The Senators find a way. They got two points Saturday. Two OT losses where the picked up points before that.
Today, on St. Patrick’s Day, they’ll host the Winnipeg Jets at home..
The Senators are sitting at No. 5 in the East with 34 points. They’ve got a big stretch coming up here with six of the next seven at home. The only road trip is a stop in Long Island on Tuesday.
The Senators are finding ways to win or finding ways to get points.
Eleven straight one goal games really is remarkable isn’t it?
Nobody would have expected the Senators to put themselves in this position with all the injuries _ especially losing Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza.
Winger Milan Michalek is going to have surgery for his knee. Not sure if he will miss the rest of the season but he’ll be gone for an extended period.
The Senators are tied with the Florida Panthers for the most loser points in the East with six. They are only five points from being out of a playoff spot but it appears to me the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers can’t get their acts together. The Buffalo Sabres are just bad.
The road to the playoffs is long and hard but the Senators are getitng there.
They just need to keep it close and keep finding ways to get points.
They are doing it against all odds.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day.
Anybody else worried the Toronto Maple Leafs are falling back to earth?
Their goaltending isn’t great and their defence leaves a lot to be desired.
They’ve got a great coach. I think Randy Carlyle will push the right buttons unlike that other phoney they used to have behind the bench.
Categories: General
Bruce, you’re not a Ron Wilson fan?
I believe the Sen’s should offer Gonchar a 1 year contract for next year. I’m impressed with the way Latrendress is playing. He seems to be improving each game. I’m also impressed with the way Silferburg, Zibanajed and Lehner are playing. Lehner looks very confident.
Bruce, I’m sure you know all about hockey…being Canadien A? The Islanders will make the playoffs and ride Nabokov to the finals. Hot goalie and locker room visits from Glillies, Potvin, Bossy and Bobby will
have them believing. I’ll bet you a Molson.
I doubt anyone here but me is worried about the Leafs Bruce. While concerned of course I’m hardly panicked. Of this 5 game loss run contained only 1 true stinker a awful effort across the board in the Peg . 3 others where against the two best teams in the conference and with a little luck could have resulted in a few more points.
As I have said I’m not sold on the goaltending, it has not been horrid but has not stolen any points either. Lou is really the only goalie I see as potential difference maker this year and with the contract and asking price it may not be realistic even if he is on the market. Schienders cost in you g assets would be prohibitive. Bernier or any other youngster lack of a track record would make me uneasy about giving up what would surely be asked. Halak might be a option as the price might be cheaper and he could be expendable with Allen’s emergence. Or maybe Mike Smith in the summer if he doesn’t re sign.
I certainly agree that the D needs to be better Phaneuf has been good, despite the occasional mystifying decision in his own end, Franson has benn very good Gunner has been mediocre and disappointing although I understand he is playing thru a hip injury. Mark Frasor appears to be a compitent bottom pair guy with some toughness. And that’s where the upgrade is required Holzer appears to be overwhelmed and too slow, Kostka may be one of those guys who is very good all around player in the AHL but doesn’t have the next gear to transfer to the bigs for right now both need to be replaced Liles should be ok for one but a solid defensive player is required. Easier said than done of course. With the return of Lupul and Frattin I like the offence.
Again while concerned I m not all that worried there are ebbs and flows to all teams seasons the situation is hardly desperate,,, yet.
Well it was a very blurry yet enjoyable day at the Heart & Crown in the market for this guy yesterday…it got even better while watching the PVR of the Senators beating the Jets…very nice win indeed – full value for it.
Turris seems like he likes to be called the #2C…he performs much better with that designation! Alfie took a while to get his 40 year old legs going but he is playing amazing right now…he is everywhere and making things happen each and every period. Some may not like the attention he gets but damn…what more could you ask of him right now?
Bobby I should say that I do agree with a lot of what you say about Zibby and Silf in terms of where they go on the ice ( I don’t agree that they stay away from the corners but I do agree that Zibby tends to stay high in the zone ) but you have to give Silf his due…he is a natural scorer and that can’t be taught. He has scored from in tight on rebounds, has sniped many via the break-away and shoot-out and his second was a laser yesterday.
The reason I haven’t been as bothered by his relatively slow start is that to me he is/was thinking too much…I remember after Karlsson started playing that I was wondering where all his speed had gone and you could almost see the light bulb come on several games after he got back from the A – all of a sudden he was playing his game again and I believe the same can happen with Silf. Already he seems quicker than he did at the beginning of the season and his compete level seems like it has gone up as well.
Zibby is 19 so he gets a ton of rope from me…and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has been told to stay high so as to not get trapped and cause odd man rushes…he is big, has a powerful shot and is just getting started…I think he will be fine.
Gonchar is playing out of his head Mike and I am also hoping he gets a 1 year contract. It would allow him to keep his family settled for one more year and you know he wants to play in the Olympics…I could see him signing a one year deal and then retiring after that season or at the very least going back home and playing out his days in the KHL.
Big game tomorrow…can put the Isles 9 points behind us (they would still have a game in hand)…getting down to the nitty gritty here and pretty soon the teams below the Senators in the standings will have to go on some crazy runs with the Senators falling apart for the Senators to be caught or slip out of a play-off spot.
Will be interesting to see how Spezza, Michalek and Anderson get back into the fold with this team when they are ready…and who will come out for them to get in? What will the new lines look like? I really like the make-up of the top two lines right now with Latts – Stone – Alfie and then Greeing – Turris – Silf and while I doubt it I wonder if there is any chance they remain the same and the Paulrus puts Regin or Condra with Spezza and Michalek.
The D overall are stepping up like crazy too…happy day today.
Where are all the nay sayers re the Sen’s. Those were 2 big wins on the weekend against 2 teams that are chasing them in the standings. You have to like the way the forwards are starting to produce. I really like the way Wiercoch is playing. It stands to reason that if the young players keep getting better, and that when Spezza and Anderson return, things will be even better.
Pierre,
When you post comments like “Karlsson not wanting to skate”, you sound like that other troll who posts here sometimes.
Actually, I care about the Leafs. I am not a chartered member of the Bash the Leaf’s club. What I will not do, as in the case of the Sens, is celebrate those who do not deserve it. Actually, I want to see all the Canadian clubs to well.
I don’t know why there is confidence in Carlyle; what buttons has he pushed and will he push? I know he can put his finger on the “go out and destroy” button and he may not be as bad or better than others why does he credit for all that is good and nothing that is bad. Simlarly, Yosemite Sam still gets credit for being a good coach…seriously? Boucher is/was a great Coach. Clouston was the great “Little General” adorned by the media.
I do understand all the reasons why pumping up the volume will forever play major role in selling the players, team and the organization and most fans simply buy in. They are the good fans, the real fans and the fans the organizations prefer. Challenging popular opinion or questioning decisions serve only to have you defined as angrey, crusty, negative.
It is great that some love the Leafs and why wouldn’t they? Most hockey fans have had to choose between Ottawa or Montreal for decades! Even trying to turn the yutes from the “Dark Side” is hard becasue they have been exposed to their families prejudice. Its all good!
Toronto has some kids I really like. I like a team that can skate and play hard. I expect that Kevin’s Leafs, had they been blessed with the Sens great goaltending would be sitting in a far better position right now. The situation ‘tween the pipes have been a “monsterous” problem and I don’t think BobbyLou is the answer.
Oh yes, I understand that Lord Burke’s favourite colour is brown…hazel brown to be exact!
Just for a little perspective on this crazy every night is life or death, or so it seems,. In their last 10 games the least have managed 10 points evidently this means that wrists should be cut and the zombie apocalypse is at hand. On the other hand in their last 10 games the Sens have 12 points and are being wildly celebrated, proof that the SUN always shines in Kanata.
Bobby,
Nobody named Bobby will ever be the answer.
Et tu Mikey??? I here thee and you are right (most certainly about this guy named Bobby).
Kevin, you are right but the media, hype and madness here in Ottawa are all on board! Nothing is questioned and all is accepted and everything can be rationalized and 99% all buy in. Next year will be the 3rd year of the 3 year rebuild (needed because Murray but the teams that have failed for 6 years). We will all witness an exciting team that will rival the Sens of yesteryear and going far in the post season will be assured!
Right now the Sens have allowed 20 less goals scored against than the Leafs; that’s a big number in 28 games and I would suggest that although the goaltenders here in Ottawa have played a huge part, there are other factors! The Coach must take some credit for that as well. For a coach (Carlyle) that so “focussed” and a “wizard at matching lines” (must be a difficult task), a “tactical genius”, A “disciplinarian” and a “master” at devising “systems” and implimenting “structure” he should assume some responsibility for those 20 extra goals scored against, don’t you think?. Those 20 goals are not all on the goalies!
Mikey, What do you mean all the naysayers? Everyone here likes Turris! Everyone has acknowledged Silfverberg’s shot as much as they have pointed out he doesn’t hit, never carries the puck, doesn’t go into corners, doesn’t register any take aways! He scored goals against one fo the worst teams in hockey (Buffalo and another team that played 3 games in 4 days and only 16 hours after a hard fought battlle the night before in Toronto. The team got to their Hotel around 3:00 am for a 5:00 game the same day! The team looked and performed like a tired bunch. Big Buff looked like a pylon that was tired. The media can all go nuts now that Sly has hit the 6 goal threshold after 29 games (because of the walk in the park)! Mikey, you say that Zibby looks good, I beg to differ. He looks God awful. I see nothing (and like Shultz I know nothing).
The media are now all focussed on Gonchar and he is dandy with the biscuit but he is awful in his own end, as is Philips (the human give away machine…but wait, according to Dean Brown, give aways are good…now). To me the very best defenceman by a wide margin has been Methot. I was very wrong about him. I love his game and the way he plays…he is the calming force in his own end. Gonchar avoids the corners and Philips is frantic. Benoit shows far more poise.
A couple of thoughts:
Dougie has run his course in San Jose
Philly needs a new coach
NYR needs a new GM and Coach
Toronto’s coach who had a personal grudge with the Leaf’s best player Kadri and now on Gardiner
Lots of trouble in Buffalo and both GM and Coach need to go
Iginla will be dealt (he WANTS an opportunity to win the Cup…as every Canadian NHLer would)
Pajaarvi has 6 goals and is only now playing on the power play; he can skate, hit, score and his is unascared!
Bobby,
We all know about your man-crush on Pajaarvi. I don’t agree with the tired issue for NHL players. They fly first class on chartered flights and stay in 5 star hotels and get plenty of rest time. Silferberg and Zibanajed are both rookies and seem to be improving game by game, especially Silferberg, who is obviously a few years older. But I guess you’ll never quit harping on them, and that is your right.
The Sen’s played horrible last night, but still got the win. That’s a good sign.
The refereeing last night was atrocious again. I’d rather see them call less penalties all round instead of letting some go, and then calling marginal penalties. I hope the NHL starts holding these guys accountable. The calls on Kassian and Gryba were just stupid.
Bobby, what is the obsession of Pajaarvi? I am sure the coach knows more than all of us and has a reason for only playing him on the PP?
Do you also not agree that Gonchar has picked up his game? He has what? 15 points in the last 5 games or something? That is something that the media is picking up on? I hope that they would? Why the hate on for Phillips? He is a plus 5 so he can’t be the human give away!
The comment about Iggy wanting to win a cup….. because he is Canadian? Really? Does it mean that Alfie not being Canadian doesn’t want to win a cup as much?
I don’t see the need in being so negative all the time mate. The team is playing well. That is what 3 in a row with points in the last 5? 8 out of 10 points isn’t too bad in my books.
I do agree on your points for Toronto, but the media is the same in every city. They need to support the team. I don’t see why there needs to be a bucn of negative comments directed at a team that is sitting in 5th with a 6 points up on the teams below them and 9 points up on the Isles who we beat in great fashion last night.
Wow…what a freaking come back!
They looked tired, sloppy and disinterested (of course that is my slant – the Isles actually came out blazing and were full credit for having that 3-1 lead) but fought back and earned the victory.
This T-E-A-M of players keep giving us reasons to smile and be proud – they never give up and just keep trying no matter what…was I the only one who thought last night was not going to be our night?
The penalty calls were so slanted against us it seemed there would be no way to get back some momentum but then Wiercioch exposes himself to get the puck on net and Silf (natural goal scorer baby!) makes a great deflection to get things going…a few minutes later and Zach is bouncing one in to tie it up.
It must have sucked for Isles fans but I think the right call was made on that kicking motion too – wasn’t until the last replay that I clearly saw the forward motion to get it into the net.
The last goal shouldn’t have counted either as it was clearly a high stick and Silf touched it before the Isles D but was pretty close with the D’s stick so hard for the officials to see it.
Wier is really showing what an offensive force he can be and like all young D he has plenty of room to improve on the D side – I think he needs at least another hard offseason of training with Turris (I hope they both believe they have lots of room to improve and don’t stand pat with the success they have had so far this year).
Gonch IMO has played well all season long. I don’t see him as the defensive liability that Bobby does and while I agree he doesn’t hit guys that often I will echo what I said weeks ago – he is taking hits to make plays and that is as tough as it gets in my book. He has been very impressive and glad we don’t have cap issues because if we do get to re-sign him we are still probably looking at $5M.
Silf continues to look more natural out there and it is really showing in how quickly he is doing things – he had one shift last night where he fought for the puck on the near boards, followed it behind the net, got it back and then circled to make room for himself before winding his way to the slot – his attempted shot got deflected but it was very good to see him create his own opportunity again. Tooting my horn a bit but I think I have said this all along…he isn’t necessarily a flashy end-to-end guy but a good two way player who just makes things happen.
Zibby was important last night too – played fairly hard and made a really nice play on the give-and-go that helped set up the winner by Gonch.
Now we are without Methot for who knows how long…this one will have to hurt…he logs tons of minutes and has been great…do we bring up Boro or do we go with Lundin?
Good thing we have racked up points already because I have to believe this group will be dropping a few games in at least the short term unless the goaltending remains top notch.
Love this whole group right now.
Bobby…not buying the Parjaavi hits deal…23 games and 11 hits.
Zibby has 24GP and get ready for it…are you ready?…are you sure you can handle the truth?
46 hits!!!! 35 more hits in 1 more game…(Z. Smith has 57 hits in 30 games)
Even Silf has 22 hits.
I don’t think there is any reason to compare anyone on the Sens roster with Pajaarvi but just saying…you love him and that is cool but you rip on our rookies for being soft and not going into corners, etc…and it just isn’t the case.
I don’t want you to ever give up your critical eye but I would like to see you be able to enjoy the Sens games a bit more and see that there is some stuff that you can be excited for in the future.
If Methot is out for an extended period of time, I hope the Sen’s call up Borocop instead of playing Lundin. I’m thinking the Sen’s would have sent Lundin to the minors if they weren’t worried about being a classy organization. In other words, they don’t want free agents not wanting to play here.
Pav,
I agree. I guess some people can find fault with anything. If Bobby ever won the lottery, he would probably complain about what a pain it is to have that much money to move around.
Pav, I don’t hate anyone and I don’t just have a Man-Crush on Magnus (yes we are that close) I love the kid! You have it wrong Pav, he is just now playing on the PP and it is only after the others are exhausted! He plays his regular shift and he also kills penalties, he is 6-3, 208, extremely fast, doesn’t float around the periphery, goes into corners, goes in first and…he goes hard to the net!!! I don’t know about you but I love that! Oh yes, he is only 20 years old.
I am not a Philips fan. I saw him watch as team mates were getting beat up by the Leafs! It made me ill. He’s had 2 fights in the NHL! Sometimes you have to go! Gonchar is spectacular offensively and I have conceded that as often as he concedes every corner.
Indeed I am suggesting that Iggy, a Canadian boy, like Bourque (Canadian) wants to be on a Stanely Cup winning team boefore he retires (he is going to LA)! I don’t think it really matters to God. If he is not dealt, you can be sure was his choice, like another Swede, Sundin. I like Canadian kids because they play the game properly and win with them because they want it more!
I think you are focussing on the wrong things Pav; I have often said I like: Michalek, Spezza, Turris, Smith, Neil, all 3 goalies, Methot, Boro, Benoit, Wiercoch, Regin and God. I have conceded that Obrien works very hard every game and for a guy who once was the top scoring forward on the team, he never got any PP time!? I have encouraged the team to promote D2 and Grant. I have always said that Karly is one of the most talented kids in the league. So that’s 17 players! I have also given the coach a lot of credit!
If I show a bias for players that will go into the corners, get involved and make things happen rather than play on the periphery then I am sorry. I don’t like Fly By’s, I don’t like avoiding corners. I do not celebrate players that want others to get them the puck. I don’t like players who wont carry the puck, show some speed and go hard to the net, But, that is just me. We will see how they perform against Boston and in the Playoffs. Pierre has said it often but the game is played very differently then.
I am not a big fan of theirs. The Dog plays hard but is awful (-8). The Android does very little game after game out and he is a big boy who is supposed to be blessed with unbelievable speed that we never get to see.
I don’t think anyone likes listening to Dean Brown and Denis Potvin (last game may have been their worst).
You see Pav, I like what Montreal has done. Not what Ottawa does. I like I like one standard. I want an owner who is respected, not a dumb fool! You don’t here Molson making a spectacul of himself publicly. I like one standard for all the players on the team; the Sens have/had two. I believe in team and individual goals and consequences, there are none here in Ottawa! Mac says only the ones who have earned it will get icetime, but that isn’t true is it
Mikey, they can fly first class on charter flights, eat the best food while they stay in 5 star hotels but when a team plays 3 games in 4 nights, then plays on the 5th night getting into their hotel at 2:30 in morning for a 5:00 game later the same day, fatigue is indeed a factor. I think we all witnessed it.
The Jets, with some rest, played much differently against the Bruins. Kane and Wheeler were skating miles and hitting everybody. Ladd was outstanding as was Bogosian. The entire team had some gas after a fill up!
You have got to give Wiercoch a lot of credit. He has taken a major step forward and it all has to do with confidence! Certainly he is getting some coaching on the finer points of playing D from some veterans but he is the one that has to perform. He sees the ice very well and is a great passer..er…distributor…is there more than one puck(this first pass thing is dumb, dumb, dumb). He also possesses a great shot; the 10 goals he scored in the manures was a indicator of what was to come! He will never be physical but he showed me something when he dropped the gloves (no cross checking in the chops)and challenged McQuaig…Canadians, God bless em!
Bobby,
You couldn’t be more wrong on Carlyle’s grudges. Kadri is getting the lion’s share of playtime (and why shouldn’t he, he is producing!) while Grabovski is on their third line. There was no grudge or vendetta against Gardiner. He was to be recalled after the Winnipeg game but his agent’s comments (#FreeJakeGardiner) delayed that for a week. As for the goal differential, Anderson has don much better for us than Reimer and Scrivens has done for them. On the coaching aspect, just listen to their players Bobby. Franson himself said that last year if they had a slump they would keep slumping because there was no gameplan outside of attacking. This year, Carlyle has areas where he wants his players to retrieve and move the puck, he has jobs for his defense pairings and so on. They allowed very few shots vs. Tampa Bay last night and scored 4 goals on 15 shots. Leafs should be fine. If they win tonight in Buffalo that’s close t oa 5-7 point cushion on 9th to 10th.
As for OUR team. I hear Bruce that all points count but it should be reminded to the team that there are NO points for losing in OT in the playoffs and there are NO shootouts. It would do well for the Senators to start banking two points per game pronto, because in the playoffs it really is next goal wins.
PaV. Yes, it does mean that re the Cup.
They asked Alfredsson when he hit 1,000 if he felt his career would be empty without a Cup and he said (in typical Alfie fashion) Not really, he’s had a good career and it it doesn’t happen it doesn’t happen.
Go to Sweden, they made a stamp of Forsberg/Sundin/company winning the gold, international play is seen as more valuable than the NHL. Look at the fuss over the SEL performance of Silfverberg, dear lord he’s not accomplished a thing where it counts, the NHL.
It’s not being negative, it’s having BALANCE. The media in this town do nothing but throw flowers at the team, so it’s up to us to nitpick and criticize. We’re not under Murray’s whip so why not use our freedom of speech to ask questions that will never get asked or answered for whatever reasons?
Lastly, and more tellingly, all we heard is how Murray built the Ducks championship team (ignore the new defense corps and 75% of forwards being replaced by other GMs) well here he is in Ottawa.
Where’s the Cup he’s so good at building?
Oh, and for that guy that called me a troll for asking why Karsson isn’t skating, answer me this:
Erik Karsson is currently walking on both feet, sneakers on feet without much difficulty. Word is he could play in the second round of the playoffs. If that’s the case, why doesn’t he play BEFORE that? If the team doesn’t REACH the second round what goes it do if he can’t play then?
Has anyone seen Anderson? I sure hope MacLean doesn’t give him the #1 job…must be some ankle sprain that lasts close to two months!
Hey Bobby,
I remember you writing off Weircoch in the past as a non-prospect mainly because he played college hockey. As I said before Bobby, if you write off 99% of the prospects, you will be correct a few times.
Bobby, clever on the hazel play on words but a word of warning. Heenan-Blaikie have served other blogs for a lot less concerning Burke. Not sure if SunMedia or yourself would be the ones going to court but I’d urge caution on that topic.
We can’t compare anyone I guess! There are hits and then there are hits. Following someone into a corner and leaning on them is not a hit to me. I ask you and Mike to see how often the two Swedes go into a corner first, see if they come out with the puck; see how many legitimate take aways they get; witness how hard they go to the net and how far they carry the puck. These are things Pajaarvi does every shift, every game! Just like a shot from 50 feet out is still a hit, a loving budge on another players BACK, is registered as a hit.
Dave, I compare Magnus to Zibby and Sly because he is Swedish, only 20 and the Sens could have had him! You know your hockey and I suspect you aren’t really impressed with Zibanejad. Even last night against the Bruins, he looked slow, cautious, unwilling to carry the puck, stays high and far away from traffic and moves the puck very quickly once on his stick. Silfverberg looks better, faster and more confident but he too loses a step when there is a threat.
Magnus, if you watch him, carries the puck all over the ice; he pursues it even in the tougest areas and he drives hard to the net. He is the type of player that I will celebrate. But again, that is just me.
The team is winning and that is wonderful but I can’t get really excited about how it is done.
Pierre, what are you talking about??
Bobby, I absolutely concede again that Zibby isn’t pressing the play that much but I will argue your view on the hits. Seems every time someone gets credited with hits that you believe is soft you are able to talk around it by defining what type of hits they throw. It is your prerogative to decide who you believe is physical or not but let’s at least agree that no matter how hits are defined Zibby is by FAR a more physical player than above-Parj.
And, just so we go forward with the correct ideas above-Parj is almost exactly 2 years older than Zibby – he will turn 22 in a couple of weeks and Zib will leave his teen years behind then as well. We could have drafted him yes, but I am sure glad we took Cowen instead.
Silf is asserting himself more and more and once again we agree to disagree because I am watching regularly as Silf carries the puck, wins the puck against the boards and is getting rebounds from right in front of the net. Against Boston there was one play where Silf was getting angled by Lucic in the neutral zone and he spun, pushed the puck forward and ended up created a good chance for the Sens.
The reason I don’t find it useful to compare players is that unless your name is Crosby there is probably someone better that you can be compared to. You know I like Spezza but the reason people get after him is because he isn’t physical (5GP and a goose egg in the hit column – and the guy is huge!) and he gives the puck away when there is no pressure and no need to do so. Why can’t Spezza play like Malkin? Or Toews? Or Getzlaf? That is my point – we could talk all day about anyone’s deficiencies but what is the use? To me there is no point but I get that you like to do it to help with evaluation so keep on keeping on.
I still think in a couple of years you will like both Zib and Silf!
Vis – OK so it looks like you are serious about Karlsson and Anderson playing…meaning I can’t take anything you say seriously at all.
I guarantee you won’t find anyone on this board to support that view – not even Chokerlover or Kevin who generally are more open to negatives about the Senators.
Guys, although we have different views, do either of you think Karlsson should be back playing so soon after having his Achilles sliced?
Well Dave, I have little interest when you guys discuss the minutiae of the Sens roster. The years of the great Winchester debate is a great example. It’s not wrong that you guys do it, just not for me.
As for my negativity towards the Sens I think my focus tends to be on the media and it’s effects on the fanbase more than individual players. On Karlsson I have always said that he is awesome offensive talent, I have never believed he is great on defense, not even good. What has happened the last year is the good has so surpassed the bad that is almost moot, can he keep it up? Likely, but I remember many who rocketed to the top and came back to earth, Mike Green most recently. Always supported Spezza and admired Alfies skill,although the cult of personality around him has swelled to what seems to me a least epically silly levels. Again I point to the local media for that. I have no reason to believe these guys or for that matter almost any pro would not be playing if they were able, no rationale for it.
Anyhow the passion for the rivalry is wanng for me as I think it’s for many. In my case because I have tuned out the Ottawa media in particular Team 1200 and the Sun, too many other options now. Going to take a playoff series I think. Having said that I purchased 30 tickets for next Saturday night and have a group of mostly family aged 12 to 70 coming for a fun time at Scotia. Somebody did a count looks to be 25 Leaf 3 Sens ( 1 my kid) 2 other. We will be having fun but respectfully. Hopefully our experience won’t be the same as my pal at the last Saturday game there. As he was leaving with his aged parents and two small kids a drunken lout in a Sens jersey aproached him and ordered him to remove his leafs sweater or he would remove it for him. My buddy is about 5 8 140 a security guard had to intervene. Maybe it’s not just Leafers who get rowdy.
Questioning why Karlsson isn’t skating so soon after his major unjury is ludicrous. Thus the troll analogy.
Maybe I will Dave but they will have to do a complete 180. I have never seen soft perimeter players suddenly evolve into something different. I don’t even think Zibby is that talented nor does he possess the great speed we have heard talked about. Silfverberg is better than he was but he too plays on the outside. You dismiss the take aways but to me it is a huge indicator.
Keven is going to the game on the weekend and it will be a huge one. I am really looking forward to it. No, the Battle of Ontario is all but gone (there is not nastiness that was the root cause of it all) but, it is still fun for me. Kadri is not as big as either Silfverberg or Zibandjad but he plays the game the way I like to see an NHLer play. He wants the puck and he will do what he has to, to get it and he can do something with it once he gains possession. He doesn’t pull the plug when someone approaches, not even Chara! The Habs are playing the Bruins tonight and I will be watching as their forwards pressure the opposition all over the ice.
Karlsson should and will be preparing for next year and that is all.
Anybody else worried that the Ottawa Senators are falling back to earth?
They can’t score and have been depending on great goaltending, that might be faltering.
They have a great coach, I think that McLean is pushing all the right buttons much more than the multiple phonies that this GM has hired.
Well I doubt you are “worried” Kevin…perhaps hopeful is a better word?
I am not concerned right now as last night is really the first time in a long time they have lost a game they seemingly should have won. I am not happy about that loss and Lehner looked bad on at least 2 of those goals but they can bounce back against the Panthers and hopefully come up big against the Lightning before getting some tougher tests against the Flyers and Devils…if they win those then I think they are looking good to at least make the play-offs.
Anderson may be back tomorrow – Cowen and Michalek look to be close…and I liked Conacher’s game so I think there are some positives that can get the boys back on track.
Not trying to be argumentative but if the Leafs lose against the Devils tonight and having lost Lupul would you would be worried about them starting to fade? They keep giving up a lot of goals…I wouldn’t, every team will have ups and downs throughout the season.
Dave if you look at the whole of this thread hopefully you would realize that is my point, two weeks ago it was supposed to be the Leafs in trouble and the Sens comfy. As I pointed out the Leafs were 2 points behind the Sens. Now the roles are reversed almost exactly. While every game is surely important this season the panicked reaction in both cities tends to amuse me. The Sens obviously have to win a couple soon. If the Leafs drop the back to back against NYR the freak out will begin anew in Toronto, we are supposed to be knowledgeable Canadian fans here, common sense has to be used ie not every loss is cause to go screaming doom in the streets. I thought it was obvious I was having some fun with Bruce’s original post as I followed the last part pretty close. I sometimes forget what a literal place this corner is. Anyhow as I said I truly hope all three Ott, TO, and Mtl. Make the playoffs will likely make for a compelling game every night and a matchup of any two of the three would be awesome and exciting.
With the sporadic nature of posts getting approved and multiple threads going on at once I tend to get lost as to the original story and subsequent narrative so no, I didn’t completely realize your point.
Good sign I knew you were still just poking fun though!