For head coach Paul MacLean and the rest of the staff, this will be their second last opportunity to evaluate the guys they have in camp. After a weaker line up in Newfoundland, the Sens will ice a much stronger group on home ice.
Here is how the Sens are expected to line up.
- Greening-Spezza-Filatov
- Foligno-Regin-Condra
- Hoffman-Zibanejad-Butler
- Daugavins-Smith-Neil
- Gonchar-Borowiecki
- Cowen-Karlsson
- Rundblad-Lee
Robin Lehner will make the start in the Ottawa goal and is scheduled to play the full 60 minutes. Craig Anderson had a "maintenance issue" but is expected to be good to go on Thursday when the Sens close out the preseason against the Bruins.
Tonight's game can be seen on Rogers TV and heard live on the Team 1200. I also have a pair of tickets to give away for this one so keep an eye on the site for details on how you can win.
Michalek, Alfredsson, Regin, Greening, Smith, Butler, Spezza, Filatov, Condra, Daugavins, Da Costa, Neil, Konopka, Hoffman, Foligno, Zibanejad, Winchester
D: Phillips, Karlsson, Gonchar, Kuba, Carkner, Lee, Cowen, Runblad, Wiercioch, Borowiecki
Auld, Anderson, Lehner
Runblad, Wiercioch, Borowiecki wont make it.
Book it!
J Cowen 2G 1A = 3pts
M. Michalek 2G 1A = 3pts
N. Filatov 0G 3A = 3pts
P. Regin 0G 3A = 3 pts
Z. Smith 2G 0A = 2 pts
M. Zibanejad 2G 0A = 2 pts
C. Neil 2G 0A = 2 pts
B Lee 1G 1A = 2pts
N. Foligno 0G 2A = 2pts
S. Da Costa 0G 2A = 2 pts
F. Kuba 0G 1A = 1 pt
E. Condra 0G 1A = 1 pt
J. Spezza 0G 1A = 1 pt
D. Rundblad 0G 1A = 1 pt
D. Alfredsson 0G 1A = 1pt
Not sure if there was more then Alfredsson's assist on the goal last night... can't find a boxscore... does anyone know?
Without Kuba to pass to the Leafs, strong players and goaltending, 5-1 Sens!
GO SENS GO!
I'm not sure if we'll win or lose tonight, but I'll go on a limb and say 3-2 Sens
Lupul-Kadri-Kessel
Frattin-Boyce-Armstrong
Rosehill-Dupuis-Orr/Crabb
Liles-Schenn
Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Aulie-Franson
Tookie,
We don't need your negativity around here. Thanks for coming out but kindly leave. Don't you have work to do?
FORWARDS
Milan Michalek ($4.333m) / Jason Spezza ($7.000m) / Nikita Filatov ($2.195m)
Colin Greening ($0.816m) / Peter Regin ($1.000m) / Daniel Alfredsson ($4.875m)
Nick Foligno ($1.200m) / Mika Zibanejad ($1.775m) / Bobby Butler ($1.050m)
Zenon Konopka ($0.700m) / Zack Smith ($0.700m) / Chris Neil ($2.000m)
Erik Condra ($0.625m) / Jesse Winchester ($0.750m)
DEFENSEMEN
Erik Karlsson ($1.300m) / Jared Cowen ($1.265m)
Chris Phillips ($3.083m) / Brian Lee ($0.875m)
Sergei Gonchar ($5.500m) / David Rundblad ($1.500m)
Matt Carkner ($0.700m)
GOALTENDERS
Craig Anderson ($3.187m) / Alex Auld ($1.000m)
BUYOUTS: Jonathan Cheechoo ($1.166m) / Daniel Alfredsson ($0.700m) / Ray Emery ($0.562m)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $49,860,833; BONUSES: $3,650,000
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $14,439,167
Tim Conboy (OTT)
Francis Lessard (OTT)
Corey Locke (OTT)
Nobody cares what you think and if you want the Leaf line-up go ImaLeafHomer.co m and go away.
Exactly and we're better off without him!
That's pretty close to their full lineup, should be a good test for those Sens in the lineup tonight. I'll take the Sens 4-3 in regulation.
Smith, Neil and Cowen are going to be pretty busy!
I just hate (OK'dislike' cause people here will be offended) Leaf fans and wish they would gloat on their own sites.
I'm beginning to figure out our friend Tookie, aka Tookie19,
he knows the game of hockey very well, is super controversial, funny at times, but down deep insde, I think
he is a real Sens fan, and is developing ADD ??
No offense implied buddy !!
Rockin Robert
Agreed, definitely going to be some tough choices for PM to make. Konopka and Carkner may not have as big of a role this year as they may have expected.
Did i miss something? Is he on waivers? I hope...
I could care less what tookie thinks. he's entitled to his wrong opinion, just as I am. I wasn't "crapping" on him but he did say a few weeks ago that Aulie is an all-star and the context was leafs prospects are better than sens. this is a sens board and pro-leafs comments can and will be "crapped on."
When the Alfie signed his new contract -- the team had to 'buy out' the option years on his old contract..
At least I think that's how it went.
Going to the game... I just hate (or should I say really dislike) drunken, arrogant, nothing to brag about Leaf fans.
Hoping for a Sens win if nothing that to shut up those Leaf fans.
Leafs have almost their full lineup. Sens not so much.
Will be a good test.
Hopefully they play the full game this time instead of just the last 20 min like yesterday.
Yup...he exists to create interest. Even hot 89.9 uses friends to call in with wild calls to generate hype. Personally, a very shrewd move on Chirps part. Yin to the Yang, just like the Beatles needed the rolling stones...bonus points to anyone who can give me movie where that quote is from...
Haha Talladega Nights was a classy movie, the extended version ruins most of the jokes though.
Think of Gryba except better. He's mainly a tough stay at home Dman, has a decent point shot.
Never said their prospects were better, they are just ahead of ours, in a few years our will surpass theirs.
Never said Aulie was an All-Star, now you just look like a idiot, I said he had the potential to be one, at 6'5 200 with great skating ability, its rare.
Oh and if I was such a Leaf homer, I wouldnt have asked for the line up and would not have forgotten the Leafs BEST player when making lineups vs the Sens...hahah nice try tho douchbag...
Dont get so worked up about Tookie's comments. I will cheer for the sens every game, but more often than not, I will be expecting a loss
p.s. sorry if this has already been posted
I am a huge Sens fan, I just dont sugarcoat it like most, our prospect pool was dying, we injected life into it but dont be stupid and think those prospects we just got can compete in the NHL right away. Its gonna be some tough years, possibly even gather another load of prospects in next years draft and then be set for 10-15 years.
What would you rather have, a couple of poor seasons, gathering high draft picks to infuse youth and possibly elite talent and ensure we contend for the next 10-15 years...
or
Play our young talent now and possibly finish mid standings every year and watch our prospect pool dwindle as we pick mid to high draft picks every year. Oh and notice that we dont have a sure fire elite talent in our prospect pool still.
The choice is obvious, we're in a rebuild folks, its hardly over, we didnt get a Crosby or an Ovechkin, hell we didnt even get a Toews or a Kane or a Richards or Giroux.
Potentially yes.
Any of you have the balls to step up and say why your feelings are so hurt or do you all enjoy hiding like little girls too much?
Always knew you were a huge Sens fan, but in the same breath
you are more pessimist and love to create debate.
I somewhat agree with your points in your dissertation, but we also never had an elite player, when we went to 2007 Stanley Cup finals,and still other than Spezza, we are not looking for one, but we sure are developing little by little !
Rockin Robert
I would put Spezza in the elite category in 2007, he was easily a top 8 center in the league.
And did you forget Heatley, easily an elite player when we had him.
NOW THAT'S A REAL POSITIVE PRO - OTTAWA STATEMENT !!
FINALLY !!
Heatley was somewhat elite, thanks to Spezza and Alfie ,
but in last 2 years ,he is done as an elite player do you not agree??
Thanks Tookie 19 .............
Rockin Robert
Keith Aulie ceilings at 4th d-man. Book THAT Tooks.
Hockey Futures agrees with you
"Future
Aulie is penciled into a starting six spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2011-12 season.
Projection: Defensive stalwart, with complimentary top-four capability"
you are more pessimist and love to create debate
You're right, he's like the #1 fan...HUGE FAN. Loves all the players, coaches, fans, city, dislikes our rivals...huge fan.
Haha this one is pure speed! Good luck!
Now I just have to worry about whether or not I got the answer right :)
Top four capability means anything from 1 to 4. Which I agree with aswell.
Tookie cannot win, because he is too busy to even glance at the question for the ticket contest !
Rockin Robert
Dont have one, I do have Alfie and Spezza tho and in the next few years possibly Noesen!
Never said Aulie was an All-Star, now you just look like a idiot, I said he had the potential to be one, at 6'5 200 with great skating ability, its rare.
Oh and if I was such a Leaf homer, I wouldnt have asked for the line up and would not have forgotten the Leafs BEST player when making lineups vs the Sens...hahah nice try tho douchbag...
Aww muffin, you okay? having a bad day? Maybe the leafs will win tonight, that should cheer you up.
Now back to reality, this is what you said;
"Aulie, another great prospect who is turning out to be a future All-Star"
calling me an idiot and a douchebag was a little much. at least be right if you're going to throw that out there.
Exactly, read into the sentence. Turning out to be a future All-Star. Never said he was and never said he would be.
Didnt know I had to spell it out for you, took you a long time to find those quote and all for nothing, lol. nice try tho.
I would think in this day and age, we would have progressed beyond calling out anyone, let alone each other, by using such crude and distasteful terms.
If you have any decency at all, please refrain - even in anger - from using the most hateful word of all "Leaf Fan"
Thank You.
I know, weird, right? Its like SlickRick saying something relevant...
First off depending on when you bought it, it might only be 720p/1080i. If you only watch HD on TV and not blu-rays then that might also be the issue as Rogers/Bell/Who ever only broadcast in 1080i which would look worse then a blu-ray outputing at 1080p.
Another factor could be the type of TV you are using and the location in which you are watching it. LCD/LED = Brighter Areas, Plasma = Darker Areas (Unless you have one with glare protection built into the glass).
LED's look quite a bit better then their older LCD siblings in my opinion and so if you're comparing the two then the LED will always look sharper.
Plasma's if you buy the right one (Pioneer/Panaso nic) should always look the best providing they are in the right lighting environment due to: High contrast ratio/better black levels/higher speed.
usually it has to do with the settings on the tv, if you do some searching online, you can usually find the best color settings/bright ness/contrast, etc.
other than that, it would likely be the source that is the problem. I've seen where satellite HD is more compressed than cable and doesnt look as "HD" as cable.
just some thoughts.
Two hours until game time, so the real question is who will be tonight's singer?!
There's nothing wrong with Tookie's outlook on the team. I dont understand why everyone get so worked up over what he says and he probably loves how crazy it makes all of you.
I'm sure there's on thing we can all agree on, and that is with a couple years of growing pains and development and infusion of young top end talent, this team will be a dangerous and exciting team each night they take the ice.
Go sens go ma' fuckas!!
Seriously Chirp you gotta do something, the level of discussion here is horrible lately. Reading/discuss ing/commenting on your old site used to be the "highlight of my internet day"(that sounds uber retarded but can't come up with a better way to put it)....now even making it through the comment section is verging on impossible.
I know the idiotic comments that are sure to follow this...go nuts and reiterate my pointo put it)....now even making it through the comment section is verging on impossible.
I know the idiotic comments that are sure to follow this...go nuts and reiterate my point
http://twitter.com/HockeyBreak - Jason Spezza says he is open to being moved if that is what the Sens think is best but he is not hoping to be traded.
As for your assessment of the Officiating...n ow that's one we can agree to disagree on...
if that's legit I suspect more has been said then has been let on. There is no reason for him to say something like that(which kinda contradicts what he has said before)
http://habsvision.blogspot.com/
if not try www.chilisports.strikehost.info
i second that notion. i remember just this past summer, reading the comments was actually "fun" even with Tookie's comments, he atleast gave proper arguments. today all i read is guys wanting x-player to make the team and guys making their dream lineups for the sens of what they think would work best..
From a maximizing our talent perspective I see the value in moving him.
I truly believe that we have enough prospects with the exception of one: top line scoring winger. Fortunately there are a ton of those available in the upcoming draft.
some games look ok, some look great, depends where the game is and what cameras are being used. calgary,vancouv er and toronto home games look way better then those in ottawa, edmonton and smaller fan based franchises. its a pitty but hopefully every game is in 1080p soon. the top us teams are 1080, pittsburgh, chicago,detroit ,boston,san jose philly are all great feeds, the rangers even offer 3d1080p home games.
cheers, go sens go
I won't disagree but even if that's the case you probably wouldn't want to move him this year when his stock is the lowest. You have to see how he produces this season and be damn confident you have a 1C in the wings
i'm excited for his progress and i cant wait for our frachise to be led by a canadian, alfie has been a great leader, i hope spezza learned lots from him and takes this team to the promised land. alfie would be more then welcome as an assistant coach when he retires, i would like to see his leadership continue past his playing years.
I think that was by far his biggest weakness last year. If he can be quicker on his feet he could really become a dominant player down low. He could definetly make a case to be a top 6 forward. Or at the very least make his stock rise for us to be able to trade him away and get the franchise a solid asset like a 2nd or 3rd rnd pick.
Personally I would love him to play on the 3rd line LW and have Zibanejad play centre and Greening play RW. That could be an elite physicall/fast/ skilled 3rd line.
If we could then have either Regin or DaCosta play well in the 2nd line spot between Michalek and Alfie. And have Butler and Filatov play on Spezza's wings. 4th line could be a big tough bruising one with Z.Konopka Z.Smith C.Neil that would be extremely tough to play against. You would then have Condra and Winchester as your scratches in case of injuries
the habsvision stream is perfect
stream for the game!
and why the hell does everyone call rundblad "rooondbad"????
couldnt agree more. cant forget about da costa too.
in my opinion winchester, regin, and kuba can step aside and make room.
Neil, Smith, Dagauvins, Zibby, who would of thunk it!!
aw man... can I still give you a hard time for it?
SCRAMBLE!!!
It's amazing how many critics doubt the Sens...
just call him MIKACHU! :)
Watching it on 451 Rogers, pretty fair commentary.
If the Sens win, sure you can, rip me good, dont hold back.
Also very impressed by Cowen, Rundblad, Filatov, Smith and Hoffman.
I hope that level of determination continues into the regular season.
He should be one of the first callups on offense.
Thanks man, 'preciate it
451 is the same as 22. Its Rogers Local Ottawa. Doubt they would be critical of the home team...
Spezza, Zibanejad, Da Costa, Silfverbeg, Regin (maybe)....wher e the hell r we gonna put these guys?
c'mon lehner step it up, lets beat those leafs!
The Sens are good. Filatov is sick
On the negative side of things, how come the kids are outshining the vets in this game. Not the least bit impressed with Spezza, Gonch, or Karlsson tonight.
He is -1 and 0pts but yeah, sick I guess...
This doesn't prove that he isn't good.
Shoulda coulda woulda dont win you games, points do, he has 0.
Spezza is -2 and 0pts... I guess he isn't any good either ;)
Yah he's been absolute shit tonight haha can't deny that Filatov has shown up to play though.
Or both! :)
Hasnt done much with his 8 minutes so far, not even a shot on net...
It's great to have a preseason where it's about who outshines who, instead of just who shows up. Great competitions going on, missed that the last few years!
Thats an intriguing possibility if Regin is out longterm.
But yeah he's sick, maybe with a chest cold?
Tooks, you're too smart to fall prey to simplistic stats.
Filatov'll probably be talked to during 2nd intermission and will pick it up on in the third. He doesn't seem to have a lot of stamina- looks like he gets tired quickly.
"Spezza, only 57 (?) points last season. the lowest of all team leaders".
Completely neglected that he missed 20 games.
Our D needs to cut the cutesy-showboat ing bullshit and start playing a sound defensive game or we are going to look horrendous all year.
Did you see who was in net and a good defense is also offense.
I don't know what highlight you guys were watching, but that was clearly a cheap shot. Not a 'coincidental' collision.
Be patient.
If that was a cheap shot, than the accidental elbow to Foligno's head in the 2nd was an intent to decapitate and should demand not less than over 9000 games suspended.
Dunno what you're talking about. First of all, the team had energy and was generating chances until the midway point of the third period where they slowed down. There were moments when Karlsson, Rundblad, Filatov and Zibanejad were putting on posession clinics in the Leafs zone; I'm sure you would have preferred to see them dump it in and break off for a change.
The worst defensive lapse was the giveaway that led to the first goal, and that was Spezza, not one of our defenseman.
I wasn't expecting the team to win, but I'm pleased to see that they put forth a solid effort.
had to browse a few of the comments before weighing in.
1) in game experience is definitely improved this year. cheerleaders were out in force but there was definitely alot more to it.
2) filatov looked to be the most dangerous player on the sens all night, just a matter of time before he racks up some points.
3) not sure what the deal is with Karlsson, maybe trying to do to much or maybe he's easing into the season but he wasnt great tonight.
4) rundblad is getting better quickly and looks like he'll develop pretty fast by staying in NA.
5)Lehner is not ready for prime time, a year in Bingo will go a long way. he seems to be dropping down a bit early leaving the top of the net open and he needs to work on his strength(supris ing) in terms of holding the post when he's down
loved daug tonight, although he seems to play smaller than his frame.
Its posts like this that keep me from contributing on here...Just cause a "realist" posts a prediction of a sens loss he is automatically a leaf troll?? For crying out loud every one is titled to their own opinion and if I think the sens are going to lose I should be able to say so with out being insulted by the title "Leaf Fan". To be honest, looking at the line up this afternoon my first thought was, we are once again icing a weaker team and if you din't think the same then I wouldnt mind knowing who your dealer is cause what ever you are smoking could come in handy every now and then...
Guys that impressed:
Cowen: Kid is a freaking beast out there! No way this kid doesnt start with the team.
Filatov: Smooth with some dandy puck handling skills..Hope him and Spezza start to click soon.
Lee: Nothing fancy about this kid but he keeps his game nice and simple and was pretty solid tonight.
Smith: Was skating hard tonight. And the play leading to the goal of his was sheer beauty.
Zibby: I really hope we let this guy play here. The guy is alot bigger than i expected and plays hard. I guess with Regins injury the decision to keep him here might be a little easier.
Guys that were meh..
Rundblad: Zero Confidence! Hope we can convince him to start in the AHL so that he builds confidence and gets used to the smaller ice.
Daugavins: Seemed like he was a chicken with his head chopped off in the neutral zone..had no clue what was going on... Noticed him for all the not so good reasons.
Greening: Dint notice him on the ice and given he was on the first line that shouldnt have been the case..
All in all a good back and forth game. I wasn't really expecting the win but i think our boys played on par with what was 80% of the leafs starting roster. Tis going to be a season of close games like tonight and we might not win too many of them but the games sure are going to be ridiculously exciting. If we had better finishers, tonight's end result might have been different.
Cant wait till opening night.
Go sens go!
Same with Smith, I'll take him over Kelly in the third slot any day, he simply brings more to the table and has a much better set of hands.
still not sure on what is best for zibby. as good as he's been he may develop faster playing in sweden. the transition to the north american style is a non factor for him so ithink its just a matter of continuing to develop offensive consistency in my opinion
Agree that EK dint look at his best tonight and thought that might have been due to him trying to out skate everyone on the ice. Agree with your thoughts on Lehner as well..
Not so much about daug though...but I could have been influenced by fellow sens fans around me pointing out his every mistake..
spezza, filatov, 9mm
dacosta,zibby, alfie
my thoughts on daug were more specific to the offensive zone especially given who his line mates were and his ice time. funny, two people can watch the same game and have different view points on things.
This actually brings up another topic...I know sitting in the 100s is something people drool over and it is nice to be that close to the bench/players.. . but man do you miss alot of the game at the other end of the ice...Pretty sure people must have already discussed this over the years...but I rarely get to sit in the 100s and honestly i'd rather be up in the 200s..
Let's hope that Regin is not out for more than 2 weeks.
Rockin Robert
so i was front row 200's visiting end last night but i have half a season in the 100's same end.
Ive sat pretty much everywhere, i think its fun to mix it up. sitting against the glass you miss alot but you also see and hear alot more when the play is around you so thats cool. club seats are really the best of everything but sitting up in the penthouse boxes is a great experience as well.
ultimately, all of the seats at scotia bank offer something a little bit different and a different perspective on the play.
What??? Lets DO hope he is out for the season!!!
Would you rather see Regin or Zibanejad?
actually, smith is pencilled into the 3rd line ctr position...he has alot more offensive punch than kelly did (not saying i didn't like kelly...)
and yes Tookie, if I had to choose between Regin and Zibby, I'd take Zibby. I think peoples expectations on Regin are way off base, he'd probably excel in the KHL or another league but he's not a ctr in the NHL at least not a 2nd line ctr.
I'm glad someone else has noticed - he has been pathetic. It's as if he thinks he has a spot guaranteed. I have to think the Senators staff is disappointed too. Perhaps he needs to go back down to Bingo?
Conditioning level
Some of the players just might not be back to the conditioning level that they were at last season. Not everyone conditions like the elite athletes.
Consistency
Not being in the lineup every night or getting the same amount of minutes is probably difficult to get back to the form you were in before.
Its preseason
If you're a shoo in, preseason doesn't mean that much. Terrible mentality, but I bet you some players think it.
Sens came out much stronger at the beginning and fell off in the 2nd and 3rd. That's not to say they didn't continue to compete. Stats wise they matched up ok, ended the game with with a close shot count, more hits, 31 faceoff wins vs 30. What killed them were the giveaways, 15 vs 4. In a quick back and forth transition game like last night, giveaways will make or break you.
But don't worry fellow Sens fans, it's only pre-season. When you got teams like Montreal, Anaheim, Jersey, Rangers, Chicago, Detroit, LA and Vancouver who are all expected to compete (according to most) with only 1 or 2 wins, it's a clear indication that you can't put too much stock into what happens. Remember, the pre-season is more of a tool used to give young guys a chance to play some NHL minutes, even though for the most part, they are not always playing against bonafide NHL starters. With Neil and Smith leading in points, it's obvious.
He is just so soft on the puck, really hope he turns it around once the real games start.
As for MZ93, keep him in the big leagues. Ask yourself this, if you're picking a team for pick up hockey, who do you take to play on your team, Da Costa, Regin or MZ93?
MZ93 everytime.
Will trust in Murray and MacLean to make the right more for the right reasons here.
impressive
Cowen- must be top 4 he is consistantly playing very well
Borowiecki- may not make it this year but he is very composed for a rookie
Da Costa- as promised
Zibby- will be our next star
Smith- will fit in 3rd line nicely
Spezza- give him someone to play with
Condra- picked up where he left off
Michalek-better than ever in a sens uniform
Dissappointing
Butler - looks awful- not top 6 and showing he cannot play with Spezza
Kuba-proving he can no longer play NHL level
Greening-he is not top 6 Smith is better then him in PS
Regin-oh man if it is his shoulder this could hamper his career
Rundblad-shut up about SEL and earn your way on the team by hard work in th A
and finally as much as this hurts
Alfie-age is catching up to him, he will be good, but not our old Alfie superhero
Karlsson-he is good for a left winger, but less than par as a D-man
EXACTLY! It's PRE-SEASON. Remember BRANDON BOCHENSKI anyone? The guy who lit it up during preseason, even went so far as to say he could score and pass where Spezza, Heatley and Alfie were one-dimensional in comparison? Where was he come game 20?
Aside from seeing what the young guys are capable of, it means NOTHING, 5-0 or 0-5, you still start the year at 0-0-0. And even with seeing what the kids are capable of doesn't mean they will be able to keep it up in game 2, yet alone game 20.
I guess I'm one of the minority who not only said "Rebuild it!" but is actually sticking to it. People gyrating now and calling for heads to roll are going to be in for a very difficult two-three years.
I fully expect the team to improve over the course of the year but the team is what it is... support them, cheer for them to win every night but don't shit all over them if they fail to meet your expectations. The main reason this camp has been fairly competitive is that we don't currently have players that are lights out better than everyone else with the exception of spezza.
Remember when karlsson was disappointing in the pre-season and everyone thought it was a sophmore slump?...he wen on to score 45 points...hes an elite offensive defnsemen, stop trying to turn him into a forward, its not gonna happen.
Will he be even better next season? Yes
I think Zibanejad and Rundblad should both be on this team, come midseason I think we'll see them both be in NHL form.
But with all the contracts we have it makes that even more difficult. Tough call for the Murrays and MacLean but I do think they'll make the right choice.
I would add Lehner to the list that have not impressed much so far. I can't remember one of our goalies having such tremendous rebound control problems as Robin did last night. Hopefully just getting the timing and relaxes honed still this early into the campaign, but you wont win many games giving away 2nd and 3rd chances on almost every attack - especially against a decent "garbage goal team" like Toronto.
you know who you are...
it's okay to speak your mind. If you disagree with what someone has said, the point of the site is for you to explain why you disagree, that is called a "discussion"...
this is called the "internet" and unlike your day to day routine of getting physically picked on, I can promise you, no one is waiting to stick your head in the urinal.
feel free to jump in and tell someone why they are wrong...
Gee tookie... you have an inside track to the coaching staff? Basically the whole team stopped playing in the 2nd & 3rd..especially the D and Lehner. Is Lehner going through the sophomore jinks? Karlsson was the worst player on the ice tonight.
Question is.. what if Neil was the one that got hurt on that play... what would the Leafs broadcaster have to say then? Grabo should be suspended? My guess is no.
Did you see the lineups? The Leafs had the regular season lineup (minus Connolly) -- the Sens not as much and with a rookie in net?
Of course the Leafs would win.. If they didn't.. they had better start looking as to why they didn't.
Any further update on Regin's left arm or shoulder ??
Rockin Robert
According to an article in the Ottawa Sun by Don Brennan (yeah I know) Murray went to the league to try to adjust those Leaf games. He was turned down. Now that's a surprise.
It really makes you wonder how a computer having to schedule thousands of games.. can have division rivals playing all 6 games with those games being a back-to-back situation for one team. To me... it would be almost impossible.
What if that had been the situation between Boston/Buffalo fighting for division title. That would sure tilt the scales in favour of 1 team.
Say Toronto takes 10 of a possible 12 pts from the Sens and puts Buffalo out of the playoffs especially when Buffalo is probably the better team.
Advantage to the Leafs this season.
This whole issue with our schedule is a disgrace and I can't begin to tell you how much it pisses me off.
And yes I know I am whining, but its true.
Which now brings me to these back to back games vs our nemesis & biggest rivals.
I am willing to be anything had this been reversed, it would not have been approved, b/c the Laffs said so! Why should we Sens and fans have to accept this obvious slight?
We are not going to have a good year, and to have to face the Laffs at a disadvantage, and potentially lose those games will take away some of our potential hi-lites and forced to absorb further ridicule from those Laff fans!