The Islanders are surging as of late, picking up points in five of their last six, including a 5-3 win over the Hurricanes on Tuesday night. John Tavares has been on an absolute tear as of late, racking up 22 points in 13 games in the month of January, earning him first star of the month honours in the NHL. The Sens will have to find a way to slow him down tonight.
After tonight's tilt, the Sens and Islanders will meet three more times before the season is out, including twice in the month of February.
The Senators have been sliding a bit as of late and need to find a way to have a better start tonight on home ice. The Sens have given up the game’s first goal in eight straight games and are making things extremely difficult by always falling behind. After a couple hard days of practice, expect Paul MacLean’s group to come out flying tonight.
Craig Anderson will make another start in the Ottawa goal. Would not be surprised to see Andy get both games this weekend. Based on the last couple days of practice, here is how the Sens are expected to line up. Will update again after the morning skate.
Condra-Spezza-Michalek
Foligno-Turris-Alfredsson
Greening-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Konopka-Butler
Kuba-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Phillips-Carkner
Looking for somewhere to watch the game tonight? Why not join some other SensChirp readers at Local Heroes on Clyde. For just $50 you get a ticket to the game, $15 worth of food and transportation to and from SBP. We’ll also be handing out some prizes before the bus leaves at 6:15 PM.
Call 613 224 3873 to book your spot!
Sens fans will be happy to know that Tom Kowal and Kyle Rehman will be the referees for tonight's Sens-Isles game
Maybe he had a doctor's appointment, dental appointment,
or some other commitments .
Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, New Jersey, Florida.
I think if Ottawa can shake these last 4 games (losses) off and get back to winning games like we were doing in late December / early January, then we will be a shoo-in for a playoff spot as high as even 4th or 5th place. That kind of hockey they were playing will win them way more games down the stretch. Now...if we continue to slump, I fear it will stay with us right down the stretch. I just don't see this team playing .500 hockey down the stretch. They either win way more, or loose way more.
A win tonight and again against Laffs tomorrow night will be great in getting back that cushion we had a couple weeks ago.
He's made his last blind drop pass to the opposing team for Ottawa!
Kidding. I hope.
Let's get this train back on track, wins tonight against the Isles and tomorrow against the dirty Leafs will put our magic number at "13".
Go Sens Go! Let's make this a great hockey weekend for our franchise!
Looking at the standings, I believe the hardest teams to stay ahead of nearing the end will be NJ and TO. Both have a history of late surges for spots and both have a decent record with end of season performance wise. Jersey did it recently slipping into the playoffs and have the team to do it again. TO has tried but failed many times, but only by a point or two. Can't think it would be any different this year. Sens need to do a little better than 500 for the reat of the games, and then we wait and see.
Go Sens Go!!
It's funny you bring this up, I was going to make a post about it. It's great to see, but just imagine how the scouting report on Gagner changed? All teams who are looking know Edmonton would move him over anyone else, but I expect the asking price just tripled with that performance. lol
Jason Spezza is expected to be in Sens lineup. Was given a maintenance day by MacLean this morning.
- Minor technicality... The Sens let a 2 goal lead go, not a 3 goal lead against the Bruins...
Rob Martell ( 4 Losses )
Dan O'Rourke ( 1 win, 3 losses )
Stephane Walkom ( 1 win, 3 losses )
Dean Morton ( 1 win, 3 losses )
Marc Joannette ( 1 win, 3 losses )
Paul Devorski ( 1 win, 3 losses )
Kevin Pollack ( 1 win, 3 losses )
Mike Hasenfratz ( 1 win, 3 losses )
Frederick L'Ecuyer ( 1 win, 2 losses )
Tim Peel ( 2 Wins , 3 Losses )
Greg Kimmerly ( 1 win, 2 losses )
Dan O'Halloran ( 2 Wins, 2 Losses )
Eric Furlatt ( 2 wins, 2 losses )
Steve Kozari ( 2 Wins, 2 Losses )
Kyle Rehman ( 2 wins, 1 loss )
Chris Rooney ( 2 wins, 1 loss )
Denis LaRue ( 2 wins, 1 loss )
Stephane Auger ( 3 wins, 1 loss)
Justin St Pierre ( 3 wins, 1 loss )
Mike Leggo ( 3 wins, 1 loss )
Brad Watson ( 3 wins )
Don VanMassenhoven ( 3 wins )
Chris Lee ( 3 wins )
Dave Jackson ( 3 wins )
2 game mentions; Kelly Sutherland ( 2 losses ), Ghislain Hebert ( 2 losses ) , Wes McCauley ( 2 wins )
The 1 game we won with O'Rourke officiating was on Nov 27th in a tight 4-3 win over Carolina. Canes had 5 penalties all night, and Sens had 10 (including 3 minors in the final 10 minutes of the 3rd, and 1 of those in the final 2 minutes of the game).
I'm not for a second suggesting that officiating is always responsible for the outcome of a game, but take a look at some of the names on the top and bottom...and take it for what you will. At the very least, try to keep on eye on the refs over the last 30 games to see if it stays consistent with who gives us the love (St Pierre, Watson, Leggo…etc) , and who doesn't (Martell, Peel, O'ROURKE…etc).
Nicely done... Can we have Jackson/Lee for the playoffs?
Fixed. Thanks!
I got really curious about the officiating so far after that 3 game stint with O'Rourke. I initially was just checking for the Sens games he has done so far, and once I got going I said hell, might as well just check all the Refs and games so far.
Took a while...lol, but I had a little free time at work yesterday (or so I justified it). I for one will pay more attention to who is reffing the remainder of our games (and playoffs if that happens) just for a piece of mind on how certain Refs call the games for us. See if there really is something going here...
By your logic, you'll find every referee biased towards/against specific teams.
We've had bad reffing. Everyone ADMITS that there were blown/missed calls. Some confuse cause and effect though - we are the most penalized team in the league and the reason isn't referee bias.
All this conspiracy theory and breaking down numbers not only makes Sens fans look like whiners, but also detracts from serious issues with like accountability ie Is there a need for digital replay of certain currently unreviewable calls? Should offending referees be required to at least explain themselves?
Perhaps more digital replay would be a good thing. O'Rourke having to explain his comments about Karlsson being a diver would be nice ("he dove" is OK, but "he's a diver" is definitely not).
Funny no one seems to have a problem with Rob Martell... heh heh.
I wonder if all those refs that we have a losing record with, are from the Greater Toronto Area haha this could make for an interesting presentation to the league.
GO SENS GO !!!
If O'Rourke hates the Sens...why? Do you really think he hates our coach personally? Did he before this season? Before the last dozen games? Was he paid off? If so, that's a serious accusation. I guess I just don't understand where the initial grudge would come from.
Paid off, LOL...this aint Basketball, lol.
The grudge comes from when McLean called him out in the media, rookie coach mistake?
Its just human nature to dislike someone who called you out on something, any and every chance you have to get back at that personne is gravy, its what O'Rourke is doing.
I never implied in my post that I felt referees were biased...I simply posted some stats, and I'll let you guys make up your minds on how you feel about it.
I for one will just make a point to keep an eye on certain refs moving forward. Like I said in my original post...take the info for what you will.
But there's the other side to that sword where they can get an unfair impression of a player and it can affect their calls. This is where the league needs to be involved. Every call (or non-call) a ref makes should be evaluated by an off-ice team (not in real time) and anything that's marginal should be brought to the ref's attention. Anything that looks outright wrong should be discussed with their bosses.
Not talking about punishing them, but helping them see where they might have missed something. Refs want to call a good game. They might get upset in the heat of a game and let their emotions sway a call but that's rare even for the less-than-perfe ct officials. But all of them can be guilty of making assumptions that on review they reconsider.
To stick with the "diver" example, if that ref really felt that way about EK then he should watch film of him to either substatiate or refute that theory. If the offiating body as a whole agree that EK goes down easy to try and draw calls (which I don't think is the case) then all refs should be looking closely at any play where EK is involved to make sure they make the right call or non-call.
The last thing any ref/umpire wants in sports is to look as though the complaining team gets the calls. They'll compensate the other direction.
The only worthwhile point in that article Fraser wrote on TSN.ca was that refs hate having their integrity questioned above all else. They don't mind being called blind or stupid or slow but they HATE being called biased (and so they should).
The league needs to find a queit, private way for teams to petition the officials when they feel that a player or team has an unfair label and is not getting a fair treatment. Something where the offials don't feel their integrity is being doubted but where an open dialogue can happen where everyone feels justified.
If it is felt that the standards of a particular referee are not acceptable he is punished. Initially this is by not getting the high profile games (playoff games, cup finals, games with more at stake, TV games etc). If his performance continues to drop he is taken off the list for the top division (premiership) entirely.
In cricket every umpire is graded, there is also a very comprehensive in game referral system with stats kept over which umpire's decisions get referred the most times and the % of calls he makes that are overturned by video replay. There is an elite panel that umpire international matches. If an umpire isn't considered good enough for this panel he is removed.
When the review system was brought in there were concerns that it would undermine the authority of the umpire but it hasn't, partly because technology has proved that in the vast majority of cases (90% and above) the right call was initially made.
People want to see the right call being made and accountability for the match official who is consistently making the bad call.
The point of this post is to show that in the other sports I watch regularly enough to care there is definitive and public accountability for the match officials. Is there anything like that in the NHL? If not, why not? Other sports can do it.
Not sure what is going through O'Rourkes head, but being called out by MacLean probably didn't help us any.
Anyone know how the referee schedules are set? As in was it already set that O'Rourke was going to ref 3 of our last 4 games before the incident in Anaheim?
At any rate, O'Rourke was an easy target for criticism from Sens fans based on some of the calls and non-calls in those 3 games he did. I didn't mean to make it look like my post with all the Referee stats was focused on O'Rourke, I just picked on him a little because his reffing of Ottawa is still fresh in memory (Anaheim, LAK, Boston).
He has also already demonstrated (via the comments about Karlsson being a known "diver") that he is willing to pull completely unbased BS out of his... to justify his non-calls for the Sens. Just my opinion.
A massive two points on the line tonight!
You mentioned the problems the Sens have with clearing their zone.
One thing I have noticed is that MacLean has implemented the same (emphasis on puck possesion) methods (including breakouts) that they use in Detroit.
The other one that stands out is almost never dumping the puck in.
The problem, in my opinion at least, is that these strategies rely alot on skill, and Detroit - for a long time, has been one of the most skilled teams in the league.
Ottawa? Not so much.
While I applaud the Sens for being much more entertaining, I wish I'd see some more flexibility in their approaches to
A - breaking out of their zone, and
B - getting the puck into the other teams zone.
For instance, watching Phillips and Carkner trying to make tape to tape passes breaking out of the zone is just painful.
I don't mind them emphasizing that strategy, but be a bit more flexible, especially on nights where that is clearly not working.
During the streak we were on, we were really cycling the puck well in the opponents corners. Rise & Grind. Go back to that, at least intermittently, we had it working well earlier in the season.
Great Work,
all things being EQUAL it sould even out somewhat
Interested to see what happens the rest of the year
@tookie
Oh ok then that makes it all right then...
But should he ever do that for pro line, then that is way out of the question...LOL
That's not what MacLean said after the morning skate. Is this breaking now?
Apostle, really like where you are going with this,
of all the sports, the NHL has probably the worst reputation for officiating.
"Dont get on their bad side?"... or what?
"They put their whistle away"...Why?
"even up call"
Do they they not have an oblgationt to continue to do their job?
Spez was complaining of soreness in his leg Ian mendes just reported he will play tonight and was given the morning skate off
Miguel the point is that other sports have procedures in place to evaluate umpires or referees and when they do a bad job those match officials are held accountable. I then asked if those sort of procedures were in place in the NHL.
Where I am going with this is other sports seem to care more than the NHL about preserving the integrity of the game by ensuring through accountability that their referees can in no way be seen as biased and having procedures in place to ensure that only the best match officials stay employed.
Which is what I said very clearly. If you think anything contained within what I wrote advocates letting the refs get away with doing a bad job I suggest you read it again.
I am sorry you are confused, but that's nothing new I'm sure.
Apostle, let me try this again...
I STRONB\GLY agree with what you are saying, and COMPLETELY agree that we need more accountability with the NHL officiating...
not sure how it could have been recieved any other way and sorry if you interpreted anything else in my prevous post
well sir i tip my hat to you for I misunderstood - i assumed that the really like was a really like whatever? sort of response
in my defence it was because of the line break
i now feel foolish and will retire for the evening
Wonder why he's not retting many playoff games...
No worries,
it was truly an excellent post, IMO
and I agree that if the NHL does not incorporate rules and governance in place in other professional successful sports, io will risk losing fans due to the lack of officiating credibility and accountability.
If we don't get at least 3-4 points out of this weekend this team deserves to be put through the wringer.
The Islanders are a hot team (6-3-1 in last 10) now that Okposo is back to form. They can roll several lines and they have good goaltending in Nabakov. Really their biggest drawback is bottom 6 depth and defense. We need to win tonight, but both teams we are playing this weekend are desperate for points too.
I dont buy it when people say the Phillips is a calming influence. he is not so calm himself with the puck and is usually on the ice for game-changing goals against. or maybe its just the camera that roll onto him whenever the sens give up an atrocious goal. either way I don't think Phillips adds much in terms of steadiness to the sens blueline. lets face it, the sens need someone better.
anyhoo....rant over...need a win tonight and more importantly tomorrow. my boss is a leafs fan and a lot of my colleagues are too, i work in toronto. nothing like coming back to work monday with a massive grin courtesy of the sens.
I can only hope the Condra experiment is PM's way of telling BM he needs a better winger for Spezza.
I expect Spezza, Turris, MM9 to really carry the play and get several good sniping opportunities.
5-2 Ottawa
GO SENS GO!!!
Or, perhaps they think that there may be some interest out there for Condra, and this is a good way to showcase him?
I still maintain that Ottawa has alot (maybe too many) role players - maybe they can package a couple of them and make a minor splash at the deadline...
WHO? Never heard of them... Is that good or bad.
If Auld is in net tomorrow against the Leafs.. I'm selling my tickets.. that would be a bloodbath.
You almost gave me a heart attack. Losing Spezza for any length of time will certainly help in continuing the losing streak.
Any ref that calls any NHL player a diver is disrespectful IMO. That's like calling them a cheat...
Anyone watch the Habs game last night? I watched a bit.. especially at the end. That non-call on Kovalchuk for tripping resulted in a game winning goal for Parise.. when they should have had a penalty. That's a mistake that changed the outcome of a game.. or at least lost a point for the Habs..
What really got me is that Cunneyworth asked for the ref to come to the bench after the game.. and they just stood there and ignored him.
I don't care if you are a coach for 20 yrs or 2 mos... you deserve respect and an explanation as to why no penalty on a play that lost you team a chance at a win...
The refs want respect.. they have to learn to give it.
Wrong Sandy, respect is not given it is earned. Cunneyworth hasnt earned anything as a HC yet.
Expendable, and IMO they should look at expending a few of them until they collectively stop feeling some semblance of entitlement that they think they have. Maybe then they can just appreciate the $$$ they make and embrace the onus they have to the league, the players and the FANS to make correct and consistent calls.
This is either someone reliable for Spezz (so he can just create) or it's a message to the more talented guys: "Play the game the right way and you can play with Spezza."
Spezza sat out the morning skate so O'Brien was probably called up to be on hand just in case.
All indications are that he's fine and will play tonight.
Yost is saying Spezza is out for tonight's game.. that puts a whole different spin on this game. If he does not play against the Leafs... I have a really bad feeling.
Watching team falling out of the playoffs by Monday on a 4 game slide I have right too be pissed if are overpaid centre sits out cause of soreness in his legs ...
So you rather he risk further injury and possibly be out long term than sit out a game and be 100% for tomorrow or future games?
If spezza is out tonight...line combo are gonna be interesting and i think fun... Turris on the top line with alfie and Mickey?
Foligno with condra and neiler
Daugy smithy and greening..
butler konopka o brien?
rather have spezz out tonight than tomorrow night..
He isn't injuried he has soreness in his legs .. These 2 points are huge u have to suck it up this guy hasnt played 1 full season since we drafted him go figure
THAT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SHOOT.THE.PUCK.
FREEBIRD !
now pour it on boys for the third.
Just another big doofus with a dumb look on his face when the puck is in our net
If you're not scoring, or stopping the other team from scoring, then WTF are you doing out there?!?!?!
And Michalek... Good god that guy sucks balls
what a lousy player
WE WILL NEVER WIN A CUP WITH THESE SLACKS
Not sure if you are aware, but he's an NHL rookie. Cut the kid some slack.
He's the future of our blueline, be patient!
Speaking of doofus's, that goes double for you.
Quoting token:
uggggh..what was cowen thinking?
Not sure if you are aware, but he's an NHL rookie. Cut the kid some slack.
umm....this is a free blog to comment on right? you cant tell me you dint think the same thing..i just voiced my thought..
dint piss on the kid..
WTF are you thinking?
It's called being a rookie. Yea sure this game is lacking intensity and energy, but the whole team is not putting enough effort in this game. Cowen's the one whose being making plays from the blue line skating in the offensive zone and ATLEAST shooting the go damn puck to the net unlike the whole freakin team. He's been throwing his body as well. So relax, rookies take time to develop into Dan Hamuis's and Anton Volchenkov's.
Although On michalek I do agree. Seems Lost and out of the play. It's been like that for the past couple of games. Wonder what's going on with him.
Cowen was thinking, "I'm backchecking like a mad man, and I'm going right for the puck, my d partner will see me get to the puck carrier. Since he has a clear view of all on coming attacking players, he will peel off if needed. My focus is the puck"
This is what Cowen was thinking, you're welcome.
No doubt about him being the future of our blueline...
I thought he was having an excellent game until that play...
you saw that goal coming as soon as he over committed..
Brilliant Mr.Spartan...no w lets see if you can guess what i'm thinking..:P
posting "Ugghhh... what was Cowen thinking" directly after a goal is scored is pissing on a player. A rookie player. It's a free blog to comment on, no one told you otherwise. But it's also free for people to comment on your comments.
If you can't handle that, I have no words to console you.
Yea Exactly. Surprised to see him have a brain fart despite his good play for most of it.
Okie dokes Mr. Spartan.... Just wanted to clarify...I honestly dint mean to piss on the kid ..the ugg was in frustration of being scored on..
i have no problems with comments..its when i'm told that i don't know the status of my sens players that i will comment back..;)
Sorry, I can't seem to read your mind, drawing a blank. Wonder why that is?
He's been the most disappointing lately.
That being said, callin MM9 as the GWG!
GO SENS GO
Holy cripes man! Who pissed in your beer?
BAHAHAHHAHAHAHA HAHAHAAA X Infinity
Just shows how blind you lame ass fans are
COWEN COST US THE GAME WAKE UP LOSERS
I assure you I am totally emotionless at this moment.
Horrible.
HE'S A FREAKIN' ROOKIE... WHAT THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT -- INSTANT EXPERIENCED D? WHAT'S WRONG WITH SOME OF YOU PEOPLE?
DO YOU NOT THINK A ROOKIE WON'T MAKE MISTAKES?
What do they do in Jr? play scrabble all day
I can see the excuses coming for years, just like with Phillips
Cowen was bad defensively tonight. Ran around like he didn't know what to do with himself.
I know i will be heavily criticized for this, but maybe Brian Murray should forget about the playoffs. this draft has some solid And I mean some amazingly solid blueliners. Maybe we should get one of them. We clearly need one. Number 4 and Number 55 are turning out to be liabilities, atleast with their play.
*rolls eyes*
Sens are losing.....you know like EVERYONE predicted that they would...people here need to relax and realize we have played way better than any realistic person could have predicted.
Cowen & gonchar
Anderson
Honourable mention nick foligno and spezza
He's playing with Gonchar isn't he? Not exactly a stellar d-man himself..
As I said yawnzzz -- rookies make mistakes.. it's going to happen.
It was a bad game by the team -- as a whole.. not just Cowen.... not sure if they are saving their energy for tomorrow night or not.
If they play like this tomorrow.. it will be a blowout...
Certainly did not have the energy tonight like they did in Boston... took the Isles too lightly, maybe?
I'm not normally this negative but we have been a shell of our former selves and it's hard to watch...
I've been saying this for the last 10 games and i get thumbs down. ITS THE TRUTH. People say we are playing good, we arent. We're playing terrible, the only reason why we're still in contention is because of Anderson.
Sound thinking... the playoffs will be good for the morale of the players... but not for the need of a good solid young D high up in the draft...
What we should do is try to remember what the expectations where coming into the season, and be happy for where we are. This team isn't the Boston Bruins right now, nor were they ever expected to be. We were predicted to be in last place by most "experts", as well as many of our own fans.
Relax. Breathe. Just beat the Leafs.
They played so good at the start of that lengthy road trip getting 3 out of 4 pts from Philly & beating Pitts... this bad play started with the loss to Winnipeg at home.
Would it be a disaster if they don't make the playoffs? What would be better -- getting in the playoffs and losing in the 1st round.. or finishing lower and getting a good young D in the draft... and hoping to deal away Kuba & Gonchar.
Well I'm completely with you man. If the Sens do make the playoffs, great!. If not, the expectations going into the season have been met ( there were none :P) . I would Love a Matt Dumba or a Ryan Murray to replace Phillips in the next few years. Brian Murray should have his work cut out for him by the end of next week.
We were predicted to finish last based on the over all under achievements of the team last year. That was presuming that we would play the same way this year. The team has shown that they can indeed play very well which makes stretches like this so painful. I know we are supposed to fail this year but that doesn't mean I have to feel nothing and shrug it off when we struggle to be the best we can be.
I have total faith in our scouting staff to find a gem in the first round no matter where we place (see Detroit year after year)! It is for this reason that I want, along with all fellow sens fans, to enjoy an all out exciting playoff run...no matter how long or short is would be! Let me remind you of last years run in bingo...the B-sens just barely scraped into the playoffs and look what they did! THAT CAN BE US! Well, actually...that is 26% of the current team already! ;) Are you telling me that you would trade a chance at the Stanley Cup for a player ranked slightly higher in the draft that may not even be what the scouting staff are even looking for? NOT ME!!! GO SENS GO!!! ok...now I'm JACKED UP!!!!!
if it weren't for him we would've lost by 5 goals and didn't get any points...
anderson deserves praise each and every game he plays, he has always been a star player each night, if it wasn't for him we would be bottom 5 easily.
Exactly. The team has shown stretches of great under achievement, as well as periods of great over achievement. The truth lies somewhere in the middle...
But by all means, feel whatever emotions you will. It matters not to me.
Quoting Sandy:
They play as a pair. Gonchar isn't THAT bad defensively. They're both equally to blame. Cowen moreso, as he was directly responsible for the first goal against.
Things I would like to see changed:
Greening back on the first line
Foligno on the first line
Michalek on the second line
If Lee is healthy, Cowen a scratch.
Milo needs a change of scenery he's just been too unnoticeable not to roll the dice with him with a line change. I think him playing with Alfie and Turris [who have been a joy to watch btw] will force him to work harder and get involved.
This is not to knock Cowen as I am a fan, but he is still a rookie and needs to learn. Tonight was extremely poor defense by the kid, and we can't risk that tomorrow against a fast leafs team. Actually the last game we played the leafs he was directly responsible for one of the goals against making a dumb pinch.
I'd like to see Paulstachio settle the guy down and let Lee take his spot.
"It's a rebuild. RELAX already. FUCK!"
Sandy you are one of the tops in staying true. Cheers
Tookie you piss me off but you are close to the mark a lot more than i give you credit. But yah you piss me off :)
Apologies to the few i've not time to credit. I mean it.
Chirp you rock! Many years of a daily dose a long way from home with no one who gives a shit about anything not Canucks. Thank you
Rest of you be patient! Calder to Stanley won't happen in a year. Best strategy i've seen this team have since watching in the Civic Centre really.
In Sens i trust.
GO SENS GO...no matter what!
PS To all the Senators who undoubtedly read this and other blogs...Thanks for a great ride so far. I believe. Fuck the rest who don't.
PPS Super Stash you win the Jack or it's a sham
PPPS Get bent Yawnz
you ARE the man!
Should be a daily post from you. Always
I just hope BM and EM don't panic and decide to make a poor trade to squeak into the playoffs. If we make it, great. If not, fine...just let them play and LEARN. If this continues move out some players for whatever picks we can get.
LEARN...can i get a "hell ya"
Move em out and get the picks. The new way to dynasty.
Lastly.....Tookie I wanna apologise to you....You called it. Everyone here (myself included) got a bit over excited about this team during that win streak.....you were highly criticised during that time. This rebuild needs to continue and this last little stretch proves it more....
Kuba, gonchar and phillips need to go.
We were a come from behind team and now when we are at the top of the standings everyone is in panic mode to maintain it players included.
They need to forget the standings and the pressure that comes with it and come out tonight with confidence and smoke the leafs for no other reason than to beat them in our barn.
Standings will take care of themselves.
Michalek, Turris and Alfie together is obviously a tempting thing to do. Elite teams could do something like that and have a wicked second line. Our problem is that hangs Spezza out to dry on our FIRST line.
We already have Greening (usually, if not Condra) as a plug on the first line for lack of a real top 6 player. If we put a second player on the top line that doesn't belong there, it's almost like wasting Spezza, who not only racks up assists, but also scores more as better linemates create more room. The way our roster is, Spezza either has to play with Michalek, Alfie or both, unfortunate as it may be to spread out scoring.
I sounds like a nice idea but just makes our first line substantially less dangerous.threa tening/offensiv e.
As it stands right now we're sitting in 6th in the conference, and even if New Jersey, Toronto, and Washington pass us in the standings after playing their games in hand, we'll still be very much in playoff contention.
There are still 28 games left in the Sens schedule so there's plenty of hockey left to play. These next couple months are going to be very exciting for us fans with the Sens making a very unexpected playoff push. Whether they make the playoffs or not, I'm very proud of what the team has been able to accomplish this year.
If memory serves me, the Senators team that went to the cup finals was floating around 7-8th seed all season and went on an 8 game losing streak before finishing the season winning 10 of their last 12 and creeping up to 4th or 5th.
*note: due to copius amount of marijuana smoke, 'memory' doesn't always 'serve me' well. the above statement may not be true
We HAVE to win tonight, this game is a huge gut check, they win, they are about 15 more away from a playoff spot. They lose, they drop 6 straight and start panicking.
Has anyone considered that when there was no expectations or pressure, they played so well, but now that they are in a position to make the playoffs they're play has fallen off? What is going on with that?!
I agree that Gonchar looked bad on the PP, but Cowen was clearly the worst on the ice. You can say his mistakes are excusable because he's a rookie, but that doesn't change the fact that he played worse that anybody on our team.
Cowen made the exact same mistake twice and it cost us the game. Gonchar's PP shenanigans didn't cost us a goal, and when it comes down to it, he's a defencemen, paid to play defence, and that's what he did last night.
Cowen did not.
1)Starting Anderson first night of a back to back and is questionable and leading to complacency;
2)The line blender didn't work with Clouston, stick to what works;
3)Not managing Cowen's ice time appropriately;
4)PP formations are old hat and need fresh ideas. Teams are keygn in on Karlsson and his side/left passing and neutralizing it.
Need to beat the Leafs tonight, a loss to them is completely unacceptable.
EEEEEEEEEEEYORE !
We all knew there would be ups and downs this year.. They are definitely in the down.
They say the first game at home after a long road trip is a dud... they weren't kidding.
I don't know what has happened to the PP -- but that is terrible.
I really feel for Cowen.. trying to develop as a D playing with a defensively challenged Gonchar.
Screw the top 6 forward.. Sens need a top 4 defensive D.
Going to the game tonight... I hate going to Leaf games. I hope they put in an effort like they did against the Bruins.. then they stand a chance. The Leafs are playing well... get to Reimer early.. to take the 'fans' out of the game...
You mad bro?
oh, so you're one of THOSE "fans"
You must have thought cowen was gonna get the game winner too
Does the old fisher jersey still fit?
You nailed it....hope this puts an end to all this "let's go out and get another forward" talk....we need a dman dammit!
A weber type guy....
The reality is this team would be about 10 less wins without Anderson's great play.
He has singlehandedly saved our terrible D numerous times.
I have been saying all year that Gonchar, and Philips best days are behind them, they are god awful in our own end.
Cowen will one day be an amazing defensemen, but people please remember he will suffer rookie mistakes.
Karlson for all his offensive blessings is also weak in our own end,
and albeit Kuba has been playing much better, in the end he is still a soft muffin on D.
Will we win the cup this year, No.
Do we still have a shot at making the playoffs, Hell yah.
But please do not bring up "bring in this guy, or bring in that guy" I do not want to give up anything for a potential first round knock out.
Let these kids play, see how they run for this year, and then make the necessary additions, subtractions in the off season.
Worst case we become sellers and try to get rid of Gonchar, Kuba, and (good luck) Philips.
But for tonight, lets regroup and past the miserable Laffs!
Go Sens Go!
ルブタン 通販
ジョーダン2013
ルブタン 通販
ジョーダン2013