About to head over to the rink for the morning skate and thinking that – unlike last night’s game in Tampa – tonight’s battle with the Florida Panthers should be a pretty good one.
The Lightning are not a playoff contender. They have a couple of great players, but no depth. Their coach, I think, is far too intense. We waited about 45 minutes for Guy Boucher to give his media briefing after the morning skate yesterday. Finally, a few of us gave up and headed down to the Senators room. As we were going, we saw Boucher stomp out of his office toward the interview room. He looked like he was about to explode. Like he needed to get something off his chest. Obviously, we did the about-face to go see what he had to say. The Coles notes version: Ryan Malone was returning to the lineup and that his team would go with six defenceman against the Senators. In other words, very little.
Guess that scowl is normal for Boucher. The Montreal press will love him when he coaches the Habs.
Anyway, I didn’t realize Jason Spezza has now scored in each of his last seven visits to Tampa. That and many, many other gems popped up as the Ottawa media – Sylvain St-Laurent, Kenny Warren, Gord Wilson, Dean Brown, Denis “Five” Potvin, Dave Schreiber, Senators videoguy Chris Skinner and myself traveled from Tampa to Sunrise after the game in a limo. The trip was about 3 1/2 hours. We had a high time.
Normally, we would have been on the Senators charter, with the players, but because it’s the Dads Trip, there was no room.
The Senators need to keep their fathers around. They are now 4-0-1 in games played on the Dads Trip. They also beat Boston and Montreal the first year and Minnesota the second year before losing in overtime to Colorado.
Winning tonight would put them six points up on Toronto and seven ahead of the ninth place Washington Capitals. The Senators become the first NHL team to reach 60 games tonight. They have the weekend off and would obviously like to have as comfortable a cushion as possible from which to watch others try to catch them.
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It was a good game yesterday. Anderson looked like he was back to his normal self. It will be a diffrent story tonight. Is Anderson starting? It will be nice to see Ottawa win tonight and have some decent space between them and TO. From what I hear, TO got waxed last nigth by the Flames, lets hope is the same tonight with the Oil.
When is sportsnet going to can Potvin? I cannot see how he can last as a ‘colour’ guy in the leauge.
Last night wasn’t a good game Don? I thought it was an outstanding game and the difference was Spezza and Anderson! Ottawa was outshot and for most of the game, out played but not outscored!
I now find humour in Potvin. I realize he’s not MENSA material (to say the least) nor will he win any public speaking awards (nasal drone) but he does amuse. After the first period he suggested that Ottawa played with discipine he hadn’t witnessed in some time! His artificial and very transparent enthusiasm entertained! He actually articulated some thoughts that I simply couldn’t understand (I too am a bonafide member of DENSA). He has now migrated away from the notion that Greening “opened holes and created opportunities for Spezza and Michalek” to Butler now doing the same. My opinion is that the opposite is so. Potvin has praised anyone who patrolled the right side with Spezza: Condra, Greening, Butler (whoever). If you break it down, Butler got a secondary assist on one goal and found Spezza open in front of the net for the other. Although Butler did dig the puck out of the corner and got it to Spez, a very limited number of hockey players in the world would have scored on the play. Like Greening (who I suggested may never score another goal this year if he is not on Spezza’s line and again last night didn’t skate, didn’t/couldn’t skate with the puck nor did he hit ) Butler too should get on his hands and knees and thank our Maker every day that he plays with number 19.
Potvin will not criticize Foligno but has often talked about Smith’s bad play/slump. I do not understand. Smith plays a much tougher game (every game) and has more goals and he isn’t playing with great hockey players. I don’t get it.
As for Boucher, Don you are right on. I am not a fan of “intense” people and espcially intense coaches/bosses. I do love passionate people. If keeping your charges on edge is the objective, then I suspect its great but to motivate and inspire, it simply doesn’t work and if it does, it is short lived. Last year the media thought him to be the second coming. Yzerman (another grossly over rated hockey mind) was brilliant for snatching him away from the Habs (who are now the hab-nots). It takes ZERO inteligence to play a defencive style of hockey and a hot goalie can even make Boucher look good.
Poor Cowen is looking more uncomfortable every game. As much as I would love to see him use his 6-5, 230 pound frame more I think his lack of mobility is the source of his grief.
Spezza is now alone in 4th place in the scoring race with 60 points in 59 games playing a man short on his line all year. He would be a God in any other city, but not here in Ottawa. Potvin was actually giddy when he thought Alfredsson scored a goal and his subsequent praise of Spezza when it was learned he actually scored the goal was, for a lack of a better word, forced. I will be cheering for the Sens tonight but I am predicting a Sens loss versus the…
The win over T.B was a solid performance albeit T.B seem to be sinking faster than a submarine with a screen door. Nevertheless, we looked very good in all aspects of the game. If we make the playoffs, and I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t, can we put on a good show or will it be a fast four games and out? Obviously we don’t want to give away any assets or potential assets, however if Murray does not try to make the team better for some sort of playoff run, will Sen fans be disappointed or will they be simply happy and satisfied with just making the playoffs?
Bobby … it was a sloppy game. I realize for Senators fans it was a great outcome. But Spezza said afterwards that the ice was terrible and it sure looked like it.
Daniel, I thought I did blog something interesting.
Also sorry that I have to “approve” comments. If it was up to me, nothing would need to be approved. I’ve asked that they remove the block.
I believe if the Sen’s make the playoffs and if they are on a roll, anything can happen. There is so much parity in the league now. Although Boston won, the cup, they almost lost in the first round against Montreal when game seven went to overtime. Then, Tampa Bay took them to seven games as well.
That being said, I don’t think the Sen’s should make a move at the deadline unless it’s for a young player with potential like Turris. Unless they trade one or two of their UFA’s for another UFA that can help them now, such as a scoring forward.
Hi Don. Yes you finally blogged. It took over a week between your last blog and perhaps Bruce has passed away since his last blog was a week ago. We could debate forever if your last blog was interesting but it was appreciated never the less.
It is a shame you have to approve comments. Why is that? It does not make for a good blog site and I am sure you have better things to do then read and approve every blog.
Don, I am not talking about the ice and the ice surfaces in Florida have always been bad. In spite of the conditions, the game was fun to watch. It wasn’t a classic by any means but fun nevertheless. It delivered exactly what I expected. Tampa isn’t deep enough and the goalies are ham and eggers and Ottawa is similar but not as bad ‘tween the pipes. Dan, I would bet money Murray does diddly between now and the trade deadline. Historically, he has been very bad trading away youth and draft picks for old, slow, loaners. I think he is now gunshy. If I were he though, I would be actively trying to move Kuba, Gonchar, Dogauvins, Butler, Greening, Daisey the Air Rifle, Lee, Condra, Philips, Wiercoch and Da Costa. Coming home I listened to Galz…I have discovered he never answers a question…check it out. He was asked what team Nash would want to go and play for. Instead of simply answering the question, he goes on a long winded diatribe stating the obvious: “Nash is a telented hockey player and if he goes to a team that wants him and he wants to be there then the popular opinion is he will play better” (oh really?); He is a big guy who can score goals and brings a lot to the table” (shocker); I think Boston could use him; they are a big tough team and can confidently roll 4 lines but could certainly use more goal scoring (what team couldn’t Galz?); New York is another team that is deep and strong down the middle and Nash would look in MSG (Galz, baby, your killing me)….he went on and on but failed to answer: what team would Nash want to play for? He, like PM (and I thank God everyday I don’t have to watch or listen to the wind bag) believe volume is best. Bombard the listeners with the obvious.
Last night was pretty sloppy and the momentum swings went back and forth. I don’t think that T-Bay totally outplayed us but they carried more of the play and once again our miserable defensive zone coverage showed how glaring that part of our game is.
Glad to see the boys put the puck in the net and it is no surprise the team will go as Spezza goes. Most teams need top players scoring to be competitive and the Sens are no different. In fact, with the lack of scoring depth on the team now it is even more important.
Regardless of how he is getting them Butler has put up, what, 5 assists in 3 games now? That is not too bad at all and even though it was a second assist, his cross ice pass to Spezza is what opened up the lane for Spezza to make that beauty of a backhand drop to Karlsson (who by the way made an incredible shot – only a number of NHL players would make that shot) and his pass in front was very nice – who cares that Spezza made a move and then scored. He could have scored any number of ways from right in the high slot.
Let’s not diminish the fact that Butler is on a bit of a nice streak here…let’s just enjoy it and hope it continues.
Good win regardless as all points are important, especially with those magical games in hand our pursuers have going somewhat to waste…and here I thought all games in hand were an automatic 2 points for the other guys.
I had to pull the plug after the first period (sleep apnea test…I know that’s a major SP…turns out, I simply do not sleep well, bummer). I would have bet the house that Florida would win outshooting the Sens 20 – 11 after 20 min. But, I woke up, got a paper and was surprised and pleased to learn of the 6-2 victory! Cowen was +3 and I heard he really nailed someone with a thundering body check. I will use the new IN-WORD “Stellar”! Although I am not crazy about being outshot 44 to 31, a win is a win is a win.
Spezza got 3 more points and he is now all alone in second place in the NHL scoring race, trailing only Malkin. Really, that is incredible. 63 points in 60 games is outstanding and he isn’t playing with Alfredsson and Heatley (in their primes) anymore. I wonder what could have happened to effect the change…perhaps it could be he finally got some support from the General Manager. Perhaps his support changed the perspective of the fickle fans. Perhaps…throwing him under the bus and making him out to be the whiner who wanted out, wasn’t the best way to motivate. When was the last time we heard Murray go public with a very strong voice of support and praise for Spezza? If he did, and I don’t remember when or if he ever did, it was only this year and it served a selfish purpose (the mythical 3 year plan). For those who were all too willing to criticize him for a contract that was deemed too steep (should he have turned down the 7m/yr?), they should take a good look at the scoring race and compare his numbers to many others in the same ball park. As I said before, in any other city he would be a God.
I have to throw out one more thing. Toronto is on a losing streak now. Komisarek and his big fat contract (I believe it is around 5 meg) eats popcorn. Orr and his beligerance/truculence is in the manures. The goalie shuffle continues. Kulemin (who I love as a hockey player) is having a miserable season and he is too good to be that bad. They may miss the post season. What do you think will happen if they do? I sincerely believe that the coach is horrendous (and often a simpleton) and the GM (Lord Burke) is the most overrated, pompous, arrogant windbag GM in the NHL! So, what will happen if the Leafs miss the post season…nothing I say.
Don, it may a good bet that Boucher would be the next Coach for the happless Habs. And, he will be well recieved, afterall, the uni-lingual French province loves their Pure Laine. But the love affair will be short lived. There are only a few on the hockey club that are worthy and the team is very bad. If any team is ready for a rebuild, it is the Montreal Canadians. Their focus should be on a competent General Manager. I am sure I am not the only one who was genuinely shocked when Gainey signed Camallari, Gionta and the grossly over-paid Gomez. The insanity continued when Gionta (a uni-lingual American) was made Captain of the storied hockey team! The fans in Montreal are loud and proud but they hunger for a legitimate contender; this team certainly is not. Oh, Boucher may get by one or two years applying one-dimensional defencive style but how would that be any different than Jacques Martin’s approach? Good teams can make a coach look good, great teams make a coach look great and bad clubs can play better with a good coach, but it will still be a bad hockey club. Time will expose a team for what it really is. Until Montreal starts making some inteligent decisions at every level in the organization (which they haven’t done in many years) it will continue to be a grave yard for coaches. Historically, coaches fall and GMs remain.
I will take this opportunity to say so long to all the loyal contributors to this blog. I have come to the realization that there is very little effort keeping it relevant (content) and the sillyness associated with moderation, make it…tiresome. I have lost interest and that’s too bad. I have finally decided to join Nancy and the many others who have left (it is too bad really). Take care everyone!
OK!
Let’s try for a full week with no postings being moderated! I guess we will really weed out anyone who isn’t hardcore by then. Since most people are quicker to criticize than compliment I will say that we will be left with Bobby, Vis and myself when this test is over…
I already have requested no moderation again to Bruce and Tim Baines – Bruce said he is looking into it and let’s hope that someone listens to him because this is a joke.
Great game today…… I know its the Isles, but man it was nice to see them come out and domniate from start to finish.
We reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallly need to get rid of Potvin
Like Bobby and others, I will also be not/not blogging on this site anymore. It is a joke that you have to wait days or even weeks for your blog to appear. Makes no sense. Adios everyone. It was fun to read everyone’s opinions no matter what they were. It was even more fun to sense competitive reactions brewing amongst us all. Sens can go deep in the playoffs if they play up to their capabilities and Anderson stands on his head.