The balance of January will see the Senators play nine of ten games away from the friendly confines of Scotiabank Place. The only home game comes next Monday when the Jets are in town. This is a stretch of games that will go a long way towards deciding where the Sens finish in the tight Eastern Conference.
First up is a hurtin’ Pittsburgh Penguins squad.
With the likes of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and now Jordan Staal all sidelined, the Pens have started to slide. James Neal looked like he was going to be out as well but he was on the ice for the morning skate and will play. Dan Bylsma’s team has dropped four straight, and scored just five goals over that stretch. With that said, the Sens can not afford to take the Penguins lightly.
Pittsburgh is just four points back of Ottawa with three games in hand. Paul MacLean will make one change to the line up that rallied for a win over the Flyers on Sunday night. Brian Lee in for Matt Carkner.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Condra-Turris-Alfredsson
Foligno-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Konopka-Butler
Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Lee
The NHL’s third star of the week Craig Anderson gets another start in the Ottawa goal and will debut this new mask. Brent Johnson goes for the Penguins. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM with all the action available on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
Kinda bizarre that he goes from 4-6 weeks on the shelf into the line up.
sens have to win max amount of games against eastern conf. teams. especially the ones who have less points than the sens.
if this group makes the playoffs, i think it would be very very exciting to watch.
This is a big 2 points for both teams.
Very weird injury for Neal.
Yeah it is.. This isn't uncommon for the playoffs, but I do find it a bit odd that they would risk it right in the middle of the regular season.. It must not be as bad as first reported, i'd say it's probably just a bad bruise...
-Philly needs a top end D because Pronger is out and since Gonchar is signed for another year it could be a perfect fit because it looks like Pronger may have to retire because of this serious concussion. They are currently 4-5-1 in last 10. If they keep struggling they might makes some moves come deadline time.
-Pit has a ridiculous amount of injuries and have really been sliding the last little while. They obviously have extremely high expectations over there so they may feel the pressure to make a move if the struggling continues. The familiarity of Gonchar would obviously work like a charm but a player like Kuba could also provide big minutes in all situations.
-Wash also has clearly been struggling. They dont have a lot of cap space but I'm sure they could somehow work a deal for a guy like Gonchar to replace Green while hes gone. Obviously the Russian thing helps too and they really need offense from the back end. I would love to get a guy like Cody Eakin or colorado's 1st
The point is I think Ottawa has a bunch of players that are much more appealing to other teams then our fans think. We could get some good assets in return this year and the next.
I can't wait for the all star game to go by because then allthe GM's will have met and talked about who is a buyer or seller and what assets are up for grabs and for what price. Then the trades begin soon after. If you remember last year the actualy trade deadline day was pretty dead but there was like a dozen pretty big trades leading up to it. So that time is coming up folks!! Let the real rumors begin
You want us to keep winning so that we can become sellers at the deadline?
You want us to keep winning so that we can become sellers at the deadline?"
I don't understand the "win to sell" thing either but if another team is generous enough to offer a first round pick for Kuba or Gonchar then we'd have to take it.
The Phoenix Coyotes have claimed forward Gilbert Brule off re-entry waivers from the Edmonton Oilers.
I personally liked this trade from the moment I heard it I think/thought Rundblad was a project that wouldn't see results for a few years... also Am I dreaming or does it appear as if MacLean holds Bobby Butler back until the 3rd period then lets him do his thing with lots of energy or is it just a matter of special teams taking the minutes early in the game ? whatever it seems to be working GOSENSGO
Karlsson picks up 3 more assists.
Maybe he went to see Tim Tebow
and Turris !
Goals by Alfreddson and Condra.
4-2 Sens?
Spezza, Foligno, Smith, and uhhh...let's say the captain for 1 as well, why not.
LOL....I know you said it would never happen but come on! Even throwing that example out is painful to read....JVR for a Kuba rental, bahaha!
Sens win this one 3-2 in a shootout, that's my guess....
Goals by Smith, Foligno, Spezza (2) and Alfredsson
EK 4 assists... So glad he's in my pool :)
3-0 sens
Foligno Karlsson Spezza
Anderson stands on his head.
LMAO, they would do themselves a favor by keeping JVR instead of getting Kuba, do you actually think Kuba would help more than JVR in a Cup run, LOL.
5-2 Sens
GO SENS GO!!!
Guess what I'm gonna do it. We are due for a loss and this is a perfect letdown game.
Pens 4-3 in OT.
This is what I'm afraid of though, the Sens usually find ways to lose games they should win without a doubt. Look no further than the 6-2 beat down from the Habs not that long ago. I'm hoping we can ride the momentum into tonight's game but like Tookie said, we are due for a loss at some point and this could be it...
I'm still hopefull though! GO SENS GO!
side note, is anyone in possession of ASG tickets that they're trying to sell? I've got a pair of standing room tickets that I'm trying to flip (with cash) for some tickets in the 300 level
I actually just sold my ASG tickets, $750 for a pair to both events...I'm sure I could've held out for more if I waited but they were a gift, so it's pure profit for me and I buy enough tickets for games online that I figured it would be good karma to not gouge the crap out of people...
Draft picks only for any deadline trade.
I think basically who they are missing is Crosby, Staal & Letang.. maybe Martin. Don't forget they still have Malkin & Kennedy -- who seems to do very well against the Sens. They have others that can score as well.... so if I was the Sens I would not be too confident in a road win tonight... they need to work hard to get it...
It's all up to Anderson. That game against Montreal was one of his worst of the season, and he seems to have stepped his game up since that disappointment. I can only hope it's a trend and not a mirage, as Anderson needs to keep his improved play going.
Agreed, it's not going to be easy and they definitely have to work at it. But as you said they are missing 3 of their top 5 players, Martin may miss as well and Neal is obviously playing somewhat injured/sore. The sens have to show up for the full game, but if they do they should be able to win it.
He is on my fantasy team so good for me.
I'm shocked. Completely and utterly shocked. Wow! Who would have thought that Tookie would predict a Sens loss?
Condra has been on the 2nd line for the last 10 games, since Turris got here... where have you been?
I got big Nads!
I got big Nads![/quote
@ Tookie19,
What the heck are big Nads ?????]
hahahahaha
Tookie wins this round...I tip my hat to you sir
@Senior Citzen
why am I not surprised hahaha
I'm pretty sure Chirp posted it in the last thread.
Anderson has a new mask already? He just got a new one that paid tribute to the early Silver Seven, didn't he?
So big Nads are gay dads, and he has a fan club ! ??
Who the hell told you that big nads meant gay dads? You've been terribly misinformed.
@ AFM11,
You tell me what you are all laughing for, and then I will
not be misinformed .
Makes perfect sense! If the Sens are winning we can assume our assets are performing well and have more value in a trade.
Yep. Posted it in the last thread.
Latest edition of the Sens prospect report.
http://senators.nhl.com/v2/ext/PDFs/Prospect_Update-010912.pdf
Regardless of how well the Sens finish, it is still a rebuilding period. Sacrificing the future of the team for some success in this years play-offs is short-sited. The team will soon be without Alfredson, Gonchar, Kuba, and Philips, and there's no-one in the system to fill that void of top level talent and experience. Ottawa's first priority is still to add more talent into their system, and/or free up cap so they can sign younger top-level players.
Thanks!
Not sure if I missed it, do we know why Karlsson is out?
Hopefully it's just the flu or something along those lines.
Dean Brown just said they will fill us in once they know.. Flu maybe? Injury? Soreness? take your pick.
Don't feel very good about the win now... he is a large part of getting the puck out of the D zone and putting it in the net...
Is it serious Chirp? Will he be out long term?
Cowen - Gonchar
Phillips - Lee
Karlsson out with possible upper body injury,
happened just before start of game.
Will know more later.
Coach will update in the post game.
All we know is UBI
You got the details out before Dean and Denis could tell us. Kudos to you. Now, if you can tell us what happened and how serious it is then even more respect...
you hear it is a foot fracture. He skated this morning,
Quoting SNOOPY SENIOR:
Since when is your Foot apart of the upper body turn up your hearing aid JC ...UPPER BODY !!! I hope the nurse comes and takes away your keyboard asap
@ AFM11,
Thanks buddy, for letting me know the latest in word for male anatomy !!
nice to see Turris get an assist there but he didnt do much. Whoever game him the pass back should have shot
Butler is quietly heating up!
Sick goal by butler.
Need to keep the pressure on this team of AHLers
After the game Willie.
Yep.
two very nice road goals. i like the sens sudden strike: SSS.
Check out the corrected post on Karlsson "upper Body " injury.
Sorry for the error !
Senior Snoopy said he had a fracture in his foot I was clearing up what they said "upper body" term from good old snoopy ...I think he has the FLU ..Or soreness it seems he is logging huge mins everynight
WOW PEOPLE.
Milan did try to angle it, but it did seem like it was more of a kick and an angling. Probably wasn't distinct enough.
Oh well!!
+2 for bad announcers... These guys are brutal. Enough bitching about the kicking motion
NORRIS TROPHY
Winner: Shea Weber, Nashville
Runners-up: Zdeno Chara, Boston; Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
Comment: While Ottawa's Erik Karlsson is my top-ranked blueliner thus far, he doesn't face the opposition's best lines on a nightly basis like these three stalwarts. Weber faces additional pressure to produce offensively for a Predators team lacking the kind of supporting cast that Chara and Lidstrom have at their disposal in Boston and Detroit, respectively. Duncan Keith and Dion Phaneuf have also played well enough, against top competition, to warrant consideration.
I read this today... Just made me shake my head. Scott Cullen is so full of shit.
Cullen is a F-ing douche... I called him out once and now I am blocked from posting on the tsn site...
Homer play by play: "Anderson took a dive there."
Replay is shown and massive elbow to Anderson is evident.
Homer play by play: "Well, maybe a little bit of an eblow to Anderson there." (Somewhat admits he's wrong)
One minute later....
Homer play by play: "Anderson's been around the league. He sure knows how to sell them."
Just looked at tickets for the All Star Fan Fair. $10 in advance or $15 at the door. OK. Visit CapitalExtortio nTickets.ca and two tickets cost $28.50 after the fees and bribes. If you want home delivery add $1.50.
So much for saving in advance.
I really wish CT would state the real cost of a ticket before you get to the checkout.
Feed by Greening.
And how are we kicking so much ace? Do the Penguins stink tonight or are we that awesome - Anderson loos ultra cool and ocnfident out there...
Haha we should start a rally to have free pizza for road games when we score 6 goals.
Love it.
A 5-4 win is the same as a 3-2 win. Guy get's little puck support and still plays well.
Only thing that matters is a win.
Hands up, all of you, who took Anderson in thier pool...
JUST WIN BABY !
HUGE win.