For what seemed like forever, the Sens consistently found themselves falling behind in hockey games. That is a trend they have been able to reverse as of late, as for the third straight game, the Sens scored the first goal. Erik Karlsson's 10th of the season beat Garon high and have Ottawa a lead just over a minute in.
From that point, and until a second period power play goal by Jason Spezza, Craig Anderson shut the door and was solid in the Ottawa net. He made a number of big stops, including the unconventional double pad stack in the opening frame.
Anderson was a big reason the Sens went into the final period with the lead.
In the third period, the Sens did a good job of tightening up defensively and keeping the chances to a minimum. Moments after a missed penalty shot by Kyle Turris, Jason Spezza scored a beauty to give the Sens a 3-0 lead they would not relinquish. While most of his body of work came in the first period, Craig Anderson played a huge part in tonight's victory, picking up his second shutout of the season.
With a dominant four point night, Jason Spezza now has 60 points on the season, which pulls him even with Phil Kessel for 4th in league scoring. Erik Karlsson racked up a couple points and increased his total to 52 points. When these two guys are firing on all cylinders, the Sens are an extremely tough team to play against.
Quick turnaround for the Sens who play a huge game in Florida tomorrow night. NHL Centre Ice has added the game to their coverage using a combination of the in-house scoreboard feed and the Panthers radio broadcast. Yikes.
- After spending some time in the press box, Bobby Butler has jumped back into the line up and is contributing offensively. Two more assists for him tonight and he now has five since being reinserted into the line up. When his feet are moving and his head is up, Butler can be a dangerous player on that top line.
- Hard not to like the game of Jim Flo'Brien since being called up from Binghamton. MacLean has been giving him increased responsibility each game and he has responded well. O'Brien went 7 for 9 in the face off circle and took a couple shifts on the PK.
- During the second intermission, the Sportsnet Panel discussed the approach the Ottawa Senators could take leading up to the NHL trade deadline. The names suggested include Dustin Penner, Mike Knuble and Ales Hemsky. Penner is considered a cheap option and while he is a player Murray has looked at in the past, I really can't see it. Knuble's availability would depend on where the Caps sit at deadline time and Ales Hemsky will come with a little higher price tag.
College player - not used to the LONG pro seasons.
Can't see any reasonable deals for any of those guys.
Sell off Kuba, Konopka and Carkner to the highest bidders and then call up someone (or rotating guys) from Bingo to shore up the blueline the rest of the way. Or pick up some expiring UFA D if someone will take a 6th rounder for him.
Rebuild is still #1 priority.
Of course, if we're only offered a 6th or 7th rounder for any of our UFAs we may as well keep them.
It's strange but that is the only one of Spezza19's posts that has been close to grammatically correct.
he had a shift in the dying 2 minutes of the game. looks like he is ok. he seems to have taken regular shifts during the third period.
Not hearing any complaints about his no look pass to Karlsson for the goal either.
You don't honestly think we would get Carter or Nash? Hemsky, Penner and Knuble are a little more sensible of the kind of forward we are likely to trade for (if we do at all).
I'm not really interested in the first two, but Knuble is interesting thought thought:
- Experienced
- Older, but only on contract until end of season.
- Fairly versatile; could fit in well in the top 6, or really anywhere.
- Supposedly he's awesome in the dressing room (remember HBO 24/7 last year, he basically ended the Caps losing streak with a speech during intermission against Ottawa.
- He seems to be on the outs with the Caps (scratched last few games for silly reasons), could this mean a low price?
I still think we should hold off on taking anyone right now. If the Caps (or whoever) are out of the picture come deadline day, who knows what could happen.
Spezza should not have needlessly iced the puck towards the end of the game.
She should not have made that no look pass to Karlsson for the goal either.
;)
GO SENS GO
Go Sens Go!
4 months later
Alright guys, we're trading Rick Nash!
what a franchise !!!!!
I never thought I'd say this about Dustin Penner, but Ozzy you are right.
His stock has NEVER been lower.
I seriously think we could give up a 2nd/3rd rounder for Penns. That's right, Penns. Sleep on it.
Not saying we NEEEEED to make this trade, but if it's available and we're in a good spot come the 27th, why not?
When in playoff Rome.
Let's not look too far ahead though. Big game tomorrow, feels like a "St.Louis wings night".
See ya there!
Go Sens Go!!!!
Just doesn't strike me as the type of player MacLean would want to add close to the deadline. All year Mac has preached a hard work ethic and I think it would be tough to hand Penner a top six spot down the stretch.
That said, you are right about him being a cheap pick up. Low risk, high reward type situation.
Why did Spezza only get a +/- of 3 when he was in on all 4 goals?
Powerplay goals don't count for +/-
Thanks!!! Never knew that!!
Penner is out of fresh starts in my opinion. Can't put in decent efforts consistently in Edmonton or LA, and frankly I don't want that guy on our team for free.
Knuble neither...
Go big or go home guys, either stand pat or if the price is right to add a superstar like Nash to Spezza's line then get that done, otherwise no use frittering away mid-round picks for dorky lazy rentals.
I was thinking the same thing.
To all the Spezza critics "Shut u mouth!"
signed Jason Spezza.
Seriously we must be the only team in the NHL that constantly criticizes one of the top offensive forwards in the league.
these players are all hero's in their repective cities
Stamkos,
Kane,
Giroux
Malkin
Spezza ranks right up amongst them, but if he has a few games with no points, the critics come back with his defensive miscues.
He will never be a Guy Carbonneau, he is a top end offensive player, and like most of them, they make high risk plays, that often work, and are brilliant when they do, but when they don't (less often) they look bad.
Lets embrace the fact that he can singlehandedly take over a game and win it.
Yes he will make the odd bad turnover at the offensive blue line, but I will take that, with the over a pt/game average any day.
Go Sens Go!!!
Go Sens go,
Spendzza
Huge game tonight! Must win!
http://www.topix.net/nhl/2012/02/poll-ranks-kessel-easiest-to-intimidate-in-nhl
Now there's outside confirmation that the Leafs really suck :))
Butler has been flying out there on the top line. Whether it's an improvement in his conditioning or work ethic, or just his confidence starting to grow, he definitely looks good out there lately.
As much as I like Konopka and Carkner as team guys, Lee and O'Brien just bring more to the table.
Come on man that poll is stupid anyway. Look at some of the other players on the list... Kane, Sedins, Kovie.. all great players.
I'm sure lots of defensemen and goaltenders are intimidated by Kessel's speed and wicked release.
After seeing what Kessel continuously does to our Sens, I can't talk shit about the guy.
I think you meant Carkner and Konopka,
but I completely agree, really like the play of all three of those guys, especially Lee, he is such a calming figure out there whenever he has the puck,
Big game tonight,
Anyone one know if we are going with Andy again?
Go Sens Go
Completely agree :) kidding
I tip my hat to you sir... and enjoy you posts as well
After tonight we don't play again until Monday so if we did decide to start Auld, it would give Anderson a nice big juicy rest period leading up to the stretch, which would be great.
On the other hand pretty hand not to play a guy after a shutout the night before... man if it wasn't for Anderson last night I hate to think what the final score may have been.
Yeah I meant Carkner... thanks for pointing that out.
yea. I think that just a little bit of finish with the puck will really go a long way in making O'Brien a whole lot more important. The guy has some serious speed and some serious jump and mucks it up all the time in a good way. no dirty vicious hits, just plain and simple effective. Just a matter of getting that one goal or point. He has instant chemistry with foligno, but Neil looks out of chemistry on that line a little bit. Lee is doing great I think, last night he was really good.
Do you think Alfie said he didn't score just to give that point to Karlsson for his overall stats. It sure seem to have changed direction on his stick.
also big game tonight
with that said, holy crap is he an awkward skater, fast but awkward. maybe reckless is the right word?
lol
the risk lies in his motivation and in any possible trade that should be used to drive the price further down. personally, i would not want the sens to waste a pick on this guy. for LA he is absolutely no use and they want the salary gone. I think Konopka for Penner straight up and then ride Penner on the fourth line to start with along with our hustle boys in O'Brien and Foligno. That btw could be an epic line given the size and speed it would carry.
As much as we should be committed to the rebuild, we should also be committed to getting the most out of Jason Spezza.
True, but like I suggested yesterday, the Sens would be better off to hope Parise hits the market and can be added without giving away the significant pieces required to land Rick Nash.
on second thought. i think there would be not much to gain from Penner. His playoff record isnt anything to write home about...I think he really would only make a decent fourth liner for the sens.
What a great team game, but the stars sure showed up for this game. Anderson looks like a totally different goalie when he's playing like that, one that could actually carry us past the 1st round.
I agree with those of you who find this team looks much better rounded when Lee is in the lineup instead of Carkner. His ability to make the first pass, or bring the puck up the ice is often not credited enough. Also, when his partner gets in a bad situation with the puck (as Cowen or Phillips sometimes do), Lee is calm enough to help them out and get the puck out of the zone. It's a lot of small things, but I find the team just looks so much better with those abilities on the back end through all 3 pairings.
Bring on Florida, it's time they start coming back to earth!
GO Sens GO!!!
And rejoice that we did not give up heater for a slow plug like Penner. He is not even comparable to Michalek now that MM is healthy.
I feel penner for a 6th is worth it. Maybe a 5th...
Let's also be honest and admit, Spezza is and should be our next capitain. With the As falling to Karlsson and Smith/Cowen if they are still around in 2 years (of course they will be)
Praissssee Alfie
And rejoice that we did not give up heater for a slow plug like Penner. He is not even comparable to Michalek now that MM is healthy.
I feel penner for a 6th is worth it. Maybe a 5th...
Let's also be honest and admit, Spezza is and should be our next capitain. With the As falling to Karlsson and Smith/Cowen if they are still around in 2 years (of course they will be)
Praissssee Alfie
If Nash is a long shot possibility, Parise is impossible.
When Parise hits the open market every Tom and Dick will be bidding for him. He's going to get at least what Nash is making, and will want to go to a top contender, and he has no problem playing in a hockey crazy city.
Paying top dollar for a player like Nash is what it costs to be a contender. You can pay it now, and a have a great player in your line-up, who is in his prime years, and signed for another six years. Or, continue slowly down the rebuild path for years to come, and very likely never having a player of his quality in your line-up.
Ottawa meets all the criteria for getting Nash.
1 - Cap space
2 - Credible pieces to trade (1st round pick, top prospect, and a player.)
3 - The best team on which he can make an impact without affecting team chemistry.
4 - He wants to play for an eastern team, but prefers a smaller market away from the hockey crazy media. I'd say Ottawa is a happy medium.
If you want to draw good defenseman to your team without paying through the nose for them, you need to have the offensive pieces in place to ensure they have a greater chance to win.
Top tier players are 1 in a million! Prospects, 1st round picks, and players are a dime a dozen.
We got Filatov for pennies on the dollar, still not giving up on him long term, and I'd do Vermette for Lehner (or a 2nd) straight up right now. I really don't feel like we were robbed on either trade, we just haven't had the best case scenario from either one.
Loved the fight in Karlsson aswell, although it was St.Louis, haha!
I can't see Lou letting Parise walk, I gotta think they find a way to sign him or have a discreet sign and trade agreement, don't get me wrong if he hits the market, Murray should be on him like a fat kid on a smarty but I can't see NJ losing an asset like that without a return.
I'd be ok, with adding Knuble to the mix and the price likely wont be that high. Big talented veteran than can play on the 2nd or 3rd line, power play standing if front of the net and offer some additional leadership.
I'd like to see Alfie pass on the captaincy to Spezza next year. It would be great jester of respect for Alfredson to play his final year(s) under Jason's leadership.
Completely agree, I have been pleading to keep him in the lineup for over a year now... we have to stop dicking around with this guy. He could easily be in the top 6 of most NHL teams, and if we lose him I am sure he will go on to better things.
Keep him in the lineup please!!!
Hee Hee - a "flyweight scrap" with Saint Louis would have given King Karlsson a Gordie Howe hat trick.
I think the one guy to target at this point since so many have fallen off the availability list might be Hemsky. He is still young & could play on our top line for the next 5 yrs & would be a good replacement once Alfie retires. He might cost a little more but IMO would be worth it since he is already at an elite level. He does have a history of injuries & plays a little soft but his high end skill is something Ottawa could use more of.
quote name="Andrews Theory"]Quoting SensChirp:
I can't see Lou letting Parise walk, I gotta think they find a way to sign him or have a discreet sign and trade agreement, don't get me wrong if he hits the market, Murray should be on him like a fat kid on a smarty but I can't see NJ losing an asset like that without a return.
I'd be ok, with adding Knuble to the mix and the price likely wont be that high. Big talented veteran than can play on the 2nd or 3rd line, power play standing if front of the net and offer some additional leadership.
Get a room...