On paper, John Tortorella's Rangers look like a contender in the Eastern Conference.
They have terrific goaltending, a solid defence and in the off season, added Rick Nash to a forward group that already includes Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. The results haven't really been there for the Blueshirts in the early going. They've posted an 8-6-1 record and have a losing record away from Madison Square Garden.
They'll be without Rick Nash for tonight's contest.
Meanwhile the Senators continue to grind out wins without their two best players in the line up. Peter Regin was on the ice at the morning skate but took reps on a fourth defence pairing with Mike Lundin. He will not play against the Rangers. Milan Michalek could return to the line up as early as next week according to MacLean.
Lundin and O'Brien are the scratches for this one. Here is how MacLean lined 'em up at the morning skate.
Silfverberg-Turris-Alfredsson
Greening-Da Costa-Condra
Dziurzynski-Smith-Neil
Daugavins-Zibanejad-Grant
Methot-Gryba
Benoit-Phillips
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Craig Anderson gets another start in the Ottawa goal while the Rangers counter with Henrik Lundqvist. Puck drop is scheduled for just after 7:30 PM with the game available on Sportsnet and on the radio at The Team 1200.
The only trades I want Murray to make are for young players that will be in the lineup for years to come.
I don't want him to send any young prospects for a quick fix...
Let the season play out. These young players are getting a feel for what the NHL game is all about. That can only help them. A few wins here & there will build confidence which will also benefit the Sens long term.
Off to the game tonight.. stand on your head Anderson..
Sens 3-2 OT
Turris game winner-For old times sake!!!
Anderson stands on his head
Turris
Silfverberg
Neil
Benoit
daugauvins
grant
3-2 win
Also...I'm liking those lines, gonch/wier scares me a little though (considering who we have left as healthy players).
LET'S GO SENS!!!
I hope Gryba hammers Boyle. lol
GO SENS GO
He has been cold since basically last November when he got the concussion. He hasn't scored in nearly a calendar year
He has been just alright on the draw, but has been great on the PK (as has everyone else)
So when does this give? JOB has sat, Zib has sat, Greening has sat yet Smith keeps trucking along
IS it cause he is willing to drop the mitts?
I'd like to predict a Sens win but its going to be hard for the boys to score in this one!
If they tighten up... they could definitely wiN!
Smith has successfully shut down top lines on other teams. MAclean is happy with that and they would be crazy to sit him now. When the team is scoring 2 goals a game, don't blame your 3rd line, shut down center for a lack of scoring.
He could play the leader of the arsehole team in any Hollywood sports movie.
As for Smith shutting down top line, I agree, but when you get decimated by injuries you need your 3LC to step up. No excuses.
You mean the second game Kovalev gets scratched?
I heard someone say he was spotted with an ice pack on his wrist for much of the Devils game on Monday. Anyone else get that?
If he is indeed off the roster because of a small injury, I don't get why they wouldnt just say that. The "healthy scratch" label just seems confusing.
I think most of us can agree hes been great in his role and has played with a spark so far this year.
I just don't get it...what are they hiding.
Or will he be countered by the Andswer!
Tough to call this one, some have and props to you guys for sticking your neck out.
BUT I'm gonna have to go with the.....SENS on this one, 6-1 at home. I say SENS take it 2-1 in OT.
But yeah... It would be nice to see Turris and Smith get on the scoreboard.
Sorry 'traz but that's an unfair statement IMO. Smith HAS stepped up by helping keep the game low scoring (shutting down the other team). I'd rather he continue that than sacrifice shutting them down to try and score more.
If this happens you mind giving me this weeks lottery numbers too?
Tough when your whole top line is out (Spezza/MM9/mis sing top line winger).
Still, loving the way the boys are playing and hoping for a win tonight.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=656677&navid=nhl:topheads
I agree. Of course it would be nice to see Smith score, but to scratch him because he hasnt when he has been #1 shut down guy and your power play has one goal in 7 games is misguided in my opinion.
He skated on his own earlier today apparently. I think they're still calling it "whiplash". Which is code for "we don't want to call it a concussion".
He has 6 assists, is a -3, and has all of 3 goals since December 31st 2011, being a regular skater on the 3rd line even seeing action on the 2nd line this year
I hate +/- but he is tied for 2nd last on our team
Look I'm not trying to hate on Smith, he does serve a roll, and he does that roll really well. But we need scoring
And when you need scoring you need to look to your 3rd line, and not jump them and look to 4th line because "Smith shuts down the opposition"
All I'm saying is that he needs to step up and contribute
I know some of these young guys have not seen these number of games with no rest inbetween before and it may be catching up to them physically and mentally.
NYR have Richards/Gabori k/Callahan... 3 really good players.. but who else on the forward line stands out for you? That defense however is another question... very solid as is the best in the NHL in Lundqvist.
But they got goals against Brodeur.. so I guess anything can happen. The undermanned Sens beat NJ in NJ..so anything can happen.
I agree Alcatraz, I mean there is so much shutting down you can do and to be honest, it shouldnt take away a players offensive game completely.
I mean we have a a DEF playing very well and the best goalie in the league. At some point Smith has to stop shutting down and start playing more offensively.
Tough to tell from the stands or your couch of course, but I would have thought you'd see a bit more fire.
Maybe MacLean is working to keep them even-keeled instead of letting them run around. Lack of scoring is evident of course but their record since Spezza went down is not horrible.
I'm not saying it's fine he hasn't scored - I'm just saying there's no way you sit him or even get down on him for not scoring (as a coach). He's not getting any PP time and nor is he getting sent over the boards with orders to lean towards offense.
I think you answered your own question about PK play and face-offs. He's been the only center above 50% until De Costa came up; once he(De Costa) gets a couple more draws in he'll be around 55% like Smith. Only two guys on the roster that win face offs with a percentage better than a coin flip. Spezza was taking on average 24 F/O a game, Turris is taking 17 and Smith 15. Hard for some to believe that we're missing Spezza's defensive abilities, but we are!
Well Hagelin is having a great start, cant count him out and also Stepan and watch out for J.T. Miller!
Well maybe they should, reward the kid, cant hurt the PP more than it is. Maybe he gets 1 and it starts rollin!
Winning some draws on the PP would help too. Pug has a good point.
He has whiplash from watching Karlsson skating past him all the time.
Not everyone is going to be on the score-sheet. The fact that some players are un-noticed (i.e.: Philips) means that they're doing their job. They're keeping the other team quiet.
Some guys are supposed to score, some are not.
It's a team-game.
I agree but You need your 3LC to score
Guarantee if Ottawa are in the market for O'Reilly its to replace Smith
Every team needs a shut down Centremen, but the elite teams have ones that can contribute (See Jordan Staal in Pitt, Draper in his heydey, Bolland, Brouwer etc)
RALEIGH -- Winnipeg Jets defencemen Zach Redmond is down on the ice at PNC Arena after apparently having the back of his leg cut by a teammate's skate.
An ambulance has just arrived.
More information to follow as it becomes available
=============================
Sportsnet saying there was a lot of blood and his teammates are pretty shaken from the injury. Sportsnet said the cut was above the knee.
================================
As for the Sens... maybe it's 'us against the world' mentality as everyone expects them to tank...
... and LOTS of young players fighting for their first big contract
Carlos...as a forward, Smith is supposed to chip in offensively, he's done so in the past, even the most defensive forwards chip in offensively.
I think he's playing great and would probably have 5 goals with a little puck luck.
RE: Other teams having contributing 3C's - ie. Staal in Shitts
Yes you are right, however when they don't produce they have top players to counter and cast them into the shadow - Crosby. We don't have that luxury and everyone is in the spotlight. Quite easy to nit-pick a Sens player for not doing something at the moment.
All that being said - the one thing you can't say is that we lack determination. Despite shut-out losses and bad puck-luck, bad bounces the group of young guys who could have easily put their tails between their legs and run have not.
GO SENS GO!!
Prove everyone wrong - again!
PS - When was the last pizza give away? Do they still do that!?
Yes but we will never score 6 goals this year...They might have to bring it down to 4, but that wont happen.
I thought they had switched to McDonalds or Burger King.
Whatever the giveaway is - they seem pretty safe this season.
Obviously if the sens win and score 6 tonight it's because I just said that.
Conversely if they don't, it's because I just said that.
Either that or he got whiplash from trying to follow Silfverberg's shots.
Last year, I would say no because it looks like initial contact is with the chest.
This year, I'm going to say yes because they are trying to eliminate blind side and contact to the head.
Who knows with Shanny, he's all over the place with his decisions.
They give away a Big Mac if the sens score in the final minute of the games. I've been at most of the home games this year and they've come so close, but it hasn't happened yet. Maybe tonight's the night?
All depends where the dart lands...
Both promotions are still active as per SENS website.
I thought it was Maggie the Macaque that spun the Shanaban wheel?
And has anyone ever scored 6+ against Lundqvist?
Yes.
Not that I'm aware of. He gave up 5 two times a couple of seasons ago. Gotta assume Fonzie would yank him before he ever let in 6.
Thany You Coach MacClone
Speaking of other players who don't shoot, let's talk about Andre Benoit. He was brought in and talked about as if he was a offensive defensemen. Obviously, he isn't offensive at all. He's played 13 games avg 15min a game and has 15 shots. He was getting lots of PP time early in the season so to have that few shots is really bad. In comparison Phillips has 30 shots and he is definitely not known for his offense.
It also bothers me that O'Brien is out of the lineup again, unless he's injured he should be in there.
Last note, I will be at tonight's game as usual but tonight I'll be sitting first row right behind Henrik Lunqvist's net.
EEEEEEEYORE !
YIKES - and King Karlsson is still on crutches
Our forwards aren't clicking very much. If they score more, perhaps guys like Benoit will be looked in a different light.
Have fun at the game tonight Jason555.
Yes, I understand that, but to expect him to step up and produce "top-6-like" numbers is ridiculous.
Out of curiousity, does anyone know what his ATOI is like? (For Z. Smith) Maybe he's not getting enough ice-time.
And does anyone remember the days when we had 4 lines that can score?
Arvedson-White-Alfredson
Hossa-Spezza-Bonk
Schaefer-Fisher-Havlat
Niel-Vermette-Kelly
Philips-Chara
Redden-Volechenkov
Pothier-Rachunek
I mean, just look at the depth:
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000542004.html
It's also been said, but Us Ottawa Fans have been spoiled for waaay too long having such a great time for so long, and have taken it for granted.
Bah, those are terrible tickets, worst spot to be is right behind the net, well anywhere 1st row really. Enjoy the game tho. :)
BIG SURPRISE that you even complain and crap on someones seat location as well. Someone forgot to take there Thursday morning happy pill again.
Keep the plays simple and clean, limit turnovers and with strong goaltending, we can see another Sens win tonight.
I've often said I do not like to make predictions on scores, it's just something I don't like doing. But I will make one prediction... Silfverberg and Turris will combine for a big game! And Gryba will show everyone on this team exactly why he deserves to stay.
Go Sens Go!!
Whoa who said anything about producing like a top 6...nobody said that.
His first goal is way overdue, he's the only FW on the team playing those kinds of minutes and NOT have a goal.
Dont you have anything better to do than follow me around? Do you want my twitter handle, maybe my email?
I'm not interested in you, go away! LOL
Last year we had 4 lines that could score!
Who are these guys? When did Bonk play RW?
I hate the grammar police as much as anyone but that was too funny Hax...
Alfredsson only got the second 's' after he became GOD... just saying.
#neverlearns
You dont healthy scratch a guy with 4 goals.
It's a confidence thing right now. Our Sens had to change strategies from relying heavily on Spezza and Karlsson to learning how to tackle these games in grind-them-out kind of way. They're still getting used to it. Let's see who will step it up for us tonight.
All signs point to a day-to-day wrist injury.
- spotted on the bench with an ice pack two games ago.
- Zibanejad left the ice after JOB today (perhaps JOB is "game time")
- Nothing in JOB's play warrants two nights off, one for rest maybe but not two
I think he's just banged up.
Been a LONG time since I posted here, but your comment touches on something I've been thinking for a bit now...
Turris has been really strong this season. It doesn't show up on the scoreboard, but he is making some really smart decisions out there. I'm happy we got him.
Exactly. With everyone healthy we'd have plenty of scoring balance.
You must be joking or you've never sat behind the net. It's my favorite place to sit, I agree that sitting close to the glass is usually bad, the exception is right behind the net because you can see all the ice and not have obstructed views from the glass. Not to mention the big comfy seats and lots of legroom. I have season tickets the last couple years and I've tried sitting in every location.
Just to stir the pot some more
If he is our "top shutdown centre" you would think he is playing often vs other top lines, therefore be on the ice quite a bit
Even when we had Spezza-Heatley- Alfie as best line in hockey they surrended goals when on the ice
I'm not saynig Smith needs to produce like a top 6. Im saying if he wants longevity in this league, he needs to elarn to chip in here and there with the ice time he does get, or else he will be quickly replaceable
See Bill Muckalt
Yeah sorry, it was jut my opinion but atleast you know its usually bad up close.
Only sat there 1 season, didnt like it, I wasnt directly behind the net, mind you.
Hax - 8
Who will win today's "Windbag Derby" ?
You two really need to start your own blogs.
Hax, looks like you have an Arch enemy now, welcome to the club of uncomprimising gentlemen.
I think it's funny when people suggest posters post too much. Is Senschirp.ca required reading at Carleton or something?
Why would you try to make someone think badly about the seats they probably spent money on?
What's the purpose of this?
I remembered Todd White centered Alfie and someone else.
Bonk was the 2C with Hossa
Havlat-Fisher-Neil was our 3rd line.
and Our 4th line in any combination was good.
RE: Bonk on the wing. I don't remember, but the fact that we had Smolinski and Spezza confused the hell out of me even more.
Something tells me we had Havlat playing with Shaun van Allen lol
I remember a Van Allen GWG goal vs Jersey
you are a fanboy too. except, you are a fanboy of this fantasy sens team with every player scoring atleast 20 goals a season, including the goaltender - that probably will never exist and in reality you are probably a fanboy of the toronto maple oompa loompas. oh but there is one unique and distinct difference: you need a head diaper due to your extreme case of verbal diarrhea. i hope your lunch doesnt worsen your situation.
#goseeashrinkso on
Go Sens Go!!
Anyone want them? reply with your email
Section 316
Charma though lol, Blocks a done deal to Ottawa,, Well, he isn't exactly lighting it up on Broadway... ZBad, Lehner and 1st??? Hindsights 20/20 and maybe Murray is relieved on the outcome of the situation. I know I am.
33's gonna pot one tonight!
Go Sens Go!
If there are still available, I'll take them - e-mail is leisinger
Nash is in NYC - injured.
Nash isn't playing tonight.
e-mail received. many thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW9Sp-WndwA
http://espn.go.com/nhl/team/schedule/_/name/ott/ottawa-senators
Anderson - 10 times
Karlsson - 2 times
Bishop - 2 times
Turris - 1 time
Neil - 1 time
Condra - 1 time
Pretty impressive that the goalies were the best player in 12 of 17 games...
He had a whiplash wopper, like in the commercial "whiiiiplaaash! "
Sens Logo gonna look mighty good on it
Got to wait till March 28 to boo his dumbass. How can you veto a trade to a team with the Best offensive Defenseman since Coffey, or Hell even Orr? Bold comment but at the end of EK's career his numbers will exceed or magnify Orr's. No doubt in my mind he's got it in him
or, pretty worrying that the goalies had to be the top player 12 out of 17 times
i don't think i'm alone in wishing that Anderson/Bishop have a really quiet game once in a whiile
i always find it interesting to see who is the god/the goat with fans on different teams. Can be interesting when thinking about trade value.
Doesn't always work of course, i can't imagine there were many Phoenix fans sorry to see Turris go.
Neither could I but I could probably bring up an archive and count out the amount of sens fans angry to see Rundblad go and not happy to see Turris arrive
holy shit Negative Nancy:
But, sorry Tookie is always right!
"they will not make the playoffs"
and
Kessel for Two first rounders and a second was a great trade for Toronto"
Tooks can be wrong... and those are great seats!
I can genuinely say I thought it was a fine trade and wasn'tupset about losing Rundblad. I'm always honest about this sort of thing, I even admitted that I wanted Redden over Chara.*
* in my defence when that happened I was still very much a novice hockey watcher - hadn't even moved to Canada.
yup he was on the bench in the third period vs Jersy with Ice on his wrist for most of the period.
easier to say scratch than to go into details about injuries i guess
there were a lot of sens fans ranging from angry to worried after seeing rundblad go for Turris. the argument was that rundblad+karlss on+cowen was too good to pass up, with alot of musing that rundblad was next incarnation of lidstrom. i guess BM knew otherwise and it turned out pretty amazing in the end, especially with picking Cody Ceci.
on anderson being a star for 12 out of 17 games - it makes the injuries to our top guys that much more frustrating. we have a really good goalie peaking right now with a cinderella defense performing very well, IF ONLY WE DID NOT HAVE INJURIES!!!!
They say scratched because they don't want to depress fans by using the 'injury' word again.
Game previews are getting lengthy simply with the Sens injury recap.
Karlsson - Achilles
Spezza - back
Michalek - knee
Regin - chest
Latendresse - whiplash
JOB - wrist
Cowen - hip
Smith - pride (Tookie thinks he sucks and should score more)
Well Smith doesn't suck, but he should score more lol, and by more I think we just mean at all
Forgot Cowen.
Imagine our team if completely healthy and performing as expected.
Latendresse-Turris-Alfredsson
Greening-Regin-Condra
JOB-Smith-Neil
Methot-Karlsson
Cowen-Gonchar
Wiercioch-Phillips
= Stanley Fucking Cup!
Damn, I want me some free tickets sometime lol.
one thing that caught my eye which is shocking: Da Costa is 60.3% in faceoffs.
The French man is winning! Against all odds.
our Injury Team could beat many NHL lineups!
After reading tookie and company on senschirp, I could not help but think of the words of Bertrand Russell.
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts."
I know it's a long shot, but if murray were to trade to O'Reilly, what would you guys think? Young, talented, could be signed for years to come?
Quoting SensFan11:
Someone else mentioned he may have a sore wrist. He was seen with an ice pack on it in his last game.
Love the player, not so sure about his wacky dad (reminds me too much of Lindros).
The real question would be which one of Spezza/Turris/O 'Rielly ends up on the wing? And does that make sense? Or is ROR only a 3rd line center?
first row in the 200's is awesome. Best seats in the house.
Michalek-Spezza-TUrris
Zibby-O'Reilly-Alfie
Obviously depends who we trade probably have to be Smith and Wiorcioch plus a pick from what I've been reading. I would then like Grant to replace Smith.
I see our bottom two lines like this.
Greening-DaCosta-Condra
Dziurzynski-Grant-Neil
JOB obviously can slot in instead of DD if you want. Would be a pretty good team. sens would make the playoffs.
Silf?
I would go with:
MM - Sp - Silf
OR - TU - Alf
then move Zibby to replace Greening or back to AHL
VIVE LA FRANCE !
I've always thought Da Costa to be hard working and fairly intelligent.
I'm sure that he was told by the coaching staff last year to work on improving his faceoff play.
I'm still cautiously optimistic about his career.
If only he was playing with better snipers than Greening and Condra during this showcase.
http://www.sportlemon.tv/a-0/10/186/a-118695.html
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=188583&part=sports
yes didnt you know the linesmen can hurt the sens in every way imaginable.
for a moment i thought sens revenge on the linesmen, except then it killed a 3-on-1
These refs suck
i'm glad he doesn't hesitate or change his game though. Not like Andy Sutton after a big check..
Linesman got hit.. They don't give out penalties.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSb3j2wUW6o
And if you look up "Sick Shorthanded Goal" in the dictionary, it will only show you pictures of Oh-Ah.
WOW !
Jake the Snake !
Hand injury that they're hiding
Oh ok, at least it's because he hasn't been deserving. Thanks
Anderson was showing how to cut chicken
no no no. He was showing how to cut a bagel.
we are seeing the making of something very very very destructive. each shift they destroy every single ranger player on the ice.
they already crunched richards and girardi pretty hard.
and coupled with gryba+methot in the back, it is one scary 5-some to be up against on the ice.
but but but all of the expert windbags that post here 30 times a day say that Smith isn't scoring enough goals
Thank God for depth boys!
Go Sens GO!!
A few sick saves by the Bishop!
Which one of you fucked the Hockey Gods daughter and never called her back? Cause whoever you are go make things right before we start calling our ECHL players.
Thanks in advance
I hate this season
:(
Right now I'm going to close my eyes, count to ten, open them again and this will have been some kind of powerful hallucination.. ..right?
It is actually unbelievable man. Wow.
ADD - G Robin Lehner
wow if I were Alfie and Turris I'd start putting on the bubble wrap now!
1-1 Fuck off!
I am so mad and disappointed that i feel like crying but i just laugh in disbelief.
Fuck off with the tanking! Let the chips fall where they will. I want to see a great effort from the Sens every night.
ahah me too. thats the first thing i did. got back from shawarma, turn back on the stream, to see Andy get dragged off the ice...... goodness
2-1 rangers
Still, though. Just unbelievable
Hahahahahaha! Pretty sure you did bro! Your last comment kind of gave you away!!
Karlsson
Spezza
Anderson
I think all I can do at this point is laugh it off.
Andy has a sprained ankle. Day to day.
I yelled Zibby and my wife told me to be quiet. :-(
Excuse me, but who does your wife think she is?!
Thx god nothing too serious
At least it is not a knee.
Assist to Silf
She from New Zealand, does not quite get the passion I have. Gotta give her a mulligan.
He also arouses me from time to time haha
Quoting Zaktama:
Whats bugging me more is the fact that they also do bad call against us but that we dont see any phantom call on them or miss call on us. Maybe its because i'm wearing sens glasses.
Example?
rangers guy miss
silf goal
calahan goal
Turris miss
rangers guy miss
zibby miss
rangers guy miss
ZSmith miss
rangers guy miss
Wiercioch miss
rangers guy miss on open net
Daugavins goal
rangers guy miss
Sens win 3-2 SO
I can't wait to hear how Torts spins this loss.
Seemed to me he likes to hold onto players a lot haha... Not complaining though! Happy with the win!
Great win boys!
Go Sens GO!
Who, who, who who
Hey good call to watch out for J.T. Miller buddy. And way to count our two rookies out. Sorry I just have a lot of built up anger towards you, hopefully you can understand.
Sincerely,
Mex Babe Jeez
GO BINGHAMTON GO!
do both
If that happens then he should get checked to make sure that he is not the second coming of jesus christ.
Can a coach suffer a season ending injury? Does that happen?
They'll change it to the Paul MacLean Award
GO SENS GO!>through thick and thin!
another 2 pts. #bish stood tall - hard
place to come in the game. Love the
#alfie save in the 1st! My ankle's gonna
be ok, be back ASAP.
Sorry, just so pissed to see our last remaining star get hurt.. venting!