Tuesday, 03 April 2012 11:34

Game Day- Playoff Bound Sens Host Canes

With the NHL playoffs now just three short games and a little over a week away, the Ottawa Senators first round opponent is yet to be determined.

And while the percentages seem to strongly suggest it will be a first round battle with the Bruins, there are still games left to play and that includes tonight’s home game against Eric Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Sens have an outside chance at grabbing sixth in the East but need a favour from the same sad looking Islanders team Ottawa bullied on Sunday afternoon.  New Jersey has to lose one of their next two games and the Sens need a win over the Hurricanes to keep that outside shot at sixth alive.

While there is still plenty to play for on the ice, tonight will be a unique chance for Sens fans to show their appreciation for a team that was dismissed by the experts at the start of the season.  Not only should Ottawa fans applaud the fact that the Senators will be returning to the playoffs this spring, but tonight also marks the fan led initiative, “A Tribute to Daniel Alfredsson”

For those of you that have yet to join the Facebook Event, here is how it’s going to work. Beginning at 11:11 of the first period, fans are asked to countdown from ten, and then burst out into an Alfie chant.  The Captain has done so much for this team throughout his career and this is just a fun way for the fans to say thanks. 

If tonight is a success, I could see this happening again at future home games.

The Sens were on the ice for the morning skate ahead of tonight’s tilt with the Hurricanes and were joined by Ben Bishop.  Bishop's injury is improving but he's still not quite ready   Sergei Gonchar was not at the morning skate and we'll rest a minor lower body injury.  Here is how are expected to line up.

Greening-Spezza-Michalek
Foligno-Turris-Alfredsson
Condra-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-O'Brien-Winchester

Kuba-Karlsson
Phillips-Gilroy
Cowen-Carkner

Craig Anderson gets the start in the Ottawa goal.  Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with the broadcast available on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. Keep an eye on the comment section for an online stream.

Last modified on Tuesday, 03 April 2012 10:55

Comments   Jump to Last Post

 
+1 #301 miguel 2012-04-04 09:30
Quoting No65*:
The only thing that worries me in the playoffs in that Ottawa seems to always be on the wrong side of the stick with the referees. Do we have a bad reputation with them?

The Bruins always struggles to past the first round and Ottawa has the team to create the perfect upset. But will the refs let both teams play. It remains to be seen.

I hope coach MacClean don't fall in the Bruins type of hockey. If we only play a smart fast game without falling for their face wash and intimidation, we are going to win. The Islanders went 4-0 this year by refusing to play the Bruins game. Go away everytime they want to start something.

In MacClean we trust.

Go SENS


The fact that we even make such a comment is what is most bothersome to me... you are 100% correct, but why in the world should we be worried about offending NHL referees that have done a terrible job?

The paying fans have every right to object, criticize, comment, on the performance of a referee, we, after all pay their salaries.

The fact that we are concerned about hurting their feeling and having them "call against us" is the most scariest part of it all.

And it is not just fans, the media, the announcers, and commentators all admit that you cannot get on their bad side... or else!

Or else what? they will stop doing their job of calling the game fairly? and will be biased against one team.

Think about it, we are all admitting that the NHL refs are unbaised by saying such comments, and unforturnately the fuked up NHL promotes such Bullshit... sorry for the language but the NHL and their refs have this all wrong, and it is us small market teams that get the worst of this BS... IMO only of course
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+1 #302 miguel 2012-04-04 09:33
Quoting IDontKnowAnythingAboutHockey:
Was an ok game, I dont think we need to go off the wall ape shit about the refs, the Neil goal was NOT A LEGIT GOAL, was clear in the replay that he bats the puck out of the ait whith his upper arm. Its even a rule...

78.5 Disallowed Goals – Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee and the appropriate announcement made by the Public Address Announcer for the following reasons:

(i) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick.


Ok then Mr knownothing (sorry couldnt resist)

please explain why Kane's was good when he ran Andy over and directed that puck in... and Neils was not?

Secondly, the puck was there on both Neil hits, and the closer ref who say it all at a better angle did not make the call?
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0 #303 Tookie 2012-04-04 09:41
Quoting miguel:
Quoting IDontKnowAnythingAboutHockey:
Was an ok game, I dont think we need to go off the wall ape shit about the refs, the Neil goal was NOT A LEGIT GOAL, was clear in the replay that he bats the puck out of the ait whith his upper arm. Its even a rule...

78.5 Disallowed Goals – Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee and the appropriate announcement made by the Public Address Announcer for the following reasons:

(i) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick.


Ok then Mr knownothing (sorry couldnt resist)

please explain why Kane's was good when he ran Andy over and directed that puck in... and Neils was not?

Secondly, the puck was there on both Neil hits, and the closer ref who say it all at a better angle did not make the call?


Dont remember the Kane goal but I'll have a look at it, gimme a couple of minutes...

Ok watched it a hundred times, only 1 anlge on NHL.com and to me it seems like he doesnt even touch it. At 3 seconds you can see the puck in the air and at 4 seconds you can see Kane is passed the puck and crashign the net. (being pushed by 3 Sens players, Kuba, Phillips and Greening)

Other than that view, I never saw him bat the puck into the net, nor does he redirect it with any part of his arms...

Was he creating interference, probably but he was clearly pushed into the net by the 3 Sens mentioned above.
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-1 #304 army 2012-04-04 09:44
Quoting miguel:
Quoting IDontKnowAnythingAboutHockey:
Was an ok game, I dont think we need to go off the wall ape shit about the refs, the Neil goal was NOT A LEGIT GOAL, was clear in the replay that he bats the puck out of the ait whith his upper arm. Its even a rule...

78.5 Disallowed Goals – Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee and the appropriate announcement made by the Public Address Announcer for the following reasons:

(i) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick.


Ok then Mr knownothing (sorry couldnt resist)

please explain why Kane's was good when he ran Andy over and directed that puck in... and Neils was not?

Secondly, the puck was there on both Neil hits, and the closer ref who say it all at a better angle did not make the call?


Another thing to note, when u all of a sudden see the puck coming at u whats your 1st instict? Ur probably going to flinch like neil did, the better question the war room should be lookin at is if neil didnt "flinch" would the puck still have hit him? Yes and was neil skating forward? Yes the puck would have went in regardless, he didnt stick his elbow or shoulder out bcuz he thot the puck was going to liss him and he needed it to hit him for a goal.
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+1 #305 No65* 2012-04-04 09:48
Neils seems the only player showing his playoffs game last night.

I rarely comment on Foligno but last night was his worst game in a long time. his decision making was damn awfull all game long. When this guy is not playing along Alfie and Turris, he plays like he has no clue when to shoot or make a pass or to make a GOOD hit.
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0 #306 miguel 2012-04-04 09:58
Quoting IDontKnowAnythingAboutHockey:
Quoting miguel:
Quoting IDontKnowAnythingAboutHockey:
Was an ok game, I dont think we need to go off the wall ape shit about the refs, the Neil goal was NOT A LEGIT GOAL, was clear in the replay that he bats the puck out of the ait whith his upper arm. Its even a rule...

78.5 Disallowed Goals – Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee and the appropriate announcement made by the Public Address Announcer for the following reasons:

(i) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick.


Ok then Mr knownothing (sorry couldnt resist)

please explain why Kane's was good when he ran Andy over and directed that puck in... and Neils was not?

Secondly, the puck was there on both Neil hits, and the closer ref who say it all at a better angle did not make the call?


Dont remember the Kane goal but I'll have a look at it, gimme a couple of minutes...

Ok watched it a hundred times, only 1 anlge on NHL.com and to me it seems like he doesnt even touch it. At 3 seconds you can see the puck in the air and at 4 seconds you can see Kane is passed the puck and crashign the net. (being pushed by 3 Sens players, Kuba, Phillips and Greening)

Other than that view, I never saw him bat the puck into the net, nor does he redirect it with any part of his arms...

Was he creating interference, probably but he was clearly pushed into the net by the 3 Sens mentioned above.


I seem to remember Kane directin his elbow at the puck, which popped it into the net... and how many times have we seen players "bumped" into the goalie only to be called interference... many many times.
fair enough agree to disagree thanks Tooks...er Know Nothing :)
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+1 #307 Spinorama 2012-04-04 10:00
Quoting SensChirp:
Quoting Spinorama:
Don't get me wrong but I don't think that Alfie chant was a good idea. I would prefer to see a "NOR-RIS" chant for Karlsson or heck what about a "Spez-za" chant for once. I'm sure Alfie would love to see his teammates get some love too. Just seemed odd to have a countdown then Alfie Alfie Alfie when he wasn't even on the ice. Alfredsson will get his jersey retired here and will be working for the organisation for a long time so maybe it's time fans showed some Karlsson/Spezza respct as they have earned it this year. (IMO)

True enough. Thing is, it's easy to suggest something like this, but harder to get out there and do it. If you think fans should be chanting something at the game, then go to the game and chant something.


Sorry SC, I know how difficult it is to get chants going in Ottawa and I do appreciate the efforts by Sens fanatics to start chants. I just think chants have to have a purpose instead of just doing a Care Bear countdown at 11:11. Right now the attention should be on Karlsson and him winning the Norris. The next chant I want to have part in is "YES WE CAN" vs Boston. Every fan cheers in their own way and there is nothing more annoying than being jeered by another Sens fan because you don't cheer when Alfie hits the net in warmups. Chants can be powerful when used properly SenMaster. JMO
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0 #308 Tookie 2012-04-04 10:01
Quoting army:
Quoting miguel:
Quoting IDontKnowAnythingAboutHockey:
Was an ok game, I dont think we need to go off the wall ape shit about the refs, the Neil goal was NOT A LEGIT GOAL, was clear in the replay that he bats the puck out of the ait whith his upper arm. Its even a rule...

78.5 Disallowed Goals – Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee and the appropriate announcement made by the Public Address Announcer for the following reasons:

(i) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick.


Ok then Mr knownothing (sorry couldnt resist)

please explain why Kane's was good when he ran Andy over and directed that puck in... and Neils was not?

Secondly, the puck was there on both Neil hits, and the closer ref who say it all at a better angle did not make the call?


Another thing to note, when u all of a sudden see the puck coming at u whats your 1st instict? Ur probably going to flinch like neil did, the better question the war room should be lookin at is if neil didnt "flinch" would the puck still have hit him? Yes and was neil skating forward? Yes the puck would have went in regardless, he didnt stick his elbow or shoulder out bcuz he thot the puck was going to liss him and he needed it to hit him for a goal.


I understand your argument but its not valid, its only an excuse. He didnt have to "flinch" it was a slow pop up puck, he could have let it hit him in the chest or shoulder even but he made a jab at the puck with his arm. Clearly shown on the replay video, I'm not even sure the puck would of hit him had he not jabbed at it. Very easy call to make, no goal. Sorry but it was the right call.

You should be more up at arms about how Foligno is taking dumb penalties which results in us losing games.
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0 #309 Tookie 2012-04-04 10:06
Quoting miguel:

I seem to remember Kane directin his elbow at the puck, which popped it into the net... and how many times have we seen players "bumped" into the goalie only to be called interference... many many times.
fair enough agree to disagree thanks Tooks...er Know Nothing :)


Well with the replay I saw, Kane is not even close to the puck when its in the air, he is being pushed into anderson by 3 Sens.

Go to NHL.com and stop the Kane goal at 0:03 & 0:04 and you can see the puck in the air and Kane already passed it. Maybe there is another video of it?
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+1 #310 Tcharger 2012-04-04 10:10
Lets get a new topic...I hate when it goes to the second page, I try to refresh and it always defaults to the first page.


Pretty stoked for the playoffs to start now that we have clenched...thes e last few games are almost dull as I know they mean all but nothing.

Bring on some playoff hockey!
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0 #311 Tookie 2012-04-04 10:19
Quoting Tcharger:
Lets get a new topic...I hate when it goes to the second page, I try to refresh and it always defaults to the first page.


Pretty stoked for the playoffs to start now that we have clenched...these last few games are almost dull as I know they mean all but nothing.

Bring on some playoff hockey!


Yeah I agree whats done is done...cant go back and change it. Its going to be a great series for sure. Very physical with Thornton, Lucic, Marchand, Chara, Boychuk vs Neil, Foligno, Carkner, Cowen, Konopka.

One guy I cant stand is Greening, he is supposed to be fast, yet never shows it in a game, he is big, yet never hits anyone and is tough but hardly fights...I guess he thinks he's a real #1 winger...
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0 #312 miguel 2012-04-04 10:28
also want to point out that while watching the game yesterday, and again our struggles on the PP, I could not help but think how Silfver may have been able to help out on the top line, or on the PP... I know maybe too much to ask for a rookie, but Greening is not much more than a rookie, and Silfver sure looks like a better option.
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0 #313 Tookie 2012-04-04 10:50
Quoting miguel:
also want to point out that while watching the game yesterday, and again our struggles on the PP, I could not help but think how Silfver may have been able to help out on the top line, or on the PP... I know maybe too much to ask for a rookie, but Greening is not much more than a rookie, and Silfver sure looks like a better option.


Miguel you have to understand that Silfverberg wont control the PP or even set it up. He would be used very sparingly at best. You have Spezza, Alfie, Karlsson and Michalek(doing what Silf would do), the PP goes through them, I doubt SVB would change much if those guys cant already get it going.
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