The Flyers are considered one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference and the Senators gave them all they could handle yesterday in Philly. You could really see just how far Paul MacLean's group has come since an ugly loss to the Flyers back in October.
A mental lapse by Chris Phillips in overtime ended up being the difference but the two teams were pretty much even the whole way through. Senators goals came from Milan Michalek, his 20th and first since returning from a concussion and Bobby Butler.
Butler also had a great chance to end the game in overtime but was robbed by the pad of Ilya Bryzgalov.
No word on potential line up changes for this one but I would expect MacLean to go back to Craig Anderson. After a bit of a soft goal to start the game, Anderson really settled in yesterday and helped the Sens grab that single point.
Paul MacLean will meet with the media at 2:30 PM so we should have a better idea of any line up changes at that point.
Ottawa has picked up points in five straight games but they still don't have much room for error in the extremely tight Eastern Conference. The Sens currently sit 6th in the East but have only a three point buffer over the 9th place Jets.
A reminder that puck drop is at 5:00 PM this evening with game available on Sportsnet and TVA.
Go sens go!
Awesome game yesterday afternoon and I think we can expect more of the same this evening.
Maclean has to go back to Anderson tonight. He's playing his best hockey of the season and it's perfect timing now that we're going into the second half of the season. This is a really important game tonight so I expect him to start.
Karlsson-Kuba did a great job shutting down the Giroux line yesterday, now someone else has to step up and remove that rat Briere from the game too.
I wish the Sens game was a later start so I could watch some Tebow time vs the Steel Curtain.
Haha ya I haven't been around the computer much this weekend. Good to see the conversation continued without me though!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIJ87lwki5I
Would it be possible to set up a separate forum for the mind numbing debates around who "sucks" and who doesn't? If you were away from your computer yesterday, count yourself lucky, because you missed a particularly annoying diatribe on Chris Phillips, which led to the inevitable rebuttal, and it just went on and on and on....
I don't know if it's easily done, or if others find it as annoying as I do, but it just seems to get out of hand more and more often of late.
Debate is healthy, but the posts I am referring to are anything but.
...and Spezza too! Because he sucks right! Right?
...and Gonchar.
...and Kuba.
...and whoever the fans' tool-of-the-wee k seems to be
Fuck yea! Move 'em all. Rebuild this thing. Oh, wait...
uhm, I think you mean "tool-of-the-pa st-3-seasons"
Bang on!
Philips made a mistake, we all agree on it and they scored on it. But, MANY mistakes were made during that game but luckily, they didn't end up behind Anderson. I have seen Karlsson and Gonchar shy away from hits that cause many scoring chances. Konoptkia blew 2 easy chances to clear our zone when Flyers were on the PP late in the game. That was worst then what Phillips did in my opinion.
We had many clear chances to close the books in OT and we didn't. I guess we should also blame Phillips for that too.
Grow up already and support YOUR team.
GO SENS GO
On trades I can see Murray moving one or two of these players at the trade deadline (Kuba, Gonchar, Carkner, Lee, Konopka, Winchester, Daugavins or Auld). I don't see Butler moving because he just has too much potential to score, he just has to become more consistent soon once he gets over this softmore slump.
If we didn't have Phillips and had a solid defenseman I'm telling you that Ottawa would have alot more points in the standings. Plus he doesn't even get any points. Last season he scored his first goal past the halfway mark. Even a defensive defenseman is not that bad pointswise. I've seen offenseman on the sens make better defensive plays than him. The most anybody could get for Phillips is a 4th rounder if the team has no defensive defense and seriously needs one. The only reason he is still in Ottawa is because he owns two houses in Ottawa and he has a rink in his backyard.
I'm not angry at him because of the Flyers game. I'm angry at him because he causes the other team to score goals CONSISTENTLY(th e only thing he does consistently). In the last buffalo game the first goal given up by Ottawa was clearly his fault.
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20112012,2,561&fr=false
Get off the Phillips bashing. There is so much more positive thing we could talk about.
I love this Turris kid. Our second line is pretty strong.
Phillips used to play with Chara -- did he not? Then Volchenkov -- so he either goes to Boston or NJ.
I don't like that Foligno has been demoted either, but Condra looks good with Turris and Alfie. Condra isn't a top six forward, but neither is Greening.
Greening has really fallen off lately so I think it's time to give someone else a shot on Spezza's left wing. I'd like to see Foligno with Spezza and Greening with Smith.
That trade is looking good for Murray. I was really mad at losing Rundblad... but the Sens have lost only 1 game in regulation since Turris has been in the lineup... so that says something.
Bronco's games are a snooze fest until the last few minutes so just change channels with two minutes left and you won't miss anything. I'll laugh my ass off if they beat the Steelers.
He is no Cowan or Karlsson but it is what it is, anyone could have made the mistake.
The thing is we get to redeem ourselves later today.
Philip's has a no movement clause until Jan 1, 2014. End of discussion.
we should make better use of the forums on this site instead of only using the comment section of the latest article for all points of discussion.
I also saw him out there during the first half of this season and in Dec/Jan of last season; from the incredibly small sample size, I just don't think he has what it takes to be a top level NHL scorer. With a little bit more size and better decision-making , who knows, he could turn out to be a real scoring threat. I don't see it; and for all I care, I hope he proves me wrong.
But saying 'we know his potential' doesn't mean anything: everyone can watch tape of what he's capable of doing, but that doesn't mean he'll be able to do it consistently at the NHL level. Potential is a tricky thing, and it doesn't always work out when and how you want it: will Butler show us enough before his contract is up next offseason, and if not, what will his price tag (resign/trade) be?
Considering our current outlook, I wouldn't say he's vital to our success, and if someone was willing to offer the right price, I hope we take it. That's all.
We can wait and see, or we can move him: I'm in favour of moving him now for a fair return, be it picks or whatever. I'd rather not watch him light it up at season's end only to fall off the map next year. IMO, his value is higher now than it will be next year.
Of course, I'll be kicking myself if we trade him and he becomes the next big thing.
Ok so here it is. I did a lot of Smith bashing last year. He took awful penalties at terrible times of the game, and we got scored on a lot because of it.
I take it back. Smith is now one of my favorite players. He scores clutch goals, He hits well, he doesnt take unnecessary penalties and He consistently makes the smartest offensive decisions out of anyone on our team. i.e. He ALWAYS shoots the puck, and its always on target.
If Spezza had the hockey IQ and determination of Smith, he would be a 120pt/season player.
Think what you want, but BigMac has done more than enough with this crew to warrant our trust.
Foligno has been good on the puck, but not good putting it in the net as of late. A little but of humble pie may spark him again.
this is what makes this year so great! If we can see glimpses of who this team is threatening to contend with. Sure Phillips caused the overtime winner..and we didn't get that extra point. But seriously I was more than surprised by the way Sens matched the Flyers... i honestly couldn't be more satisfied with the way the sens played.
I mean C'mon, Foligno With that Slick inside out dangle ( that's he Godly at, but bascially tries it every time he's one on one with the D-man :P) followed by the pass to Butler who than could have finished the game easily if it weren't for the outspoken Bryzgalov,
And, Turris.. Flying around the Offensive Zone as if there was no tomorrow. Michalek also seemed to be regaining his nose for the net.
Zack Smith's been by the far the biggest surprise ( as mentioned by so many.) tougness, Power , Speed and well A wicked Shot. the kid represents the NHL Well :P.
Not to mention Craig Anderson whose been showing great consistency of late. I haven't felt this comfortable with our Goalie...well since ever. ( Well Hasek... )but I'm not going to jump the gun and say we found our Bonafide goaltender whose gonna win games for us when our skaters can't...but we know he has the ability to do so.
And I'm Also not going to Jump the gun and say this team is Ready to be a playoff contender. But Knowing that they possess the ability to do so should Be exciting For The Red Army this year and For the Years to come!
The Sens are only going to get better!
and NO should complain this time Cause I did use Paragraphs this time
Just kidding....
The coaching staff have been great.. the young kids are learning and playing good hockey.
It was all about development this year.. and if by chance they make the playoffs... that would be amazing.
If they don't we were entertained this year.
Next season (if there is one) they will add Lehner, Silfverberg & Zibanejad, so we know it will only get better. With other players like Prince, Noesen, etc learning in Binghamton, we know in about 3 yrs this team could be really good, while a lot of the top contenders now maybe on the downside as their older players slowdown.
Remember it's a cycle and it does not last forever. Well in differs if you are Detroit..
Just enjoy the games... mistakes happen.. not only by Phillips but by a lot of players on all teams.
Go for the win today.. guys
@ AFM11,
Good suggestions re Foligno and Greening line combinations.
Switching the 2 could improve the production of both Line 1 and Line 3.
However, today is not the time to try these line combos.
Our next game on Tuesday vs Penguins, would be more appropriate, and we could practise them on Monday and Tuesday before the next game.
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!
Wow you're right that's a shit load of unnecessary capitalizations ...
not writing in a paragraph form....now this...
Thank God I don't speak like that.
And on Tuesday.
:)
rebuilding stage of our franchise. I only enjoy the team's play
this year and the progression the young guys go through. So I
will only continue to bad mouth our opponents. Today it is
Briere. His coach said that 'It was an inspiring effort by
Danny'. This is the same MoFu who speared Turris in the nuts. Some inspiration. Instigation rule sucks too. It is time
somebody wiped the smile off that Danny asshole's face and
cleaned the floor with him. My rant of the day...
BTW I am a Steel Curtain fan too. Will be using the 'Last
channel' feature a lot today. Go Sens! Go Steelers!
Now to try to cure this hangover...
Rgrds
That kind of post just elevated your rank in the Sens Army. I like your spirit soldier. Now go crush a double spicy caesar, extra horseradish, extra worchester, and enjoy the game.
Go fuckin Sens.
~Peluso
Where do they find these guys bhaha
Same here man. You never know with these NHL refs.
Sens are carrying over the momentum from yesterday! Let's keep it going! GO SENS GO!
what a guy.
I shat on this kid when we made the trade because I wasn't sure Murray knew what he was doing. But Turris has been exactly what we've needed in a second line centre.
GO SENS GO
http://www.livescorehunter.tv/hockey-live-streaming-video.html
We've also given up significantly less breakaways since Runblad has gone.
It was just a really good shot, (post and in), like the last goal was too.
Quoting jasonontheoldsenschirp:
Our lack of injuries is a testament to that.
So is the amount of goals against. :)
Spezza skates like he is carrying a ton. Man he look slow.
Thank God Anderson is on his game. I woulnd't bet on the cardiac kids tonight.
When we were at 2-1, all looked possible to take it to the Flyers.
Multiple penalties, incl 2 against Carkner and a few others
turned the tide in favour of Flyers.
Down 4-2 at start of 3rd, I would switch Foligno with Greening, and push hard to regain momentum to score some goals.
Stay away from the penalty box, and work the puck in Flyers zone to multiple shots on Bryz till pucks go in !
We are a 3rd perios team, let's do it again
you are comparing a rookie to a seasoned vet? How old are you? 5?
Same players were seen at the Toronto game last night.
Well then I stand corrected and clearly have pwned myself.
Nothing like a good ol Sens game to cheer ya up after a rough day.
DO IT BOYS.
They are young... they play a fast skating game... other teams tire... this team doesn't... Can't believe they are playing in the 3rd like this when it is their 3rd game in 4 nights... they really are in great shape.
geeet ouuttaa heeerreeee
LOL at the perverted cameraman towards the end. Good job guys.
lol whatd he do?
And it's working.....
Hopefully Tuesday's another big win!
go sensssss
We are now battling with top 5 teams and have 50 points
after 43 games.
At current rate, we should come close to somewhere between
90 - 105 points, with a playoff position for sure.
Let's hope they solidify this trend, by winning at least
6 of next 10 games in January.
The Cardiac Kids are for real !!!!!!!!!!