After a long offseason, NHL hockey is finally back!
It may be preseason hockey but it will do. The Sens open up their preseason schedule tonight in Toronto and will feature a line up that includes a mix of veterans and young hopefuls.
Here is a look at the Sens forward combinations for tonight's game courtesy of Brent Wallace on Twitter.
- Filatov-Regin-Butler
- Michalek- Zibanejad-Stone
- Greening- Smith-Neil
- Hoffman-Konopka- Lessard
- Kuba-Karlsson
- Wiercoch-Conboy
- Cowen-Rundblad
Alex Auld and Robin Lehner will split goaltending duties.
Still no word on television coverage for this one. The game will be on Leafs TV so Centre Ice subscribers should be able to tune in.
I'm sure there will be streams available so keep an eye on the comment section for a link.
The video is called "Training Camp - Erik Karlsson"
Been way too long without hockey! GO SENS GO!
It's been a long damn time! So pumped to finally have hockey back. Hope I can find this game on my Bell package tonight.
Four words:
HELL YEAH!
PRAISE ALFIE!
the site is being really whacky for some reason...
I am on IE 6.0 - (at work I have no other choice)
I can't even read the post you sent. Anyone else having this issue?
6.0 is pretty ancient. I think a few standards in web browsers have changed since then. I'd talk to your admin and see about getting your IE at least upgraded to 7.0 or you should be able to use a portable version of chrome or firefox without installing anything.
This site is kinda like that smoking hot chick at a club. Once you start talking to her, you realize she's dumb as a stump AND won't put out! All sizzle, no steak....And yes, I am ONLY talking about the site...Chirp remains as awesome as ever.
Is she dumb because she wont put out to a conservative hippie or to just anyone? Either way she seems pretty smart
Yeah I realize IE 6.0 is big time out of date, but Chrome or Firefox portable aren't an option either as I can't access them...
I'll just sue Citrix... ugh! Sounds good Chirp!
Jonas Gustavsson & Ben Scrivens will split the duties tonight.
Monday's Projected Lines vs. Senators:
Forwards:
MacArthur - Grabokski - Kumemin
Kadri - Bozak - Armstrong
Crabb - Colborne - Frattin
Ryan - Dupuis - Rosehill
Orr
Defence:
Aulie - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Liles
Gunnarsson - Lashoff
Goaltenders:
Gustavsson
Scrivens
Seems Toronto is going with a more experienced top 2 lines.. after all this season is about Wilson saving his ass.
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Only a year away from the expiration of the collective agreement between the league & the players' association, the free spending won't help Bettman's argument for concessions in a new deal. There are now suggestions that a new deal could include provisions for rich teams to spend over the salary cap if they pay a luxury tax to support low-budget teams, as is the case in Major League Baseball.
If that happens, the NHL is headed back to a world where the widest wallet often wins & where owners hike ticket prices to pay for it all.
===========================================================
So we lost a year of hockey over the Cap & it's back to the rich teams being able to spend for the big name & skilled players while the rest of the teams gets what left.
Tor, Det, NYR, Buff -- will spend like crazy.
Looks like they are giving both Regin and Stone some opportunities to show what they have tonight, should be a fun game.
Toronto may actually have a chance for the 1st time since the lockout haha ... I truly hope this doesn't happen though, maybe just a lower cap floor that doesn't move up as fast as the cap ceiling.
Oh and move all those sunbelt teams that just keep losing money!
Pretty solid line up, they're going with what they expect to be their season line up. Colborne is a beast, gonna be interesting to see how our kids do vs a full Leafs squad minus Reimer and Schenn.
I'm not on the inside but I am pretty sure leafs plan to use Kessel and Connolly this season. :)
Kessel and Connolly obviously are in their plans, hmm so who would that push out, or down?
Macarthur, Kadri or Bozak bumped down once Kessel and Conolly return...hmmm
I know Bell Satellite has LEAFS TV and NHL Network (if you have that particular sports THEME pack), however I can't tell if Rogers picks up either of these Networks.
I was hoping to get out with some buddies tonight to watch the game somewhere, but I really don't feel like bar-hopping all night trying to find a Bar that has the Game on either Bell or Rogers (if possible).
Any advice anyone.
I had heard that the game was being aired on NHL Center Ice. Called one of the local watering holes who have it, they looked at the schedule and said it's on tonight. So if your fav pub has Center Ice, you should be able to get them to tune in.
Go Sens Go!!
Wilson is trying to save his ass this year... not surprising he has more experience in the lineup.
Exactly what I was thinking. Switch him with Neil at least give him a little more offense to work with..
Looks a lot better then early graphical renderings appeared to show. Might actually convince me to get one!
I'm going to go with 6-3 for Ottawa, look for Stone to get a couple goals and a fight filled affair!
Auld lets all 3 in
I'll go with a 5-3 Leafs win. Too many regulars in there.
just hope to come out of this without too many injuries.
MacArthur - Grabokski - Kumemin
Kadri - Bozak - Armstrong
Crabb - Colborne - Frattin
Ryan - Dupuis - Rosehill
Orr
Defence:
Aulie - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Liles
Gunnarsson - Lashoff
Goaltenders:
Gustavsson
Scrivens
Pretty solid line up, they're going with what they expect to be their season line up. Colborne is a beast, gonna be interesting to see how our kids do vs a full Leafs squad minus Reimer and Schenn.
I'm not on the inside but I am pretty sure leafs plan to use Kessel and Connolly this season. :)
Leopold too...if he can get his head screwed on ...by the way can anyone tell me how he passed a medical to complete the trade from Nashville ...dude is still suffering from post concussion
FYI Auld is playing the first 30mins.
I hope it magically appears on TV but if not it will be the start of another great Sens tradition at our place. Listening to Team 1200 from the hot tub.
I hope I don't wake up tomorrow with the Dilawri jingle stuck in my head. Again.
Shoot...well there goes my prediction....u mm, still go with 3-2 though lol
Agreed Tookie... especially in the top 6..
Might need to register but still free and probably decent quality.
I hope someone remembers when I labelled him a real upcoming NHL prospect for the sens last fall. He's almost there, love the skill of this kid! Hope you believe it now Tookie ;)
We have just as many regulars in our lineup. The leafs are pretty much without their top line still, just like us.
1) First goal?
2) First tilt? (Win?)
3) Final score?
seen a couple score predictions but lets expand it a little. lets hear them people!
1) Bobby Butler
2) Lessard - Rosehill (Win to Rosehill)
3) 5-3 TOR
Would love the Sens to win, but the Leafers are throwing too much proven offensive strength up there to compete with I'm thinking.
Should be a good game!
1 - Michalek
2 - Lessard, but he trips on his stick as he drops his gloves lol
3 - 6-3 SENS
true, but their top line tonight played together a lot last year and had a lot of success doing so. MacArthur got 62, Grabovski got 58 and Kulemin got 57 points respectivley. Butler was great, but Regin was out for much of last year and Filatov is new to the team. Not sure if they're played enough time with each other to put up big points just yet.
You mean Lombardi, Leopold is a defenceman in Buffalo. And Lupul isn't playing either leaving their entire first line in the press box. I hope Lessard tools Orr!
If our boys can hold back what the laffs are icing I will be pleasantly surprised... Wasn't the Mcarthur,Grabov sky and Kulemin line Toronto's top scoring line last season? We arent really icing a first or second line but just possibles..
Also, with the exception of Kuba and maybe KK our D are newbies...Shoul d be fun to watch...Hope they stand tall and limit chances...
I do expect a lot of dancing tonight...I used to think they were goons but from the looks of both line ups we might be a tad more goonish tonight..
Orr is sitting out this one. Setting up another Carkner-Orr tilt later?
Connolly-Kessel is their first line. Just like Spezza is our's. That 2nd line of the leafs is decent, but top 6 vs top 6 it's pretty even skillwise tonight. Should be fun!
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=376179
I hope the Sens win this one. Refs willing, we just could do it.
Jabs, how can you say that and be serious about it. Stats alone are overwhelmingly in Toronto's favour...
MacArthur 21G 41A
Grabovski 29G 29A
Kulemin 30G 27A
compared to
Spezza 21G 36A
Karlsson 13G 32A
Michalek 18G 15A
It gets much worse from here on down...
They clearly have the advantage in scoring tonight, and with Neil, Lessard, Smith and Konopka playing, I doubt we will be able to match it.
Seems most of you beat me to the comment, I was going to say that the Leafs do have a few of the expected regulars out, like we do. But the current top line they're running with was Toronto's best line last season. Because of the familiarity factor they have I give Toronto the edge. But honestly, that's what I like about our squad, we'll be considered underdogs all season and it feels SO much better when we win in that scenario!
We have the goalie edge I think, so we have a great shot of stealing this one when Lehner shuts the door in the final 30 mins.
Final: Sens 3 - Laughs 2
First Goal - Stone
First Tilt - Lessard vs Rosehill - was Feb 19th we saw them go at it last, we'll see it again. hockeyfights.co m has that match at a draw. http://www.hockeyfights.co m/fights/102439
Sadly, i think this will be true whenever we play them this year. I really hate to admit it, but they have more proven goal scorers then we do. The Sens really need someone to surprise us all, as a 2nd line center, but I'm not holding my breath.
Hoffman and other "future" top 6 guys need to show if they can grind shifts out or not. If they can't they'll sit in the AHL until they're ready to play top 6 in the NHL. If they can grind a bit, they might get to play in the NHL sooner.
Playing with some goons can show their diversity or lack of it.
Stats from last year mean nothing for today. The top 6 we are sporting tonight is 4/6 that we expect to dress up there this year. Looking at last year's stats means absolutely nothing Tookie, you should know that. The past doesn't predict the future, and this upcoming season will not be based off of last year's failures.
You guys are letting the TSN nation get you down way too early!
First Goal - Kulemin
First Tilt - Lessard vs Rosehill
I dunno Jabs....its true that 4 of the top 6 are who we are hoping will be in our top six in the near future...but none of those lines have ever played together before...those same 4 are completely unproven scorers...
I havent looked up the numbers but it is safe to assume that the point total of the first line playing tonight for the toronto is very close to the point total of all our forwards in our line up tonight.... and if you say past totals arent worth much...there is another word that comes to my mind... Chemistry...and that is definitely something that grabovsky line has and we are hoping our lines will have by the end of the preseason..
completely agree,
I will go on record in saying that we finish ahead of the Laffs this year! And Wilson is fired in Jan!
Just disagree that our top 6 tonight is on par with their top 6..
A BIG thank you to you miBAKERke
Your kinda right in regards to past stats not telling the whole story but its a pretty good indicator of how a team will look like or should look like.
As for Ottawa, its kinda hard to say what will happen, the season was a disaster and stats were skewed because of it, so is it better to base yourself off no stats at all, clean starts?? You still dont get an idea since Ottawa is a big unknown as to how they will do or play.
You have a sense as to how the Leafs will play, because of last year, they have a decent squad that plays a team game, much like we do, they are just ahead in their rebuild at this point in time.
Your already on record saying the Sens make the playoffs, or are you backing out of that one?
Typical sens fan comment... any so called negative talk about the sens means you are a leaf fan...kinda getting old...
Also we are just starting the first game of preseason hockey and some of you are already jumping to the outcome of the season...
I am pretty sure all todays line up discussion was in reference to tonight's game..not about the season...so hold your horses...:)
Chemistry is very important, and come the regular season I'm sure we'll have some on our top lines. But the balance on our lines tonight is interesting enough to give the leafs a real run at it. People forget that the Toronto line everyone is talking about had a career year last year and one I do not believe they can repeat. Most overrated line in hockey imo!
yah I was afraid you would remember :)
I really did think we would go out and get a second line centre. Reality states that the playoffs will be very challenging, but I still think we have a shot.
If I had a choice between the current Leafs rebuild and the Sens' one I would take our's every time and not because I'm a homer. Their D is not that good, their forward prospects are good, but aside from Kessel they don't really have anyone I see being a perennial all-star. And Reimer is interesting, but I see a Steve Mason type learning curve there.
Who do you like on their team long term?
Those are Centre Ice channels and unless there is a free preview going on right now, you wont be able to see it.
You need the Centre Ice packages OR the Super Sports pack from Rogers (which I have)
If I remember correctly, Rogers did put the preseason games on their Rogers 22 chanel.
They might not have as big a season but you still can't take them for granted...
I dont mean to sound negative and put out boys down...I am crazy excited about tonights game...So excited that i havent been able to get any work done today...just been day dreaming of the possible chemistry between filatov and butler and the possibility of Regin making things difficult for management...
Yeah i think they are up against a slightly higher skilled team tonight, however I also believe they wont make things easy for the laffs tonight...It will be exciting hockey win or lose..
Go Sens Go!
1) Karlson
2) Smith - Ryan (Smith)
3) 4-3 TOR (OT)
Well, Rogers 22 DID replay the games from the Rookie Tournament, so I feel like they are really looking for things to throw up there. :)
Here's hoping they do it, because I don't have NHL Centre Ice. Any word on some streams? I'm at work, but I will dig around once I get home.
The Leafs rebuild should be further advanced than ours because they've had a 4 year head start. The difference is that our starting point for the rebuild was better and our prospects are probably better which means our rebuild should be shorter.
I think the Leafs will finish above the Sens this year, but we will be above them the year after and far above them the year after that.
The biggest difference is that I don't see the sens organisation wandering around with it's head up it's arse for five years like Toronto did.
Well for one I tend to think their D is gonna be a very good on in the future.
Schenn is and will be a great D for years to come (better than our Cowen)
Aulie, another great prospect who is turning out to be a future All-Star
Gardiner, this kid reminds me of Paul Coffey, nuff said.
And those are just their kids, add Liles, Phaneuf, Franson, Gunnarsson
On forward, I do like Kessel, 30 goals garanteed...
Kulemin, already on team and IMO just starting his prime.
Near future
Colborne
D'Amigo
Caputi
Kadri, dont like him but had to mention him, has the talent but no drive.
I just dont see us scoring anything but punches with that line up, Neil, Smith, Lessard, Konopka...come on. The skill on the ice tonight heavily favours the Leafs, no question.
But with that said, Lehner could save the day, if Auld can keep it within 1-2 goals, Lehner should and I expect him to shut the door for 30 min!
@Tookie
you are definitely biased towards Toronto, most leaf fans would gladly swap their D prospects for ours.
Cowen, Rundblad, Borowiecki, Wiercioch, Gryba add Karlsson and Lee to that mix, most teams would be jealous.
That list really does make you sound like a Leafs fan ;)
I'd be highly amazed to see those players reach such high levels. I think Kessel can be a 50 goal guy with the right C, but his D is so weak for a 1st line player. Schenn will be really good, I just see him being more like Phillips+ then anything. Kulemin is the 1 guy on that 2nd line I like.
As an example Tookie, check out this prospect ranking list http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1072
How many leafs and how many Sens?
My biggest problem with most Leaf prospects are they are overrated (Kadri) or 1 way players. BM drafts for the full distance of the ice ... which is actually my biggest worry with Butler long term, is his lack of D.
He asked me who did I like...
Only comparision I made was Schenn to Cowen, and I do think Schenn is better by far.
if your optimism about the Sens was anything like your optimism about the Leafs, your comments would look a hell of a lot like mine.
Ya, that's what I'm hoping for. I could see it being high scoring on both sides.
Schenn
Aulie
Gardiner
Blacker
That is definitely not a bad list.
And I think on offense they are much thinner than us in terms of prospects, they pretty much have their core (MacArthur, Grabs, Kulemin, Kessel) players in now (except Kadri & Colborne), hence why the more skilled team tonight.
"By far?" that is quite the statement. what do you see in schenn that you dont see in Cowan? what are you basing that on? what you saw in the rookie tourney? schenn is awesome; both he and cowan will be top shut down guys for their respected NHL teams for years to come. but by far? im not sure I see how anyone could see that at this stage. im curious if you can convince me otherwise.
Go Sens Go?
I'm enjoying the discussion. Do you feel MacArthur and Grabs are true 2nd line players for their careers though? I could see Grabs being a 2B, but MacArthur to me is a 3rd line player. For the leafs sake I sure hope Connolly stays healthy all year. They have a good team and good prospects, no denying that, but after so many years I'd expect a lot more if those prospects were actually going to be top end players. They may score this year, but I have a feeling they'll still lose a lot of 4-2, 5-3 type games.
233 PIM for portland last year, 21 fighting majors.
You could argue that Schenn has proved himself whilst Cowen has everything still to prove. Mitigation is that Schenn is older (although only by 14 months) and Cowen suffered a serious injury causing him to drop in the draft.
I think Schenn is better than we like to give him credit for (obviously as a leaf he must suck) and I think he will be an excellent player. I also think Karlson's agent was looking at his 3.6 per year and thinking that's our lower benchmark for his next contract.
To say he's going to be far better than Cowen at this point in time is only an opinion, but if Cowen ends up being close to as good a player as Schenn, I think we should be very pleased.
i literally lol ed
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/13240/zibanejad_and_puempel_among_new_prospects_in_ottawa_senators_top20/
Biggest surprises to me were Puempel that high and Filatov that low. I like where Wiercioch is on that list, though I guess from reading comments some people think he's much lower. Bright future in Ottawa!
Butler
Konopka
If mogul is not going to keep that bet I want it (tookie)
How has everyone let him get away with saying this? This is the funniest thing I've heard in months! If Aulie is a future all-star then Rundblad is already in the Hall of Fame.
And Tookies stats about the Leafs top 6 is all well and good... but its meaningless. He forgot to mention that even with the Sens having one of the worst seasons in 15 years, we still split the season series with the Leafs 3-3. We also shut them out... TWICE; and one of those times Elliott was in net. Where was the super offense there?
If the Sens lose tonight, it will be because they get outworked, not because they're powerless to defend against the almighty Leaf attack.
Every SENS fans should HATE the leafs.
**Anyone in the western regions who have Shaw and subscribed to Centre Ice last year and have renewed this year get free access to NHl.com's Game Center Live..So If you can't find it on tv, try nhl.com.
thats way behind ours no matter how you look at it.
http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/7933/1/nhl-network.html
Enjoy!
Awesome thanks man!
http://veetle.com/index.php/channel/view#4e762826b1fdc
Cursed Internet Explorer....
Instigating the fight I guess....
Thanks bud!
Sens are sloppy but it's the first time some of these guys have played together. Why does sens management insist of putting lessard in these preseason games. we have players that need a look at not someone who needs to enforce. leave that for neil, smith, cowen and konopka. I have yet to see this new change of plan but overall its the first preseason game
Oh, Auld is playing well also.
leafs are pushing them off the puck a little too easy.
We definitely look small out there tonight, especially on D.
Crossed my mind too...I really hope not. He had a good first part of the 1st.
10min misconduct
way to go Cowan
We need a way to synch this shit so we can watch the feed but listen to Team 1200. Damn I've missed Dean Brown - great to tune into the 1st period on radio tonight!
No kidding.
I've been watching for maybe 5 minutes, and we are getting seriously outplayed with effort.
Not to mention we're interfering with our own goalie.
Spezza and Alfie better not get injured at all this year or else we're screwed.
I seriously do not think even a completely healthy Spezza/Alfie will make this team reach the levels a lot of people around here are hoping for.
In a rebuild...
With a lineup full of kids.
It's going to be a long year for alot of you, if that's your attitude already.
Wait, I thought there were no expectations this year. Am I wrong?
yes. every year is to achieve the stanley cup. no one goes in with the intentions of failing.
Depends who you are asking, some people genuinely expect us to make the playoffs.
Unless you're Edmonton!
That is obviously the dream of every team...anyone being remotely realistic realizes that at the start of the season there MAY be 6 teams with a genuine shot at winning the cup.
Things change during the season to do minor tweaking of the few teams(like a Crosby injury)...but a team like Ottawa won't go from a likely bottom 5 finish(as per almost any analyst, to the stanley cup)
would you buy tickets to a team that is suppose to lose? were not facing the harlem globetrotters day in/ day out
***Off Topic***
What is with the site saying I posted recently and can't post again...never noticed that before. Isn't the point of this to converse back and forth?? This really makes that difficult.
I agree TC - hopefully with the coming site revamp "flood control" will be a bit more lax, allowing us to "chat" while games are on etc.
Filitov has some speed too, pretty much undressed Phaneuf and almost scored a goal after...
RE: Site - Yeah I've got that message too but it goes away pretty quick...
Don't get me wrong, the new site is much prettier...but functionality is more important to me for a site like this.
yes, I support our team through the thick and thin...not just when we are "expected" to win.
Buckle up for a bad year what with the rigged Sens vs Leafs sked where we play another game EVERY night before we face the pole tuggers in blue&white. Aaargh.
Decent effort tonight Sens, good start, it's only pre-season.
Did he say he is Jason Spezza? *confused*
Rundblad looks good and should be the 1st call-up. If BM makes a trade sooner would be preferred.
Kuba just doesn't fit, and I wish they would try others with Karlsson.
Lehner looks better then Auld but might as well take 60+ games in the AHL.
Zibanejad is good, but I think he looks like an NHL 3rd liner right now with upside.
Filatov is just too small right now, nice skills though. Will be much better in 3-4 years when he fills out. Offensive 3rd liner with Zibanejad and Regin/Foligno/Greening/Condra?
Regin makes so much happen, just has trouble capitalizing.
Not the result I expected or hoped for, glad that's not our full lineup. GO SENS GO!!!
I really don't think you can take anything from this game as a sign of things to come. It was the first pre-season game with a bunch of players that are just trying to figure each other out with tons of pressure to impress. Toronto had way more chemistry tonight because most of them have played together previously. Give the guys time to gel.
I only meant in regards to penalty trouble. :)
I take from it Cowan needs to make the team now, no AHL.
Get it done BM