While the Sens currently sit a single point ahead of the Sharks in the overall standings, San Jose has five games in hand and should prove to be one of the toughest opponents the Sens have faced in some time. The Sharks have an explosive offence that includes the likes of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture which should keep Craig Anderson busy.
If there is an area where the Sharks can be exploited, it’s with the man advantage.
San Jose has struggled on the penalty kill this season and are ranked 28 in the league at 77.4%. The Sharks will also be without a key forward as Ryane Clowe is not expected to dress. Antti Niemi starts for San Jose.
It will be an exciting night for local boy Mark Borowiecki who will make his NHL debut. No word yet on who will come out to make room on defence but safe to assume Carkner is the odd man out.
Here is how the Sens are expected to line up.
Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Condra-Turris-Alfredsson
Foligno-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Konopka-Butler
Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Borowiecki
Late start tonight so be sure to get your pregame nap in. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 10:30 PM with all the action available on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
- Some great news from the AHL today as defenceman Patrick Wiercioch practiced for the first time since a scary injury earlier in the season. According to reports out of Bingo, Wiercioch participated in most drills with the rest of the team. No timeline for his return but he doesn’t sound far off. Awesome to see the recovery for Wiercioch so far and hope to see him in a game real soon!
- Daniel Alfredsson was selected as one of the Captains of the NHLAll Star Game and has already tipped his hand about who his first pick might be one week away from today. “My first pick will be Karlsson,” Alfredsson said. “My kids would be very disappointed if I didn’t pick Erik.” Your move, Zdeno.
- For those that may have missed it this morning, I mentioned that the Sens may look at a player like Tim Gleason. Also expect the Sens to explore adding a top six forward if they are still in contention closer to the deadline. Some great discussion in the comment section of that post.
The next 6 weeks prior to trade deadline will be very interesting indeed.
As for Parise, I heard somewhere either on the radio or TV yesterday, that he wants to go to July 1st.. he will consider money plus wants a contender....
So lots of teams will be after him... but considering the new CBA and most contenders don't have the cap space to sign him to big $ -- there could be some really good players available for a decent 'price'.
The 3rd pairing of Phillips - Borowiecki, will be a good test for the rookie in his first NHL game.
Predicting a 6-3 upset by the visiting team !!
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!
Big game, should be fast. We need our PP to kill it tonight.
Chirp, you always manage to start a new post just after I make a comment on the other page, lol.
Enjoy the game NorCal! I know how you feel as I only get to see our boys live once a year in Calgary and luckily for me Bobby B. stole the show for the Sens that night.
Don't get smart with me! I will create a delete function and then delete you so fast... :)
haha..i was only asking! I think madpajama already clarified above that he is from Ottawa. Now if only you could share that delete function with other select (me) forum participants :)
I'm willing to bet that if Jersey can't sign Parise by the deadline he is on his way to LA for Jonathan Bernier. It's the only way Lou can save face by bringing in a potential replacement for Brodeur. They can't afford to let him walk this summer even if they are a playoff team this year. And rumour has it NJ is near bankruptcy.
And Havlat has been out for quite some time now due to a freak accident.
They're still a high scoring team without Heatley though. And Niemi between the pipes makes it quite the tough task. Hopefully we get a point or two out of this.
@ Denis Vial,
Very true that because of Kovalchuck contract, and other factors, the Devils owe about $250 million, and are scrambling to stay afloat !
So, Parise may become available before July 1st !!
EDIT: hmmm, here it is: "D Brian Lee (lower body) is out indefinitely"
http://www.ottawasun.com/2012/01/18/gameday-sens-vs-sharks
Any word on that Chirp? Or is it just a load of doody. :)
Glad Clowe isnt playing. That's a big hit to their depth.
Not too optimistic about tonight though. Sharks are great at home and we dont do well out West.
Need the first goal or I'm afraid we'll fall apart
Your fears are shared and understood however I think he has learned his lesson. I really like the fact that he mentioned he would consult with the players in the room, ie. the core guys for their thoughts on the roster moving forward.
Chirp confirmed the story yesterday ... or at least that it's officially a minor injury. He didn't go so far as to confirm or deny that it's a cover story to keep him out of the lineup while Murray works a Lee-for-Heatley deal. (kidding).
Quoting ShaunK:
Murray WILL NOT send any part of our "future" away for a rental. If any major prospects or our 1st round pick get dealt we'll be getting someone back that BM feels will be as big a part of our future as whatever part we dealt away.
Any true "rentals" will only come in if we only give up late round picks or guys who we never expect to be in our top 6 etc.
New Jersey actually has 3-4 goalie prospects already. None of them are elite, but I'm not sure that goaltending is their focus right now. LA also wouldn't trade Bernier unless Parise agreed to sign long term, which is contrary to the UFA wishes he has already stated.
I wouldn't like it. But a GM would love to get a proven young NHLer for a prospect who -- you never know -- may not pan out.
Look at LA dealing Brayden Schenn last summer.
Could happen.
Hoping for a good game for Boro-Cop.. and indeed yes.. great to see Patrick back on the ice in Bingo...
especially for a player 3 years away from unrestricted free agency.
yea really tragic. fought really hard for her sport. remember seeing her on OTR right before the olympics, seems like yesterday. RIP. real loss for the skiing and athletic world.
To your previous post: there is always a 1st time for everything. Its about time the Sens start winning again on the west coast.
To this post: BM said he would consult the players first on any addition. I really don't think he wants to upset the apple cart so to speak but, if Euge allows it, and the players think they can add someone they all like, then BM pulls the trigger. No doubt about it. There is definitely a "trust" thing happening here between players, coach, GM, and owner. The way it should be IMHO: Like a a well oiled high performing hi-tech team in big business (yes, I am in hi-tech) :).
KJ
As for Borowiecki, I've been waiting since preseason to see this kid play. I know Pierre Dorion motioned to the fact that he will eventually be a full time NHLer with the team. Long time coming!
GO SENS GO
I wish you could convince my dipshit brother, who grew up playing for years with the likes of Todd White, to share your enthusiasm. He lives in Mill Valley (not the home of Doc Browns Flex Capacitor - that's HILL Valley), which is a trek, but still.
One thing about Borowieki - a Kanata boy who grew up a solid Sens fan. This is a good example of how Ottawa has now bred a young generation of Sens fans. We are the future, the leafs and habs are the past. Saying that, with all due respect, I hope he just DROPS Couture! That would be beauty.
GFS (Go Fuckin Sens)
~Peluso
Already 6 - 3 for 67s at midway point. Prince just scored.
P.S. for the prudes: political incorrectness is good for your brain and ultimately improves society. Try it some time.
Yep I caught it. Fairly high level discussion about the Sens success to date, the hiring of Paul MacLean, the upcoming All Star Game, the Kyle Turris trade and the performance of the Sens four (five plus Greening) All Stars this season.
Good to see the Sens getting some league wide profile but it was a lot of stuff we've heard before.
The image that came to mind as I read that was of a little girl holding her hands to her face and shrieking. I'm sure what you meant was bellow with manly enthusiasm
In all seriousness, I'm really hoping for a win tonight as well. The Sharks have had a lot of problems putting the puck in the net lately. Hopefully Ottawa can sneak four or five past Niemi and get this west coast swing off to a good start.
If your brother played with Todd White then I may have play against your bro as well! This would have been back in the late 80s when Todd played for the Kanata Blazers. I used to play for the Riverside Rams with Jamie Rivers. I could never win a single faceoff against Todd and they would smoke us badly! Fun times though. We knew he was really good but never thought any of us would make the nhl...I certainly didn't make it! haha
No kidding, she was a total babe and an amazing athlete....RIP!
you should add a page of "about the creator of the site"
Not a bad idea. Always assumed that most of the people on the site have been around for awhile and know the back story. As I'm sure you know, there is a certain anonymity that comes with this site but like everyone on here, I'm a Sens fan!
That and more talks about the Sens chasing Hemsky... Hmmm... I don't know about that...
This could get REALLY ugly tonight
Not sure if Cowen belongs in this one tbh. Carks would have been better
Wow. genius move by Murray...
it did but there is nothing cowen couldve done, he's huge.
Some don't like Brown but I really enjoy his delivery. I like Wilson & Potvin too
Cowen did catch the guy in the head, but he wasn't looking to take his head off. The Shark player was reaching for the puck and Cowen, being "6'12" and all, just finished his hit. It just so happened that he's so tall.
#41 helps.
They may not be the best defensive team, or the most skilled, or the most dangerous, but what this team DOES have is HEART and the determination to never give up. THAT'S how we've won so many games so far.
The Sharks are damn good. But I don't give a shit. I'm callin a Sens win in this one!
GO SENS GO
Darn right!
#3 in the NHL with wins and #1 with shots against. He is giving them a chance to win each night.
I just saw a flash of 65
GO SENS GO.
Like I said before tho, Cowen don't look ready yet.
That's what I've been saying. His consistency has dipped the past little while. Could use a little bit more seasoning in the AHL imo and acquire a bit more polish in his game.
Completely disagree with both of you. HE IS A ROOKIE! He has been playing unbelievable so far this year. I would be shocked if he didn't have a slight dip in his flight. I have been totally impressed with his speed in this game.
Yep, Vezina for Anderson, coach of the year for Paul Mac, and Norris to Karlsson??? Not bad.
I'm not denying how good he is. Nor am I denying that he is a rookie. I'm just saying he needs to acquire more polish and all roundedness to his game. He's made a couple mistakes, which is totally normal, but needs to fix. See Lupul goal the other night.
I think he has earned the right to fix his "couple of mistakes" on the big team instead of down in bingo. He does far more good than harm for us.
There is only one good point... we may get a chance to see Andre Petersson in a sens uniform really soon !
Thank you McGinn
He might be able to take Daug's spot but we really can't lose Smith for long.
Fair enough my friend. I'm in no mood to argue. Too late in the night.
Nice goal by Greening! GO SENS GO
yup, Blazers, Ottawa Valley Titans and AAA Ottawa Capitals. (same here btw - a few years later)
yea. but lets hope its not precautionary into the next game.
lol
He's one of our best every single night. He never has a bad shift and he just seems to do everything well. His hockey IQ is through the roof and he's amazing defensively. You know who he reminds me of? Alfie!
Didn't I call a Sens win tonight?!
Excellent road game so far!!!!
Well, it is late right?
but man o man, anderson is a big big key to all of this. just unreal goaltending.
The goal left us all speechless
sharks will never win.
sort of like the leafs lol haha
good game by the borocop. phillips has been strong too.
andersonnnn!!!
Time for bed, G'nite all!
Paulstachio with another well coached team on the road! Right on!
"Paul McLean proving that experience behind bench and former NHL player works well, despite fact he wasn't regarded as "head coach" material."
"He has the Senators playing a well oiled game. System solid, always 3rd man high in O zone. Turris rock solid since trade. Fitting in well."
"Never easy winning in #SJ but #Sens are doing it. 12-2-2 with win tonight since Turris trade. Former #Blue Mark Reeds added to bench working"
Borocop had a pretty solid first game considering this is his first pro year. From what I saw he had good patience and made all the right choices.
Mr. Anderson's pads are looking pretty grundgy though. The team needs to work on keeping those shots down. If you got a look at Anderson he's pretty much a big black mark.
Looks like Petersson is a lock to start the next game
depends how you call it tough, daug and smith got incidental injuries. i think the sharks played a little on edge as the game got out of their hands, the epitome of which was the mcginn knee-on-knee on spezza. i think the guy should have been kicked out for that. and mcginn i known to go after players with intent.
i thought the refs let the sharks play except for the most blatant calls.
take it for what you want, but sens outhit the sharks by two hits. i think it was a tough game for the first 11 minutes, but the sens took their time to settle in and kept burying their chances. Greening and Turris have some really sick snipes and man what a setup by Turris to Karlsson and Spezza to Greening.
I hope Z. Smith is back because he was showing some serious jump in the game before going down. he is really really important in the sens shutdown game and PK, a real major cog in the sens machine.
sens were better in the faceoffs against a pretty high powered SJ team with the likes of Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski, Couture, Handzus taking faceoffs.
sens won 34 lost 28, thats almost 55% winning. surely Konopka helps with a destructive 75% winning rate in-game. lol sneaky stat.
sens were cleaner in giveaways too.
Paul Maclean is working this team like a charm. its unbelievable, every piece works wherever its fit. just look at the way he juggles his lines with no negative effect. sens played two periods without two forwards, yet it was never really felt. all that against a really high powered sharks team. and we need Bobby Ryan people say? why again?