karlsson all night. His improvement on the defensive side of things has been extremely impressive.
Philips seems like a great guy, but for the love of god, he cannot play top 4 minutes in the NHL anymore.
If he backed up any more on the Caps first goal he would have been behind Anderson. That reeks of a player who is too slow and afraid of being walked around.
On top of that 2 breakaways right after were directly his fault.
If he had not been drafted in Ottawa, I firmly believe he would no longer be in the NHL.
We seem to fall in love, and overrate some players, and way too hard on other star players (Spezza)
And I am really upset at the handling of Filatov.
Not only does he not get the promised shot at top 6, we do not even dress him.
Either give him a real shot, or let him move on!
I absolutely love Cowen, this kid will be amazing in a couple of years.
And to all those Anderson critics, he has been doing what he did yesterday most of the year, and will be an integral part of getting us into the playoffs.
Finally never ever thought I would say this, but Kuba is making me eat my words, and we do miss him on D.
But would still love to move him now that he is playing well.
And if we do, please throw in Gonchar or Philips.
that first goal by Washington, is exactly what NOT to do when playing D.
And these are the experienced D-men you want teaching our young kid? NOT!
He did back up a little bit too much on that Backstrom goal but he was also left alone when his D partner and the backchecking forward both cheated towards Ovechkin.
Phillips has been fine.
Agreed about Anderson. Looked much sharper last night and was the reason the Sens were able to steal a point from the Caps.
Love what McLean is doing with this team... BUT Phillips & Gonchar as a pairing is a NIGHTMARE.
Karlsson did a great job on OV last night. Too bad he hit that patch of bad ice in OT.. but to get a point is great.
10 pts out of a possible 18 on that road trip is great for a young re-building team.
More games on home ice in December against tough opponents... could December be the telling point as to how this team will do in the standings this year?
Obviously I was a little bit surprised by the move. Assumed it would be Butler that came out and Neil would assume the spot on the fourth line.
MacLean mentioned that he needs to get production from that first line right winger. Should be interesting to see what he does next game. I would think Filatov draws back in.
If by "fine", you mean he's a good 5-6 guy, then yes, he has been fine.
Michalek-Foligno-Alfredsson
Daugavins-Smith-Condra
Konopka-Winchester-Neil
Phillips-Gonchar
Cowen-Karlsson
Rundblad-Lee
Filatov is the extra forward and no sign of Filip Kuba.
Filatov alternating with Butler, with Greening and Spezza.
Hey Chirp is there any word On Regin?
Is it just me, or when he comes back I would love to see him with Greening and Spezza. Going back to that playoff against the Pens, he did play on Spezza's wing and didn't do too bad.
Greening-Spezza-Regin
MM9-Nicky-Alfie
Daug-Zach-Condra
Neil-ZK-Winnie
Butler/Filitov
Thoughts?
id put regin on that 2C in a heart beat. foligno has been exceeding expectations at 2C so far but i still think regin is the better center. and as much as i like greening. he isnt a top line player, he does all the little things that you dont see on the score sheets, sadly on the top line, all that matters is stats that you put up.
Watched the Ottawa 67s and Peterborough Petes live in Peterborough last night and I was very impressed with Puemple and Prince. Both guys had three points on the night and were undoubtably the best players on their respective clubs. The game was another of the many indications that the rebuild will be short.
THE FUTURE IS SOON. GO SENS GO
prince had 5points. puemps had 3
Be nice if they could find their 'magic' against Buffalo and win at least two of those 3...
Those buffalo games are must wins considering the other teams we play in December!
hmm, I dont have cable, I have an HD antenna. I watched the sens game on CBC in perfect HD last night. I did however notice though in the introduction where they show various clips, usually highlighting the Canadian teams playing, they didnt show any sens hightlights but showed plenty of washington!
I think Phillips is much improved from last year but it's wrong to say he struggled last year without reflecting on the fact that he also struggled the year before that as well.
Most people get a pass for last year because nearly everybody struggled but Phillips, although having plenty in the bank, has further to catch up on than most.
I'm happier with his re-signing now than I was at the time because of his play, but I still don't like it. However he isn't going anywhere and fans should get used to that.
CBC is headquartered in T.O. therefore, all HD broadcasts will be the T.O. games as the guys who make the decisions are T.O. fans.
Same as the play reviews are all made by guys who live in T.O.
Sens did not get a PP chance last night, how many times do you think T.O. gets no PP chance? I would guess that hasnt happened in the last 5 years....
Because we don't know how Filatov has practiced, what his attitude is like in the room, and how he has responded to instruction, it's hard to make a proper assessment on the decision to bench him.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bsenshockeylive
They are playing against Redden.
His salary is probably more than both teams combined.
I just checked capgeek and I think thats pretty safe to say considering he is making 6.5 mil this season lol.
I'd love to see him stay on the top line indefinitely. The points are sure to come soon enough!
Go Sens go,
Spendzza
Magnus Paajarvi in Edmonton is playing 12 minutes a game for Edmonton and yet he's got only 2 points in 23 games. They're letting him play through it and figure it out. Filatov has gotten about 9 minutes a game which is just slightly above 4th line minutes. He doesn't get much PP time with that 1st line even when he plays there - aka the prime opportunity to produce points with skill.
The team can't expect much of him until he gets PP time and more games with the 1st line consistently.
Thank you Boom,
Chirp I normally agree with all you say, but Philips is way past his prime, and he speed of the game, with no clutch and grab has passed him by,
Terrible re-signing,
even though a great person and great attitude, he is hurting our D right now
Why did we trade for him?
Did we not so that we can give him a shot at top 6?
Did he not make it clear that if he did not play in the NHL he would be going to the KHL, even before the trade?
He will keep his end, I don't think we are keeping ours.
Love the way Ottawa is rebuilding, but I have to say the way they are treating their young guys like Lee, Filatov, really makes you scratch your head.
Yes. Doesn't hurt to try. I remember how good that line was.
Think Greening's hot start has fizzled and is really starting to get old. If nothing is given to anyone he and Butler should be the 2 should switch up. And you think Greening will even be on the team when Puempel, Noesen, Zibanejad, Stone, Prince, etc. all crack the team, let alone in the top 6 as he is now? The best part of those prospects is that the top 6 can always be interchangeable .
Michalek has an open end at this point for his year end totals, he would have to shit the bed to get less than 30 goals this year.
BM I expect is considering our present needs as well as future, I would expect they have the Karlsson paycheck and others figured into their plans moving forward.
Tweak the team as required moving forward
Think Greening's hot start has fizzled and is really starting to get old. If nothing is given to anyone he and Butler should be the 2 should switch up. And you think Greening will even be on the team when Puempel, Noesen, Zibanejad, Stone, Prince, etc. all crack the team, let alone in the top 6 as he is now? The best part of those prospects is that the top 6 can always be interchangeable.
============================================
Zibby starts in Ottawa... the rest will start in Binghamton... unless they blow the coaches away.
Filatov - Spezza - Regin (Regin - Spezza - Butler)
Michalek - Foligno - Alfredsson
Daugavins - Smith - Condra
Winchester - Konopka - Neil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMg3OaHEc3s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMy9x2kun1g
Klinkhammer with a goal and an assist. Da Costa -- 2 assists.. Carkner - 1 assist.
Redden -- zip...
And add peterson getting 2 goals... hope we see him get a shot in ottawa this season as a temp call up. The future looks bright.
You don't even have Greening in the line up?!?
He's a rook, and he's a beast. He'll be around for a while, the coaches don't call this guy "Cyborg" for nothing.
Maclean loves this guy.
ugh, Chirp I have to disagree. I'll admit he's much better than last season. but still not fine. He used to hit hard and often. now (as mentioned) he backs up and tries to force guys to skate around him, so he can work them behind the net. he doesn't have his killer instinct, or confidence. and he's setting a bad example, as I've seen other defenders shy away from a blue-line body-check, and allow opponents to skate down the wing.
Glad to see you standing up for Kuba aka most underrated senator.
i gotta agree with chirp. phillips has saved us many times this year, just like some have said, the best shutdown defenceman are the ones that you dont hear their names often. i recall many times this year phillips has stopped odd man rushes and ill go as far as saying that philly looks like the one we watched with volchenkov few years back
#17 our "China Doll" will play 50 games for his $3.7 as usual. His play has been better but still over-rated.
Nikita, who everyone marvels @ his pure skill, looks slow and out of shape...he didn't get much of a shot and that skate in the face has got to set him back even further...but in fairness to the coaches his battle mode is not up to NHL standards. I'd let him go home to Russia...it's the least we can do. Plus he is too expensive in the show.
SEN's number one problem this year is trying to play our top six with 5 guys!
- When I see him protect the puck against the boards with his skate (NHL12 Y button style)
- When I see him pointing at another player, while forgetting what he is supposed to do
- When I see him back off so far the attacking player, that he is no longer in my field of vision
- When I see him on one knee or sprawled on the ice
- When I see him handle the puck like a baked potato
... he doesn't look fine.
Other that, you never notice him. Not sure if that's good either.
He's not especially good with the puck, doesn't have a great shot, and he doesn't even standout as a super fast skater (which I thought was what he was all about).
Another thing about him, that you would usually notice with naturally gifted offensive players, is that the puck doesn't seem to follow him around. It's rarely on his stick, and he either gets rid of it or loses it.
I'd love for him to be what everyone thought he'd be when drafted, I just don't see it. He wouldn't be the first top 10 draft pick, by far, to be over-rated and flame out in the NHL. It's a pretty elite league in case you didn't know...
Michalek and Karlsson should make it there on their play. Spezza will be close. Alfredsson should get voted in if we all keep voting!
Chirp, you mentioned making multiple accounts, whats the word on having votes disqualified? I heard using multiple accounts would do this.
Within reason it should be ok. As in if you have more than one email address, I think it would be safe to use those. But like you mentioned, it's better if you can just get a bunch of friends, family and colleagues to vote!
But seriously who cares? Cowen has actually been worse statistically. He plays well but you can't deny he is on the ice for a lot of events(goals for and against)
Take a 6 man defense crew and you would be hard pressed to find any team that wouldn't want Phillips on their team, be it #2, #4 or #6. Our luxury this year is we have 6 guys who can play top 4 role. Give Phillips a task/mission and he will come through. he leads and he grinds.
Stop this vicious circle of blaming Spezza/Anderson /Phillips
11. Same rule goes for Derick Brassard, who has two more years at $7 million in cash. There is a belief Columbus can move him because he's got skill and could blossom in a different situation. But interested teams need to wait to fit him under this years budget (I would guess, for example, that's Ottawa's issue).
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/opinion/2011/12/travel-key-to-realignment-30-thoughts.html
... I'm confused... is it any wonder he's frustrated? That being said, hopefully he takes a page from Lee's book of sitting in the press box...
I trust MacLean - he's given me no reason not to.
The simplest explanation is that Filatov still isn't performing the way he is expected/wanted to on ice.
So fckn retarted if this is the case !
well it's certainly difficult I agree. I think there must be something going on that MacLean doesn't like that we aren't seeing (i.e not during the game).
We know he's not great defensively and that might be a reason why Greening is being kept in the top 6. When Murrayt spoke about his last stint in Filatov he mentioned he had some points and won some battles for the puck - maybe he just isn't battling hard enough to MacLea's liking.
He's not going to knock Michalek or Alfredsson out of the line up. I would have thought that with Foligno shifted to centre he could have taken the spot that created, instead Butler got first run at it.
I don't know what Butler has done to deserve it though.
What did filatov do to deserve it more then butler?
What did filatov do to deserve it more then butler?
I agree, probably nothing. I have always been an advocate that Filatov will get his chance when and if he proves to the coaches that he deserves it.
I thought he played OK against Dallas without acheiving much of anything. I assumed however, that when Neil returned Butler would sit because neither of them had offered much of anything this season and the team were going to give Filatov a longer run.
I think it makes sense to play Filatov on the top 2 lines and there aren't that many spaces available. The only player who I personally don't think has done enough to warrant leaving him in the line-up at the moment is Butler.
What did filatov do to deserve it more then butler?
A simple look at GP and Points shows that Butler has had his chance more than enough. Sure on the 4th line, but why does he get to play everynight, and Filatov is thrown around
17gp 2g 4a for butler
9gp 0g 1a for Filatov
**Both Butler's goals came in 1 game
Part of it will be the contract situation of course, but i would have thought sitting Butler for a few games and playing Filatov makes sense, especially when we are already paying Filatov his NHL salary whilst he is up here.
I can understand having him in Bingo, on base salary it saves $5000 a day, it makes lense sense to be paying him an NHL salary to sit in the press box.
"On the injury front for the Sens, forward Nikita Filatov (nose) and defenseman Filip Kuba (upper body) are both listed as questionable for this evening's tilt."
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=382004
McLean is a teacher, if Filatov is willing to learn, it could be beneficial to him. If not...
Oh I don't know... Craig Anderson and him pretty stole that Calgary game for us. All the while on the 4th line. I'd say that's "something".
Butler hasn't been that hot, that's for sure. That's why he's been playing on the 4th line. But he has done much more for this team than Filatov ever has/will (how we all quickly forget).
Filatov was in the minors, and issued a veiled threat to return to Russia unless he got called up. I'm pretty sure Paul McLean is old school and doesn't reward that type of attitude, nor do I think his teammates do either.
He gets called up, and promptly gets 3 games on the first line (one he got hurt 5 shifts in). He averaged 15 minutes, and 1 shot on net in the two game he fully played.
I don't understand the love and agony people are showing for a player that doesn't deserve it. Filatov is getting the exact treatment he deserves...
which is to say NOT SPECIAL TREATMENT.