Coming off a six game win streak, the Ottawa Senators have now dropped three straight and will be looking to bounce back with a daunting stretch of games on the horizon.
First up is the New York Rangers on Wednesday night. There was plenty of hype surrounding this one as it was the first meeting between the two teams since Alfredsson was on the receiving end of a controversial hit from Wojtek Wolski. Of course the drama has subsided a little bit as Wolski is on the IR and will not play.
With that said, it’s still an important game for the Sens as they look to bank a couple points before setting out on their longest road trip to date.
After Wednesday night’s tilt at SBP, Ottawa will hit the road for six straight, including stops in Buffalo, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Pittsburgh. It has been an up and down start for the Senators but this next stretch of road games should give the club a pretty good idea how they stack up.
Heading into this week, the Sens currently sit 9th in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Florida Panthers although Ottawa has played two more games.
The Sens practice this morning at 11:00 AM. Should have some news and notes from that practice, including updates on some of the Senators walking wounded.
- With Brian Lee drawing into the last couple of games, there has been a little bit of buzz that the club may be showcasing the young defenceman. Not sure that is the case. Lee had a strong camp and had a tough time getting back into the line up with the team playing so well. MacLean has been clear about wanting to manage Rundblad’s minutes so it was important to give the young Swede a different perspective for a couple games.
- Some cold water has been thrown on all the Kyle Turris talk that surfaced last week. Phoenix GM Don Maloney has been quite clear that he has no plans to trade the disgruntled forward. As I mentioned last week, Ottawa is interested but at this point, the Coyotes have no intention of trading him.
Excellent point!
I love what Mclean is doing here in Ottawa, but he really is not giving much of a shot to Filatov, Butler, they are on very short leashes...if given the choice I do not think McLean would want another one of those type of players in his lineup
Filatov/Turris/Yakupov??
not a bad 4th line ;)
HAHAHA! Nice one!
I would say so. Need to find a way to go .500 on the road trip to stay in the mix. Some tough teams lined up.
I'm calling for wins over the Rangers, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton. I think Buffalo will play a stronger game against us at home. Vancouver and Pittsburgh will be there usual selves.
I attended the Montreal game and Buffalo game, both were exciting to watch, close scores. Pretty much had a little of everything I wanted to see as a fan, including a shootout. The only downside was not getting a W in either. That said, I've noticed a trend that Teams have taken since Boston handed us that 1st L in 6. Our D were being used so much throughout that streak, with everything being setup from the back end. Boston picked up on it, held Ottawa out of the game, we didn't even get a quality power play setup. Montreal followed, playing them very agressive as did Buffalo. This results in more dumps into the opposition end rather than carrying it over the blue. Teams are starting to see how Ottawa was exiting the zone and potting goals, taking our Offensive D out of the equation is limiting us.
While this style will still provide some results, I think a small change up is in order. This will be a hard road trip, but lets stay positive.
Lets be honest here there is no way they match up against any these teams besides the leafs talent wise ..especially without Alfie ..This road trip is going to be LONG ... 4 wins is crazy talk I dont know what your smoking but toke toke pass lol
Lets be honest here there is no way they match up against any these teams besides the leafs talent wise ..especially without Alfie ..This road trip is going to be LONG ... 4 wins is crazy talk I dont know what your smoking but toke toke pass lol
It will actually be 3 wins on the road...Rangers is the last home game before the road trip. This team isn't as bad as you think. Not smoking anything...just an optimist.
It will actually be 3 wins on the road...Rangers is the last home game before the road trip. This team isn't as bad as you think. Not smoking anything...just an optimist.
Watch out! Optimism can get you killed here! LOL
Yakupov - Carter - Nash
Lol, has tookie made a bunch of duplicate accounts and started downvoting everyone's comments or is everyone on here actually this negative???
People need to lighten up! yes tough road trip, we will drop a few spot, big deal. Live in in the present. Enjoy each game as it comes. If this sport is making you this miserable, maybe you need to start watching curling or something else.
Way too much doom and gloom on here during a rebuild. Alright...gonna brace myself for more downvoting...
I wouldn't say I am negative...I'm being realistic. If the Sens have any chance of making the playoffs, this is THE month that will determine it.
I'm good either way. Personally, I think the rebuild would be greatly benefit from a playoff birth. If not, no biggie...We get another good draft pick while the current crop of rookies is getting experience.
Trust me...I'm still on the 2 year bandwagon. As long as I get to see KK65 play every game, I'm all good. Now scary thought....Imag ine if DR.7 becomes as good as Karlesson?
Watch out! Optimism can get you killed here! LOL
No kidding...I think it is unrealistic to think that teams like Calgary(bubble team at best right now). Toronto who we have already beaten this year without Alfie and Edmonton who is still very young and inexperienced are all going to have perfect games and beat us. We'll see, I may be wrong...
I wasn't commenting about any personal comment per say...I just meant the amounts of people's negative "votes" on each comment(the red/green number beside their comments).
heck, I've said from the start that I expect Sens to draft 5-10, so not the most optimistic guy either here. Everyone has a right to their opinion, as long as you're not an Eyore on here...then you're just trolling.
Lets enjoy the Hockey and pray for the best!
I agree 100% with you Jake.
For all those (you know who you are), saying "THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG SEASON!!" after the first few games, man are you being proved wrong.
There are a couple of "long games" where i have to change the channel...but they are fun to watch this year. As you said, last year was a "bore-fest"...t his year its exciting whether the win or lose.
I do want to see more Filatov tho :(
sens management needs to do the right thing here....
i dunno, i am probably wrong but i just get the feeling the sens are trying to make filatov and butler play in a style they are not suited for. they are skilled guys and have no place skating next to uber grinders on 3rd and 4th lines.
i think the sens should atleast give a shot to a line of filatov-da costa-butler. foligno is turning out to be one of those super amazing third liners who just cant score (fisher).
I agree with you 100 percent
Having 3 first rounds possibly coming in next season and another 1st top 5 hopefully top 2 this year...
add in the best player not playing in North America Silfverberg ... And add in Lehner ..the rebuild could be finished next year for sure ..
Free Filatov !!!!
Is there a reason why Jesse Winchester still has a job and Filatov younger more skilled faster overall better player gets sent down ?
[ING Voice]
If you want a 4th liner, call up a 4th liner [/ING]
That's because Locke will never play Top 6 minutes in the NHL ever, Filitov on the other hand actually has the ability to play top 6 one day...I wouldn't compare the 2 but I do agree that if they are going to keep calling Filitov up it needs to be on the 2nd line. I expect that to happen once we start hitting the injury wall...
E
Keep an eye on "Andy", like Jason, he is showing signs of wearing down...this road trip could do him in...
We can beat Rangers and Tranna in a fair fight...it's to get the level playing field...
We beat Edmonton, our young guys are the best in the world, right now...
Well said Pat. I've on the verge myself of just steering away from this site for a couple weeks and then check back to see if the aura of negativity has been lifted. This site has been alot of fun to follow and read up on over the past couple years (for myself) but its quickly loosing its flair and fun debates with the overwhelming individual attacks plus the negative and pessimistic repetitive posting.
So what are we doing? the same thing? am I missing something?
Thats baffling.. wht has bobby butler done this year to earn a few shifts on the 2nd line and a chance in the shootout? nothing.
You have to let filatov loose and at least give him a shot..
Lets be honest here there is no way they match up against any these teams besides the leafs talent wise ..especially without Alfie ..This road trip is going to be LONG ... 4 wins is crazy talk I dont know what your smoking but toke toke pass lol
Yeah buddy because the Flames are a real powerhouse. They should have initiated rebuild mode 2 years ago and haven't even clued in yet. The only chance they stand against Ottawa is if Kipper is standing on his head and Anderson isn't...
Come on nail, you should be happy with what they are doing with Filatov. Without him playing, you'll be 1 step closer to your dreams...landin g Yakupov. *cue sarcasm*
This will most likely happen, Kipper is a much better goalie than Anderson, he may not be at the peak of his career anymore but if there is anyone that can bail the Flames out it's him. The Sens are not going to have it easy in any of these games...Except for Toronto, I'm going to that game at the ACC so I need to make sure they win while I'm there! haha
latest sens prospect update
I think he deserves to be in the top 6 especially with the injuries. How can he not? I think he's put in his time in the AHL and in the bottom 6.
Not the biggest fan of how this is being handled but I'm not giving up on him and I don't think the organization is either. There has to be a bigger plan here.
I'm still a Butler believer. I do agree (to an extent) that he's having trouble figuring out how to play on a grinding line. Especially with Alfie out, I'm not too sure why they don't just let Filatov play a bunch of games with Spezza and spread out that top line a bit. While they're at it, let Foligno play a bunch of games at center to see if he can get comfortable there.
I'd try this for a couple of weeks:
Filatov - Spezza - Butler
Greening - Foligno - Michalek
Daugavins - DaCosta - Neil
Winchester - Smith - Condra
It really is amazing the "little" things he does. I don't know how many times I've watched a game on tv, and panicked as the opposite team rushed past our defense and realized "oh! there's greening...WTF? ?? why is he bailing out the D??". His 2 way game is incredible.
And then in the other zone, he's always making something happen as well.
I think we all know he's just filling a gap on the top 6, but he's doing a great job of it and will be an amazing role-player on our bottom 6 once we get some heavy talent up front.
Nothing but good things to say about Greening.
ive said it all year. ryan clowe 2.0 most people dont get to watch clowe since he plays in the west but if you ever get a chance. watch him close. greening reminds me of him every time he steps on the ice
We might just see the above lineup in the road trip !
Even if they tried it for 2-4 games, to truly see if both
Filatov and Butler should stay on top 6 lines !
I've been selling my tickets for Habs and Leaf games for a while now... I basically pay off my seat by selling those 6 games.. It all started 3 years ago when a Leafs fan was waving his flag in front of us and we couldn't see anything, I told him to keep his flag down while the play was on and we got in an argument, the usher came and wanted me to leave! The other fans around me stuck up for me, so I was allowed to stay but that was the last time I went to a Leaf or Hab game... It's not worth the trouble and I make tons of money, so i don't feel all that bad...
We'll likely be back in the bottom 3 by the end of that stretch.
I just hope we beat those pricks on Saturday
http://twitter.com/SunGarrioch - Does anybody get the fact that Filatov hasn't gotten more ice time because he hasn't earned it? That's the hammer the coach holds. #Sens
A top 6 talent player can't earn ice time playing with 4th line players.
Not quite sure those line-ups would work. They tried the filatov/Spezza/ Butler and they were too easily pushed around (why Greening is now in there).
Michalek should at the moment be on our top line in my opinion, and on the other wing.
I know they tried Foligno at center a little while ago, and he didn't impress too much, so they put him back on the wing.
Down the road I wouldn't mind maybe seeing Foligno center Greening and Neil (or something in that regards) once we have more talent up front, but I think right now the main challenges is Butler & Filatov...how do we get them to produce (they have the talent)
it's not just the game - maybe MacLean doesn't like his practice habits, maybe he isn't showing any chemistry with anyone, maybe the reports coming back from Bingo aren't encouraging enough - look at what Daugavins has done in his call-ups - you can't say Filatov has done anything to warrant playing ahead of him. I know Daugavins has more ice time but would you want Filatov killing penalties - i think it's interesting that maclean has passed around the PK time and Filatov hasn't seen much of it.
why immediately leap on garrioch, i know he's usually an arse but even a broken clock is right twice a day - Filatov has done nothing much and in a year when the sens are trying to keep their costs down, he's expensive in the NHL.
Greening has been great. Everything they have asked him to do he has done. So far of all the forwards with something to prove this year or a new contract to play too he has been the one to stand out.
He's proving to the management day in and day out that he deserves to be here both during the rebuild and a key compnent of the team once the rebuild is finished.
I'm not sure if it's Gonchar or Kuba that needs to sit...I'm leaning towards FK17 just because I'd rather have Lee and Rundblad in there. I don't mind Gonch's game at all lately. He is unreal on the PP.
We were all hoping that this trade would in essence give us another first rounder who is mature enough to play on a regular basis, after being mistreated by Columbus.
But we have not been able to see if he can help or not.
It is not as though our second line is producing, and we have to at least two of our top 6 out right now so, if he does not get his chance now, then when?
anyway in McLean I trust!
I'm really thinking more about the 2012-13 and 2013-14 teams and getting our younger players to develop completely. Clearly to win games now we need that Greening-Spezza -Michalek line in place, but I really don't care about "today" when compared to two-three years from now.
They should still try them again !
The reason Michalek is on RW and Greening on LW,
is simply because they both shoot Left, and Michalek having
more experience, plays on wrong wing, but he loves it,
as per his beauty of a backhand goal vs Sabres !
Wrong Wrong Wrong why do people talk out of there ass ...Michalek is a RW always has been and has been played on his wrong side since he got here ...And now that he is playing his natural position he is breaking out go figure...
When the season started Milan asked Maclean too be placed on the RW ..And its been nothing but magic since
ScoreOttawa Daniel Slater
Coach MacLean on why Colin Greening left practice early (jokingly) "He just got tired. The cyborg got tired."
They should still try them again !
The reason Michalek is on RW and Greening on LW,
is simply because they both shoot Left, and Michalek having
more experience, plays on wrong wing, but he loves it,
as per his beauty of a backhand goal vs Sabres !
Wrong Wrong Wrong why do people talk out of there ass ...Michalek is a RW always has been and has been played on his wrong side since he got here ...And now that he is playing his natural position he is breaking out go fig
i
@ FAIL NAIL,
You are not correct. On Sens website he is listed as LW.
Played on line with Soezza and Alfredsson.
Michalek - Spezza - Alfredsson
Always played on LW, and now l;oves RW, but shoots Left
Check out your facts , before accusing people like you did to me !
Michalek is a natural RW has always played RW he did play hockey before Ottawa you know ... ..He is listed as a LW cause he plays LW in ottawa or did play LW in ottawa till this season when he asked Maclean too give him a shot on the RW ..
I agree to disagree !
A RW is normally a Right Hand Shooter.
Michalek is not a natural RW, he just plays this position.
Same as Gonchar who is a Left Defenceman playing Right Defenceman
Foligno Smith Neil
Filatov Dacosta Butler
Daugavins Winchester Condra
this way you can't hear complaints about Foligno being on the third line:)
Not that many can play both sides, as most are not that
good on taking a pass on their backhand ??
But I do agree that Michalek plays better on RW, than his natural LW position !
Who figured this out ??
This is very far-fetched math !!
I've been selling my tickets for Habs and Leaf games for a while now... I basically pay off my seat by selling those 6 games.. It all started 3 years ago when a Leafs fan was waving his flag in front of us and we couldn't see anything, I told him to keep his flag down while the play was on and we got in an argument, the usher came and wanted me to leave! The other fans around me stuck up for me, so I was allowed to stay but that was the last time I went to a Leaf or Hab game... It's not worth the trouble and I make tons of money, so i don't feel all that bad...
BOOHOO stop crying and stand up for your team! if everyone think's like you we will never be able to feel at home when the leafs or habs are visiting.
Filatov DaCosta Butler = No defense
BS,
I have corrected the Line 1 error of Michalek on LW,
on SensChips Game Day lineup, many times ,by listing Michalek on RW !!
Go fly a kite !!
Stop having Habs & Leaf games on the weekend... should fix some of it.
I go when my ticket package has those games. I hate going to them... too many obnoxious fans for both the Habs & Leafs.. The Habs with that annoying OLE OLE song... and the drunkeness arrogance of Leaf fans.. when they really have nothing to be arrogant about.
But I go and cheer as loud as I can. It's time some other Sens fans join us.
I have yet to see him win one battle on the boards I will say that he appears to be working hard on his back check
But if I was forced to pick a Bingo grad to stay for the year it would be The Dawg hands down ,its like Chris Kelly never left,so if we are going to make predictions about future games lets stick to the next one and not get to far ahead of ourselves ,anything can happen from day to day
an old hockey saying "keep your stick on the ice"
we Sens fans should "keep our head out of the clouds"
also save your Fail for Nail comments until at least Xmas
I saw over the weekend that Mika Zib was promoted from 3rd line to second ,another positive sign lets hear some more
Watching the QMJHL and Russia right now and Pageau has looked good and is centring the first power play unit.
Keep 'em comin!
Watching the QMJHL and Russia right now and Pageau has looked good and is centring the first power play unit.
Keep 'em comin![/quote
Dont forget Shane Prince, he is on fire also since comin back from his injury.
it shows that mika didn't play yet at djurgarden!......
WHAT DO U THINK CHIRP
Mika Zibanejad has 1 g in 3 games
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=23856
QMJHL lost 2-0, that Russian goalie was pretty good! McKinnon won player of the game for the Q.
Going to see Yakupov play this Thursday at the Civic Centre!
Team Russia vs OHL!!
I read a Scotty Bowman story about a 4th liner that was sent down to the AHL and his NHL team got into a loosing streak. They brought the guy back and won 2 back to back cups. Some guys may never be elite players but they are the glue that bonds a "team" together. I think that Washington doesn't have any such guy. I think that Daugavins brings that element to the Sens...
All they need is to get Alfie back and for one more dude to become a scoring stud and they could go deep (always assuming that they get stable goal tending, of course...)
good on taking a pass on their backhand ??"
I just realized you lack the intelligence to even realize you just described a one-timer. You know that cute thing Steven Stamkos does on the Tampa Bay Power-Play unit. That's called taking a pass on your off-wing... and hammering it into the back of the oppositions net because it's exceptionally easy to shoot from an off-wing position.
One timer, my friend, can also be from your natural wing position. It is all about positioning your body to slam it in !!
Go back to the drawing board, instead of doubting my hockey
knowledge ! Heatley was good at it from both sides !
Am surprised that you would post such garbage in a comment.
Why do you always challenge other posters, to show your intelligence ??
Surely, your expertise is much broader than FAIL NAIL ???
Spending that much money, I am not going to feel bad not going to those games, it isn't an enjoyable night.. If you feel like getting in fights or yelling matches with these drunk morons, than so be it all the power to you.
When all is said and done, Sens fans will be pleasantly surprised when Pageau has the biggest impact of all 2010 picks on this organisation. He's a gamer. He'll just need a bit more time to get to the NHL.
The only time we sellout is Leafs or Habs...Also how many fans do you think out of those 18,000/19,000 are Habs/Leafs fans....I would say atleast 40%...
I was at a few sellouts last year, not sure if there has been one this year or not but they are fairly close..
Sure there will be Leaf and Hab fans at all the games, because thats the nature of having a young franchise where everybody over the age of 25 cheered for another team before the Sens got here.. I was a Habs fan and converted when they traded Patrick Roy. A lot of people won't change, so it will be like this for another 20 years at least but it will get better over time.
Tookie,
You know as well as anyone that the price of Habs and Leafs games at SBP are sky high, and this is where Ottawa Fans
do not want to pay these prices, but Habs and Leafs supporters scoop them all up fast !
This is a catch 22 syndrome for all these games!
Yes and it doesnt stop their fans from buying them, thats what I'm saying, Ottawa fans are not at the level of the Leafs and Habs, Oilers or Vancouver fans yet nor do I think we will ever be.
Ottawa is just not a crazy hockey town.
Took, you are wrong, we do sellout to games other than Toronto of MTL.
And yes it is extremely annoying to go to these games right now, but when we were winning more of the games vs MTL, and TO, it was actually very enjoyable to be a Sens fan in that atmosphere...mo re abnoxious idiots to make fun of :)
Go Sens Go!!!
Really... here we go Tooks throws it out there "Ottawa is jut not a crazy hockey town" and we are to just sit and accept it...
wrong again Tookie, in fact we are a crazy hockey town! NHL Hockey team,2 Junior teams...NMHA is one of the biggest Minor hockey associations in the country... Bell Capital cup
Have you been to an area arena on the weekend???
Most towns have what you just mentioned...not hing out of the ordinary there...
Let me guess you live in Nepean, hehe, the NMHA is big but lacks quality...
Compared to the teams I mentioned Miguel, we are bush league...
I'm going to that game as well. McKinnon looked pretty good for a 16 yr old last night. They play again tomorrow in Quebec City before coming to Ottawa. Is Puempel in the lineup for the OHL for that series?
Yes he is:
Goal (2):
Andrew D'Agostini (Peterborough Petes)
Mark Visentin (Niagara IceDogs)
Defence (6):
Cody Ceci (Ottawa 67's)
Nathan Chiarlitti (Sarnia Sting)
Dougie Hamilton (Niagara IceDogs)*
Scott Harrington (London Knights)
Slater Koekkoek (Peterborough Petes)
Stephen Silas (Belleville Bulls)
Forwards (13):
Tyler Graovac (Ottawa 67's)
Seth Griffith (London Knights)
Boone Jenner (Oshawa Generals)
Lucas Lessio (Oshawa Generals)
Sean Monahan (Ottawa 67's)
Tanner Pearson (Barrie Colts)*
Matthew Puempel (Peterborough Petes)
Brett Ritchie (Sarnia Sting)*
Mark Scheifele (Barrie Colts)
Ryan Spooner (Kingston Frontenacs)*
Ryan Strome (Niagara IceDogs)*
Christian Thomas (Oshawa Generals)
Tyler Toffoli (Ottawa 67's)
Thanks Tookie...