For the second straight game, the Senators catch a bit of a break by dodging an elite goaltender. Carey Price had the night off on Wednesday and now Cam Ward will rest in favour of his back up, Dan Ellis. Obviously you don’t want to take a team lightly no matter who's in net but this is another lucky break for the Sens.
After Boston's loss at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres, the Senators come into Friday’s action officially holding the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Both Ottawa and Boston have identical 5-1-1 records but the Senators have the edge thanks to the number of regulation wins.
The Sens should get a boost on the back end tonight as Sergei Gonchar draws back into the line up. With the return of Gonchar, Mark Borowiecki moves to the press box. Guillaume Latendresse did not make the trip to Carolina and will be replaced by Kaspars Daugavins. Latendresse has the flu and will not play in either of the weekend games.
Here is how the Senators are expected to line up based on the morning skate.
Michalek-Turris-Alfredsson
Daugavins-Regin-Silfverberg
Greening-Smith-Neil
O'Brien-Zibanejad-Condra
Methot-Karlsson,
Benoit-Phillips,
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Craig Anderson makes his 7th start of the season for the Senators. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:00 PM with the game available on Sportsnet and on the radio at The Team 1200.
GO SENS GO!
- With Jason Spezza sidelined indefinitely, you can guarantee the Senators are going to pop up in trade rumours for the next little while. Last night the Sportsnet panel talked about UFA to be Stephen Weiss as a possible option. Ryan O'Reilly's name is likely to come up as he's locked in a contract dispute with a struggling Avalanche team. For now anyway, Murray's plan is to give the young guys a chance to fill that spot. Much like the situation on the back end, the organization will not make a panic deal that could hurt the team in the long run.
I totally agree Tookie. Add to that Anderson is quickly becoming considered one of the premiere puck-stoppers in the league right now. Guys like that want and get the vast majority of starts.
This could be a great two weeks, I hope the squad can avoid any other injuries.
*thumbs up*
I love that murray is not jumping on any moves. Many people wanted a move done on the D due to Cowen (top 3 D) not being in the lineup, and look how well the team has stepped up internally. Let the boys play!!! it's not like weiss (or other similar player) would make the difference in bringing the cup.
We all know Bishop is MUCH better than he played last time out and when on his game is one of the best backups in the league.
No "panic" move required, but either of those guys could fit into the longer term plans for the club and be around when we hoist the Cup two seasons from now. I hope Murray is calmly exploring both options.
Speaking of Weiss i am surprised that the Panthers are floundering as they are, I thought they did a made a lot of really strong moves to improve over the past two seasons!
I agree with your thoughts also, however this is a very precarious slope. we have a chance to build on our cushion that may very well make the difference of whether we sneak into the playoffs. So there is that versus the 'possibility' of helping create a market for Bishop.
We already have a log jam at the position when people are healthy Spezza, Turris. Smith, Regin, O'Brien, Zbad, Da Costa - i understand depth but why would we want a thrid line centre making 4 or 5 million which is probably what Weiss and O'Reilly will be looking for next year. That doesn't make sound financial sense for Melnyk.
Bringing in somebody to ease the spezzaless burden seems to make no sense if it involves trading away any of the prospects that the organisation is high on, especially for a rental. If and when Spezza gets back it will be provide the impetus of a rental anyway.
If there is to be a trade make it one that has benefits next year and the year after - not one that only benefits us until June.
I think the difference is, for whatever reason, I don't think Malkin isn't having fun out there right now.
Let's hope it stays that way. Dirty Penguins!
So are we building a hole for a temporary fix (we are already pretty strong down the center). I'm not completely against it, especially if its a good young player coming our way. But are we building a future surplus while digging a whole elsewhere?
I dunno... FLA can get pretty whacky when their season quickly starts to go down the shitter! This keeps up I'd be surprised they didn't pay the demands for Luoungo and/or flip Weiss.
Before I watch I am calling it ahead of time, I'll bet he suggests trading Andy from your fantasy leagues!
I can understand whoever trades for him might want him to be game ready but I doubt Bishop is brought in by anybody as a rental option. What might affect things is that i thought he had to play a certain number of games to retain his RFA status, people might be wary of trading for him if they feel he can just walk away at the end of the year.
Question is:
What are Florida's needs? (I honestly don't know...I only have the time to follow the Sens). Goalie (Bishop)? Theodore hasn't been too bad from what I've seen...but maybe.
I would want to keep a lot of our draft picks in this draft.
zibby was our rumoured trade bait for every trade last year...I don't see that happening anymore.
Who would go? Bishop + ? is the only way I would do anything. For a second line center that will (probably) become obsolete when spezza comes back (I think turris would stick as 2c and don't see weiss as 3c on our team).
just thinking out loud...
Apostle...I agree with you 100% Scouts/GMs don't base their decisions on short term stats. Or trades like Turris wouldn't happen...they look for potential and skills.
He is probably right though. A lot of Fantasy pools get points for wins. If you can trade him for a goalie on a top 5 team in either conference right now you are probably walking out with the better fantasy goalie. Nobody keeps a .960-.970 saver percentage. It doesnt mean the other goalies are better, but you could probably get a much better fantasy goalie at this point. My 2cents
The sens are ahead of Boston because they won 5 games in Regulation\Over time not because of the goal differential.
I can't wait to watch this line tonight :
Daugavins - Regin - Silfverberg
Hell...I like all of our lines tonight. some good talent up front, with tonnes of energy to back them up...
D has been solid all season...and of course...andy.. .nothing needs to be said about andy...
Cheers!
I also haven't been following Florida too closely so not exactly sure what is ailing them. Half their games they've been kept to a goal or less but in a couple others they filled the net including 5 against the Canes and 6 on Winterpeg.
I thought Theodore was pretty sharp both games against us, stopped a lot of shots and kept them in the game for most of it, but other teams have thumped them pretty good however in most games they have been scored on 4 times or more.
Either way they are 2 and 5 and have had a somewhat soft schedule like we have. If they don't pick things up something is bound to give!
vancouver is not going to trade luongo this season i think - spotty start for schneider. maybe offseason depending on how it turns out. and FLA don't need a goalie because of markstrom - otherwise Luongo would be in FLA now. FLA were probably trying to dump salary the other way or asking for a good piece.
sens dont need to make any trades for a higher centreman. they do need to evaluate Regin more critically and maybe replace him somehow.
and continuing from the previous post comments - i dont buy the NYR hype - i feel they are a one line top heavy team with a crazy goaltender and an mad coach.
I hear what you are saying just not sure I'm buying it though. The only logical argument Cullen makes is the Spezza factor, and that could be said for any tender in the league where a major player goes down in front of them...
Otherwise I don't see Anderson playing any less, and personally I think he can keep up the sick stats quite well. Even Tookie agrees we can realistically take 5 of the next 6 games and Anderson may very well start all of those so...
Fantasy "value" being equal, who on Earth would you rather have right now?
Panthers Team Depth Chart of NHL Prospects
Strengths
High-end goaltending.
Size, grit and leadership at defense.
Quality depth at center and defense.
Weaknesses
Uncertain depth on RW.
Lack of true, top-end offensive defenseman.
Agreed. IF we need anything at all. If the team plays .500 with no glaring holes I say stand pat (unless a trade comes along that we'd have done with a healthy Spezza in the lineup).
For the record, I am against a trade...just playing with the idea of what we would have to give away...since it has been mentioned that murray may be kicking tires...
Ummm why? can u explain please?
What could be so exciting to watch Daugs and Regin...Daugs is a mucker and Regin is a bum, lol! Silf will struggle tonight, poor guy.
F**k that idea!
Hey Tookie, at one time even the great, glorious Mr. Alfredsson was just a small potatoes nobody on this squad.
Unless you are a high pick, most players start off like this, but some of them become legends.
Keep the Faith!
Cam Ward has not been up to snuff to start the season. Ellis btw is right below in Anderson in GAA - 2nd in league. Also, Ellis is not a slouch either and has shown in the past with NSH that he can steal games. They are not underestimating the sens, they are going with the hot hand.
Quoting Tookie:
do as you preach bud - be a man!
Looks like it, thats 3 in 8 games and the starters we've face are none the better haha Pavelich, Theodore 2x, Lindbach, with Fleury being good.
They are also looking ahead to Philly tomorrow. Do I think they are taking us lightly? No. They have been struggling so they know they need to turn this around.
Not tonight though. Anderson is playing with his Scott Cullen voodoo doll right now.
Senators 4 - Carolina 0
Haha sorry, I'll keep the Faith that Regin and Daugs become Legends...My bad.
Hell even Alfie's rookie year he put up more points than Regin and Daugs have in their careers combined. (I didnt actually look that up but im confident its close.)
Rush - wherever you are and wherever I am, I am prepared to buy your tickets and many many drinks for the night Daugavins plays his 1000th sens NHL game.
Talk to me after another 5 games or so once he's adjusted.
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Not implying Daugs is a high end player, but I do hope he can fire up Regin and Silf...who do have some skill (especially silf). Silf needs to start shooting more. He's got an NHL caliber shot...just needs to start finding a place on the ice to start shooting from...
Agree, I meant mid/long term rather than short term.
Haha ok! No risk / high reward scenario for this guy!
I'm just saying, people tend to think most players are second class citizens until they get that one opportunity they really need to bust out. You never know.
Nice one!
I'll take hq8 advice and be a man and take the Hurricanes in a close hard fought game.
3-2 Canes in regulation.
Bring it!
Because they all have something to prove. You can't predict how those three are going to play together.
Is it going to be a failed experiment? Are they seeing this opportunity as a big chance to impress the coach and bring their A game?
Regin is a decent center when playing to win instead of playing not to get hurt.
Silf could become a star player and Daug could bring the energy they need to be successful against the canes third line
So yes I'm excited to watch this line tonight because I don't know what to expect from them.
Haha!
I've only heard how bad it has been here for games, haven't witnessed it first hand.
Hard to believe people get so drunk / wound up as to make it personal.
You create energy with 3rd and 4th line players on the 3rd and 4th lines, not on the top 2 lines. They will be too busy chasing the other teams 2nd line to even create anything.
We know they will be going up either vs a Staal + Skinner or Semin or Jokinen. Ouch not a good match up either way.
Hope you're right and that his progression here goes along the same lines as what happened in Binghampton.
Goals by Alfie, Z-Bad, Turris and Z.Smith
Really liking our depth and flow of the last game. Looking forward to tonights game.
Just picked up tickets for both the Feb and March Sens games in Toronto. Can't wait!
And I havent even been around for it either... For once I am not the evil person!
Nice one!
I'll take hq8 advice and be a man and take the Hurricanes in a close hard fought game.
3-2 Canes in regulation.
Bring it!
you are so predictable
i predict that andy is #beastmode again, sens D again surprises - other than Karlsson lol, the captain and his linemates hold their side of the bargain and zib,neil,smith, greening,condra and o'brien cause Carolina a lot of trouble. sens 4-1.
Which Sens will show up? The ones who played against the Caps, or the ones that played against the habs?
Gonna hope it's the ones that played the habs and call it a 3-2 win...
you are so predictable
i predict that andy is #beastmode again, sens D again surprises - other than Karlsson lol, the captain and his linemates hold their side of the bargain and zib,neil,smith, greening,condra and o'brien cause Carolina a lot of trouble. sens 4-1.
And you forgot to say were going to win the Cup, cuz apparently the whole team cant be stopped!! LOL
For a change!
Imagine that, things apparently are worse here when you aren't around.
I ckose to let that one go, but I was wondering the same thing...
And you forgot to say were going to win the Cup, cuz apparently the whole team cant be stopped!! LOL
last year you said sens wont make the playoffs. you predicting sens losses for regular season games is therefore peanuts compared to that. some people never learn....#getyo urheadoutofthes andpit
Boooom.
His numbers are through the roof, very comparible to Thomas's stellar year, hopefully he can kee it going!
He is the #1 reason we are where we are right now.
Chirp,
I keep being logged our after so many minutes for some reason. I also end up in the "videos" section every time I try to log in. It wont let me log in unless I go to http://senschirp.ca/component/comprofiler/login
I'm on my mobile on opera mini.
Thanks for the heads up. Will pass along.
His Tweet from him after the win over the Caps was classic!
Craig Anderson @CraigAnderson41
Slow start tonight, but what an ending! Just had chicken parm, fingers still intact. #winnerwinnerch ickendinner #noknives
For the logging out problem, try checking the remember me box. As for the login issue, try clearing your history and cache in your phones settings. I'm using opera on my mobile as well and am not getting those problems.
Let me know if that clears it up for you!
Increased the session length, let me know if it continues.
I thought Weiss was injured?
Increased the session length, let me know if it continues.
Thanks! Most chicks charge extra for that.
I wasn't aware of anything but now having checked he is listed as "probable" for Sunday's tilt against Buffalo.
Look how far it is up there! ----^ That and the ad for "Cougar Life". HowTF did I ever get targeted for those?
edit: I realize that isn't an arbitrary change and impacts articles archive + ads + Twitter feed. I just threw that out there for fun. :)
SC may have to change the website to xxxsenschirp.ca !
Haha, that tweet is hilarious.
-----
This makes me laugh...
https://mobile.twitter.com/gopherballs/status/297447668513402880?p=v
Even at work I get followed by Cougar Life and also Christian Singles which is even more disturbing.
Not good targeting folks!
And yes I understand how all that profiling works, I'm in online marketing.
It remembers my info at the top of this window but when I hit login it takes me to the videos section and doesn't log me in. Just started happening a few days ago I think. Tried clearing everything as well.
For some reason JDate follows me. I'm not even Jewish. Odd!
But reading the part about Ottawa dodging a bullet not facing a #1 goalie made me think. From our end, it seems like pure luck that it's happening. But what if it's the decision of the opposition in terms of not wanting to put the #1 in a situation to lose?
I may be getting ahead of myself, but seeing how the Sens are playing and how Anderson is killing it, most teams may just be considering it a no win battle before it starts and figure it's best to put in the backup, especially if the starter hasn't started well. This allows them to rest the starter for a game they can win!! lol I know, just throwing sh!t out there.
Cheers boys and Go Sens Go!!!
That one leaves at 6pm for 7pm games, just wondering if there may be one that leaves earlier, 530 or so.
And yes I am aware of the OC Transpo.
Cheers!
GO SENS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOO!!!!!
goals by Condra and Karlsson.
6-5 Ottawa in a shootout
suck it Phaneuf
Cam Ward - 4 games, 15 goals against.
Dan Ellis - 2 games, 2 goals against.
Not saying Ellis is a better goalie than Ward...but right NOW...Ellis seems to be playing a very reliable backup role, and I for one hope that this is not another one of those games that a damn backup steals the show for his team!
Like a couple others have already said, I too have a gut feeling that this will be a 2-1 game. Question is...for who?
Fixed. Thanks!
The standings sheet on TSN is pretty misleading, I made the same incorrect assumption this morning!
Glad to know though we have BOTH tiebreakers.
Pizza delivered to front door...check!
chicken wings fresh and hot out of oven...(cheaper than ordering..)...Check!
Cream Ale tall boy (pffssst) poured into frosted Sens glass....check!
Gametime....CHECK!
Wife laying on couch with a headache while watching Young and the Restless on the PVR.....ERROR ERROR ERROR!!
True story gents. Shes got 5 mins before I start whipping chicken wing bones at her forehead.
Haha awesome. Really felt all the emotions that went with that post. Hang in there!
Poor Regin is doing everything wrong again tonight.
i so wanted the Sens to sign Semin this summer. Oh well... Anyone remember that game 3-4 years ago at SBP where Semin had like 5 points against us? He was unreal.
Yup. Should be back soon!
Still lots of hockey left...
and why are the sens playing PW46 today?? borocop should have played
unfortunately our second PP is showing that it was only a glimmer of fame against mtl.
We need 2 goals to win this one.
Go Sens Go
If Ottawa shifts into 4th, as we've seen in the past, we'll all be smiling :)
Better than the Washington game?
I wouldn't mind moving Milo for said centre. He's been a disappearing act all season.
Different but equally ugly. No momentum for either team.
Well, the game is so boring!
I think he's awful personally.
Come on guys...W A K E U P ! ! !
They should have played like they did in the third all game long.
I think the Regin experiment should be over - now. bring up Da Costa. he is producing down in the AHL. Regin has had 9 games to produce, got super setups by alfie but no bite.
atleast our defense is holding up pretty good i think.
i would say the game was pretty even. one bad bounce cost sens a goal. andy was phenomenal.
again, the sens need to solve the 2C-interim issue i think. it puts more pressure on the bottom two lines and even more on Turris.
Jason Arnott's deal with NYR did not go through....mayb e Murray should look at this because the guy can still play and was very useful for St. Louis last season.
I think the team played good overall, but there's a lot of pressure on Turris without a legit second line C. Regin isn't it; I think Murray may pull the trigger on someone.
Michalek, as usual, just didn't come thru. Was invisible in the first two periods, and had some chances to score but didn't cash in.
I think he's a player that may be attractive to some teams, and could potentially get us a more needed centre.
But if this is any indication of how the team can compete without Spezza, than I am pretty pleased. They weren't great, but they were decent; this was their 3rd game in 4 nights.
A win vs. Montreal would get the boys back in it!
GSG!
Good effort in the 3rd. Zibby showing some real speed at some points. He will be good for us. Our best chances were blown by Gonchar on a great set-up by Silfverberg and Michaleck on a perfect pass from King Karlsson.
Let's go beat the crap of the Habs Sunday afternoon.