On Last Night's Game
WRITTEN BY SENSCHIRP READER- Glenn
So I couldn't watch the game, which was a drag. And the TVs in the casino where I work were only showing the Spurs-Grizzlies game.
My wife Kayla was watching at home, and I'd check in on my breaks. I could see the ESPN ticker every now and then, but only when it was time to move the cards into the shuffler. Everytime I caught a view of the score, it was 1-0 Pittsburgh. As the time went on, I stopped looking becasue I didn't want to see that it was a final.
Right Back In It
(UPDATE 10:23 AM)- Appropriate timing I would say. This morning, the NHL announced that Ottawa Senators Captain Daniel Alfredsson has been nominated for the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Pretty special year for Alfie as he has helped lead a team that looked down and out after a series of injuries, to the 2nd round of the playoffs. A well deserved honour for the best Captain in the game. Jonathan Toews and Dustin Brown are the other nominees.
Game Day- Pittsburgh @ Ottawa Game 3
After dropping the first two games of the series in Pittsburgh, the Ottawa Senators return to Scotiabank Place for the biggest game of their season.
In Game 1 they looked overwhelmed, in Game 2 they showed they can play with this Pittsburgh team. Now they hope the lift of playing in front of their home town crowd will be enough to get them back in their Eastern Conference Semifinal match up.
Spezza Ready to Return
(UPDATE 2:21 PM)- Paul MacLean has confirmed what has been speculated the last couple days- Jason Spezza is ready to return to the Ottawa Senators line up. The Sens number one centre has been out of the line up since January 27. A huge boost for this team as they return to Scotiabank Place for Game 3.
Game Day- Senators/Penguins Game 2
In Game 1, the Ottawa Senators may have been guilty of giving their opponents a little bit too much respect. That has to change tonight.
The Senators play Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semi-final at the Consol Energy Center and will be looking to earn a much needed split in the Steel City. With a win tonight the Sens can take back home ice advantage before returning to Scotiabank Place this weekend. Game 3 goes on Sunday night in Ottawa.
MacLean Nominated for Coach of the Year
The National Hockey League has announced the nominees for the Jack Adams Award and Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean is one of the three finalists.
MacLean has done a terrific job this season, leading his team to a playoff spot despite a ridiculous run of injuries that threatened to derail his team's season. Joel Quennnville in Chicago and Bruce Boudreau in Anaheim are the other finalists.
Lineup Talk Ahead of Game 2
Game two of the Eastern Conference Semi-final goes tomorrow night in Pittsburgh with the Ottawa Senators looking to grab a split in the Steel City before the scene shifts to Scotiabank Place in Ottawa.
There were rumblings of Jason Spezza making a return in time for that game but Head Coach Paul MacLean all but dismissed that possibility during his media availability on Wednesday, saying that the team’s top centre would not be available for the second game of the series. MacLean suggested that Spezza has significant work to do before returning to the line up.
Penguins Take Series Opener
It certainly wasn’t the start the Ottawa Senators were hoping for on Tuesday night but likely one that fans were at least prepared for.
The powerful Pittsburgh Penguins team, which looked extremely beatable at times, dominated the special teams battle and cruised to an easy 4-1 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-final. Plenty of positives for the Senators to take away from this one, but in the playoffs, a loss is a loss. Game 2 goes on Friday night.
Game Day- Sens/Pens Game 1
After knocking off the 2nd seed in the Eastern Conference in just five games, the Ottawa Senators now get a shot at the top dog.
The Senators play Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semi-final series tonight against the powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins. And while most of the experts don’t give the Sens a fighting chance against Crosby and company, Paul MacLean’s team is used to defying what the experts say. It all starts at the Consol Energy Center tonight.
Breaking Down Ottawa/Pittsburgh
(UPDATE 1:13 PM)- Despite a second straight day on the ice with the rest of the team, Sens Coach Paul MacLean announced this afternoon that injured centre Jason Spezza will not be traveling with the team to Pittsburgh. The plan is for him to stay behind and work out with the other Black Aces. MacLean would not completely rule out a Game 2 return.
SensChirp