For the Senators, this is game three in life without Alfie.
Alfredsson spoke with the media yesterday and was not able to give a timetable for when he might return to the line up. In speaking with a couple people close to the organization, it really does sound like this could be a long term injury for the Captain. With this team’s heart and soul on the sidelines, it will be a great chance for some other players to step up.
The Sens are expected to shuffle their line up a little bit after seeing their six game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Bruins. Kaspars Daugavins has been recalled from Binghamton of the AHL and will skate on the third line. Looks like Zenon Konopka will be the odd man out up front.
Here is how the lines looked according to Ian Mendes on Twitter
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Foligno-Da Costa-Butler
Daugavins-Smith-Neil
Filatov-Winchester-Condra
Phillips-Lee
Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
On defence, it looks as though Brian Lee will draw back in to the line up in place of David Rundblad. Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Robin Lehner has been returned to Binghamton which means Alex Auld will dress as the back up.
It’s another Heritage Jersey night for the Sens as well as the Roger’s House Telethon beginning at 6:30 PM on Sportsnet. For more information on the telethon, click here or go here to make a donation right now.
A quick start and hard fast skating are the key to this one in my opinion. Anderson also has to be better.
Time to move a vet on the back-end.
Let's see Filatov get his first point!!! PLEASE!!! I know he hasn't gotten up on the board yet, but watching him play on the top lines in the pre-season...he was so exciting to watch!
I surely can't be the only guy who doesn't want to give up on such a young talented player. Let him play, let him learn the system, Bingo is not where he's going to learn anything...I thought that is what this year was all about, "letting the young guns learn and develop" :(
Price in nets is always tough to score on and Montreal has speed on all 4 lines.
Will be interesting to see how is matched up against Camm & Patches, both those guys will cause problems for our D as much as Spezza & Greening does to them!
Well actually it should be four because he also missed that game in Carolina. Thanks for the correction though :)
Filatov has been an enigma, and we're starting to see why Columbus was willing to give him up for a 3rd round pick. Lots of dazzle in the pre-season, but the pressure of the regular season has made him disappear. You can tell the Columbus team really lowered his confidence, and that plays such a big role in a player’s performance; regardless of talent. I think if there’s any organization that could help develop a players confidence it’s Ottawa, because of the rebuild lead by Maclean & Murray. With the great attitude he’s had through it all, if Filatov can someday develop a Karlsson-like confidence, he will be a very good player in this league.
Go Sens Go!
Last summer, when I heard that they picked up Konopka, I thought it was a good move. Here's a guy who plays on the 4th line but is also good on the PK, good on draws, will fight...etc...
But now, when I look at the line up without him, I see the potential for more scoring throughout the lines. Now, don't get me wrong - I'm not saying lines 2-4 will score alot, just that there's at least more potential.
I'm beginning to like the line up more when Konopka sits. It also lets them look at guys who they nned to decide on (Regin, DaCosta, Filatov, etc.) I wonder what MacLean thinks? What do you guys think?
Nice to see the Projected Lineup posted earlier than normal.
For the past few games our top line has been the same in positions. Greening - Spezza - Michalek.
You have it listed as Michalek - Spezza - Greening ??
Has it been reversed, or was it a typo error ??
Not happy that Rundblad comes out, should have been one of the vets...
Filatov needs a real chance, they should swap he and Butler from game to game to see who can earn that spot,
Should be a great game tonight, and lets hope our boys can bounce back and give MTL a real challenge tonight!
Go Sens Go!!!
That's how it was reported from the skate but it could be reversed. Switched it up for now. Thanks for the heads up!
If he's been told that he's done a lot of things right but here are a couple of things to work on it shouldn't hurt.
The vets are playing much better than at the start of the season but I'd still like to see one of them moved out. The earliest that's likely to happen (unless there's a miracle around) is the trade deadline though.
5-3 Sens ... GO SENS GO!!!
Thanks for reversing Greening and Michalek.
I thought about posting something like that earlier, but, PMac's got it right. You can't flip/flop players every game as they will never build chemistry. Give Butler his chance to prove himself without the fear of "if i screw up, i'll be replaced" for a little while. He's a Sniper, and a logical choice to go with with foligno, and da costa. If he doesn't produce, then give filatov the chance to prove himself. Looking at the lines, I don't think switching Butler or Filatov places will will be what determines a win/lose right now.
As far as D goes,its just a matter of too many well playing D's, not enough spots. Someone's gotta go...come on murray, pull the trigger.
Bound to happen , when you have an overflow of good defencemen !
Yes. I would love to see Lee AND Rundblad in tonight but it is what it is. I think Rundblad should benefit nicely from watching a game or two from the box.
From a roster perspective I'm sure we are thinking of applying a little more pure D tonight to shut down those speedy Habs forwards, so inserting Lee will make sense.
Have to admit though, I finally get to take in my first game of the season tonight, I was looking forward to watching Rundblad but oh well. I'll take a win!
Rundblad looked awefull vs the Bruins, its good to give him a breather, he will be playing alot for this Org down the road, dont need to rush him...
Cowen will probably sit a few games here and there as well as long as we have 7 or 8 healthy D. It's not an indication that they're not doing well, it's called developing them slowly and not rushing them.
I think the important thing is how he felt afterwards...
I don't like it either, but maclean's doing a good job and you have to give other players a chance to play. Even if you don't see them in your long term goal, it's increasing their trade value. No GM is going to trade for a run of the mill player if he never plays and doesn't show a bit of potential.
Now if there is a Phoenix scout @ SB tonight then we are right to speculate.
I don't think he's being show-cased. Even if he plays well, any GM would ask why he's only played 3 games so far...especiall y on a team not known for a stellar defensive group. I think it's nothing more than wanting him to get into some games. I'd still rather see them deal Gonchar. I seem to be in the minority here who still thinks he hurts the team more than he helps it...
He is used to 55 games in the SEL... With the rigors of the NHL schedule.. they don't want to burn him out too early.
Glad to see Daug back... after having surgery on Tuesday... he must be a quick healer...
Surgery on Tuesday? man he got his wisdom teeth out...
Daug better be tougher than that.
Sens will win tonight 4-3 in OT but will sadly fall tomorrow 3-1.
You may be right, but the difference between our D and Toronto's D is that (and I hate to say it) their's IS regarded as a very strong group.
By leafs fans and leafs media only ;)
Are you actually trying to say that Toronto has a better group of defensive players and prospects than Ottawa does?
I think he simply stated that "Toronto's D is regarded as a very strong group", as in the present state, and i agree that their D is currently more efficient at shutting down opposing teams than ours. Once Karlsson, Rundblad, and even to some extent Cowen gain a bit of experience, they will be awesome. But presently, as in "today", yeah...I think that statement is true.
Tough couple of games for our Sens tonight and tomorrow. Gomez and Markov are injured, so hopefully that helps us. I think it will tight and low scoring tonight, top line better show up against Price, he's finding his game. Hopefully we can grab a 2pts in the next 2 games.
Thank you Patrick - that's exactly what I was saying.
Arent they always...Markov hasnt played in 3 years!! lol
And Gomez actually helps us when he's in the line up!!
The Habs just stink, if not for Price they would be at the level of the CBJ's, Panthers and Jets!
I'm confused... you are Tookie, right? How come you didn't include the Sens in that list? Or are the Sens on an even lower list than those teams?
I promise this is the last time I mention it. (unless someone else brings his name on first)
Of course, with my luck, he'll be first star...
I'm confused :(
First you say "habs are in their groove and have speed on all 4 lines", then you say they stink...
So....are the habs going to win or lose? Just looking for clarification.
Answer: According to a few past posts, he ranks ottawa in the bottom 3 - from drafting Yakupov, to drafting 28th. So its safe to say he just forgot to put the Sens on the list.
I would of but with the streak, they have moved from abysmal to bad...
I see it doesnt take much...
Price is the difference maker here, as for their lines, yes they have speed but doesnt mean they can score.
Everything depends on Price.
Ah Tooks, it's Friday man, grab a beer, go play some puck somewhere and enjoy the Sens not being bottom feeders.
I am playing! Probably gonna get a hat trick too!!
Cant wait!
NHL 12? :)
hahaha good one. He put himself with Mario and Wayne and is playing vs Columbus.
Sure Tooks, I bet you play defense in division 14 of the Travellers league and are -25.
Personally unless we moved both Gonchar (I could live with) and Phillips (doubt it will happen) I don't see there being room for a Suter. As for 7+, do u mean years or million/year? I'm in the camp that thinks Suter is a really good Dman, but gains some from playing with Weber.
I'd love to see it, but only if they rid themselves of Kuba and Gonchar. I doubt he would come here though...
Karlsson - Suter
Runblad - Cowen
Pretty solid but I really think BM will stay the course with this rebuild. Promote from within.
You can even hear them on TV
4-3 Ottawa
Gonchar Spezza Filatov Greening
Really I hope I am way wrong and it is a shut out.
(for us)
Suter would be a perfect fit with us because it would give us a 2nd shut down dman alongside Cowen to go with the 2 young puck movers
Tying up big money AND Term for Suter would hurt us in the long run when it comes time to sign our young guys. Forget Suter it won't happen and is not worth it.
Slightly premature assessment don't you think?
I dont think he has been given a proper chance as of yet..since his call up he has been on the fourth line with around 5 minutes a games...Cant do much with that kind of ice time and the role of grinder when you are supposedly a skilled forward...
He still has that dazzle as can be seen if you watched him play in Bingo..just needs more minutes to get into the feel of the game to start skating and do his stuff...
Like Lee he has been caught up in the numbers game...If i am not mistaken he was decent in the first two games of the season but was sent down cause of his two way and our need to check out zibby..
Ditto! Please.... help!
http://www.ilemi.me/33149/1/Watch-Ottawa-Senators-vs-Montreal-Canadiens/
In related news, I made a meme about it.
http://i.imgur.com/RfbZo.jpg
http://globalsports.netne.net/home.html
french
http://fr-ca.justin.tv/exou09#/w/2015610272/2
Appears to have a few, including Veetle streams.
You need a better tv!
Sure doesn't look or sound like it.
And with Butler's feet flying above his head on his own? (serious sarcasm on this one)
1080p sharp Aquos ...
My opinion still stands
We are getting smoked so far.
Outplayed and outhustled on every play.
And I guess I still can be.
Because aside from Anderson, we sure can't play any worse.
Lets hope he does.
"Colin Greenwood"?
Pffft
Hope it is not the back again...
Also on that second goal...The turnover was by EK which is going to be on all the highlights of the night...but shouldnt butler have been on that side of the ice...we had two sens skating together out of our zone at the boards...I think EK had the right idea but was just unfortunate Butler wasnt there..
Like seriously how come he can't score on line 4 with 5 mins Ice time a game ??? Moron
in the post game interview. PM said it wasnt karlsson's fault it was the fualt of the forward who shoulda been there (butler) because that was a play they use all the time and practice it a lot.
butler has been awful this year. hope filatov gets a shot at the top 6 soon.. like tomorrow soon.
Cheers yall
GSG!
Maclean even said in a video that he just needs confidence to more or less go balls out and not worry about making mistakes. Not quite his words but the same meaning.
I hope we keep putting him out until he gets over it.
I think other teams are watching the video of our games and figured out how to handle us.
However we came close to tie it up at the end, just could not find the back of the net.
Somebody tell mustachio that the pre-season is over! enough with over tinkering with the line ups!
Agreed... I guess there was a bus load of them from Mtl -- pretty smashed from what I heard.
The Sens played a great 3rd period... but they should have played the whole game like that. Also can someone please tell McLean that Gonchar and Phillips can't be partners on D... that's not a good pairing at all. Phillips-Lee and Gonchar-Cowen.
Cheap shot by Pachioretti (sp?) on Anderson. Those little Habs like running goalies. They did it on Reimer and put him out with what now appears to be a concussion.. now trying to take out Anderson.
Konopka in for the next Habs game..