The Montreal Canadiens certainly looked the part of the top team in the Eastern Conference, taking the play to the Senators for large stretches of last night’s game. They checked extremely well and really didn’t allow Ottawa to generate much in the way of offence while consistently controlling the puck in the Senators’ end.
The Habs did everything right on Monday night but they just couldn’t find a way to beat Ben Bishop. Bishop turned in one of the more impressive goaltending performances at SBP in recent memory, stealing two points for Ottawa in a game they had no business winning.
The only shot that got by the Sens netminder was a rocket from Andrei Markov late in the second period that tied the game at 1-1 heading into the final period. David Dziurzynski scored the only goal for Ottawa, beating Price on a long slap shot the Habs netminder would love to have back.
Peter Regin would score the eventual shootout winner, as he got Carey Price to bite on a fake shot and easily tucked it past the sprawling Habs netminder. Regin just about ended the game in overtime too, as he rung a shot off the crossbar behind Carey Price.
The win gave Ottawa a perfect 4-0 record on a crucial home stand. These will be huge points for the Sens as they now embark on a tough stretch that will see them play 8 of 10 away from Scotiabank Place.
The Sens have an off ice workout today and a couple days until their next game on Thursday night. A showdown with the red hot Boston Bruins.
- Jakob Silfverberg continued his dominance in the shootout, scoring for the third time in as many tries. Silfverberg has now beat Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist and Carey Price in the shootout. Not a bad way to start his NHL career.
- Peter Regin looked like he was going to miss another game on Monday night. That was until he marched into Paul MacLean’s office and told the Sens Head Coach he was ready to return. Really liked what I saw from Regin on Monday night. He played 14:18, registered a few shots on goal, made a couple excellent defensive plays and nearly ended the game late in the overtime session. Here’s hoping Regin can build on that performance heading into Thursday night.
Stay tuned!
2- Pittsburg 26 pts
3- Carolina 19 pts
4- Binghamton 26 pts
Enough said
Go SENS Go
You forgot Phillips. He still has one year left on his deal.
Benoit has played very well too...
The great thing about having so much depth in this organization is it pushes players to be their best. They know if they don't work their asses off there will be a handful of guys behind them ready to jump into the line-up.
Go Sens Go!!
We had NO business winning that game or hell, even coming out of it with a point. These are games the Sens of old were ALWAYS on the wrong side of. Such a treat to watch their compete level!!!
Without EK and Spezz we won't have anyone in line for the Norris or Art Ross. But all things considered MacLean is a no brainer candidate for the Adams, Condra for the Selke, Goalies competeing for the Jennings, Andy for the Vezina and possibly Hart. They'll put themselves in contention if this continues!!!
Go Sens GOOOOOO!!!
Love the passion but dont get too carried away with Condra for Selke lol
I really think we should go hard at O'Reilly! I love Smitty but O'Reilly is an instant upgrade to our team up the middle. We landed the last holdout that didn't sign (Turry) so I'm hoping BM is in hard on this, I think Nonis is too however, and Bergevin as well. So I'd rather have him on our team than dealing with him likely playing with a division rival.
Got to give to get so
O'Reilly
for
Wiercioch, Smith and 2nd
I read somewhere the Avs might have asked for Silfverberg,,, Lmao yeah ok.... Deal......
If you "throw in" Duchene....
We lost points in game we have deserved this season, so it feels good to get some while we don't deserve it.
Finally, we are getting some puck luck.
Cant agree with you more SC, great homestand by the SENS, thats how you defend your HOUSE!
That road trip is brutal!
Bishop is a beast in the shootout!!
He must also be thanking his posts and crossbar this morning, 3-4 of MTL shots hit the posts!
Fuck Duchene, throw in Landeskog then we'll talk!
Seriously why should we trade Silfverberg
when he shows so much potential !
His goal against the Rangers, where he used his speed, looking at pass to Alfie,
who was covered, and then jams a great backhander like Rocket Richard !!
To me, Silfverberg will be a super star,
just like I told Karlsson he would become 3 years ago, in a Sens "Meet and Greet "
GO SENS GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now last night was bad, but at least not lopsided. However, not calling the two goalie interference against Habs then to call weak ones at end of 3rd (both Sens and Habs) THEN to call an atrocious one in OT - I mean common!
We are fighting for our points, but the fight would be easier if we weren't playing NHL clubs and Refs every night.
In the end though. F**k it! Sens Rock!!
GO SENS GO!!!!!!!!
3-3 100% in shootouts.
Quick release.
Fast skater.
Sure trade him, why not. (rolls eyes)
Yeah who cares about Duchene... Landeskog :)
In all seriousness, Ottawa is in a position of strength with any deal really.
If you feel the same, feel free to put a thumbs up on this post (no need to humiliate youreself publicly like i just did)
cardiac kids 2.0....seriousl y...shoot out...my heart was pumping out of my chest...I'M GETTING OLD KIDS!!!! I CAN'T TAKE THIS!!!!
freakin' Bishop...bit of help from some post...but that final ringer in OT from Regin even's that (bad)luck out IMO.
Silf is pretty well UNTOUCHABLE! Groom him like we did Alfie!!!
Same here on my end with EK... Was really wondering what would make BM trade A 3rd to swap 1sts for 3 SPOTS (18-15th)
So I started follwing EK immediately and soon after, kept telling everyone... Wait ; )
I'd be Royally pissed watching him turn into a superstar on another team. So I'll be content watching him turn into a superstar here : )
Would that make us "buyers"? Not anything silly of course, but I can see Murray trying to get a top4 D rental with some picks or surplus prospects.
Not sure how I feel about that really. Up until recently I've still felt we should sell off Gonchar and anyone else that won't be back. Now though I'm even wondering what it might take to get Gonchar back for another year for an actual cup run.
9-19-Perry
33-7-11
14-15-25
18-93-22
65-3
2-55
62-4
41
40
Silfverberg is starting to show that he will be Alfie's replacement. Not a flashy player but a GREAT player for years to come. He has been our best player in the last stretch and he his just starting to get his feet wet.
I also enjoy watching Zibby using the D's to let his wrist shot go, man the kid can shoot. Give him the time he needs (anotheer full season) and he will be a solid top 6 player.
I'm a huge Silfverberg fan. To me, the biggest reason is all that he took on last year being the "poster boy" and team captain and everything and he just went out and was MVP for the season and playoffs.
Kid is special and that shot is durrrrty.
You're such a teaser there EKLUND Junior
I feel you. Thought in Meth's defense he was technically guilty of tripping on the play.
I was bit disappointed that Bishop tried to flop the second time he got touched though.
I assume Lehner would have tossed the blocker and trapper and went Emery on Brust though.
Agree completely. The only thing I would consider adding is another legit top 4 D (no need for a "depth guy") or maybe a scoring winger but I doubt there'd be any available.
As for Karlsson not coming back - don't forget he IS Swedish. LOL
The salary cap may not be an issue but Melnyk's budget sure is!
Karlsson will not be back
who sits when Michalek gets back????
and do they send Zib back when spezza comes back? or keep him with the team? or play him instead of someone else??
didnt like that gallagher kid from mtl at all, he cross checked bishop and then in the shootout slashed bishop's stick after the save was made - if you see the replay Bishop is staring him down as he skates away. kid needs to be handed a lesson.
i personally think that dziurzynski has made it very very tough to be sent back.
I'd have to think Daugavins goes back to 13th forward when Michalek is back (Grant probably sent down). But MacLean will likely continue to cycle guys through. And I can't see Zibanejad going down. Dziurzynski might be the guy if everyone else is healthy and nobody gets traded - even though I like him too.
Well if the rumors are true and the Avs are interested, then I'm sure Murray has looked into it. But yeah I wouldnt do it for O'Reilly thats for sure.
If I'm Murray its Landeskog or nothing. Landy is 2yrs younger and is a star now, not to mention the youngest Captain ever in the history of the NHL and it doesnt seem to phase him one bit.
The Avs wont accept but thats the only way I would trade Silf.
If Dzuirzinski can have 2 goals in hsi time up and ZIb already with 3, and Smith's line got handled easily yesterday and was arguably our worst line
Time for the guy to sit and get the Greening treatment, might do him well, and I don't care if he is "shutting down" top lines. This is ridiculous. What is it now over 100 periods of hockey since his last goal?
Minus my post all you want but in all honesty he needs to do more than shutting down a line, because in reality its Bishop & Anderson shutting down the top lines not Smith
I'd say Grant or Dzuirzinsky (SP?) gets sent down. I mean I like these guys but they are plugs. If we lose a game a lot of people here will be calling for their heads!
It's funny with Smith. All I hear is complaining from fans but all I hear from the media and even MacLean is how great he has been. Last night wasn't a great game for sure but I still think he's key to our "win without scoring" gameplan.
Guys you have to take in consideration what happens when our injured soldiers come back, right now we are playing VERY VERY conservative, almost strictly defend first and wait for a mistake or drag it out to OT and even shootout as it seems to be our strong suit.
But when Michalek, Spezza and God willing Karlsson come back, that changes dramatically. Guys who are playing well now and reason why we win might get sent down or play less.
Its going to have an effect and I'm not so sure it overwhelmingly positive.
I guess its a good problem to have tho, like 2 stellar goalies...
What I say to this is that considering Smith has not yet started to score can only be good news as we still get the wins. This is called depth.
He will get his goals but as long as everyone's contributing, we are ok.
Murray is in a good spot. He'll be able to trade quantity for quality if he chooses.
yea totally forgot Daug.
We are better than a 500 team with the goaltending we are getting and Spezza should be back for the last 15 games.
We could be the cinderella team this year. And if we get as far as the conference final, maybe we could we get Karlsson back? I have a feeling Karlsson will be a fast healer, we all know he is not human right?.
Can you imagine a final Ottawa-Chicago?
I think JOB is a bit more versatile than Daug - but you could certainly slot him in as well. The bottom six next year could have any combination of about 12 guys really.
But yeah, he's either 13th forward or maybe JOB is 13th and Daug plays with Zibby/Condra.
That's almost a negative to the team winning lately. I bet had we dropped a bunch of games recently that Michalek would have already had surgery but he and the team are hesitant since playoffs look realistic still.
Without knowing any specifics (of course) I'd be tempted to tell him to go have surgery and be ready to kill it next year (maybe with Perry on the other wing).
I'd like to see Phillips traded before his contract is up. He has decent value and we could get something in return. I really don't want to see him play out the last year and go for nothing or even worse we re-sign him. His play is definitely declining.
except JOB has 4 out of the sens measly 48 goals this year lol
its tough to compare. daug has got hands , tricks, smarts and wheels but JOB has that energy and crash+bang to him, with finish.
i feel greening has really stepped up his game all of a sudden.
Michalek-Spezza-Silf
Regin-Turris-Alfie
Greening-Zibanejad-Condra
JOB-Smith-Neil
Ex: Dzuizinski and Daug
Dzuirzinski has definitely impressed me but it's pretty clear he's not ready to play in the NHL. He's just here to get a taste of it, he will definitely be sent back down once we get back some players.
If all our injured players get back before the end of this season, this lineup would be super strong for a long run in the playoffs !!
Karlsson and Cowen would be the only missing links !!
My preference is for Murray to sit on his hands right now until the last minute. Wait for those desperate teams needing some talented youth. It will mean a better return for the Sens in the end.
I also wouldn't want Murray to give up some of the proven talent we have in our system right now for a player like O'Reilley. As much potential as he may have, the asking price may be too high. Him holding out like this, and holding the Avalanche hostage reminds me way too much of Heatley. Really not interested in a cancerous Heatley 2.0.
Dzuirzinski has definitely impressed me but it's pretty clear he's not ready to play in the NHL. He's just here to get a taste of it, he will definitely be sent back down once we get back some players.
Can't agree with that comment. If you look at the way he has played, especially the physical aspect he brings to the table, he is an NHL player. Even coach Mac thinks he is by the number of minutes he plays and the important situations he is thrown into.
Either way the injuries that have happened, in a twisted sick kind of way, have actually benefited the Sens.
Vs Rayzor Ray and his dirty dirty Blackhawk friends!!
At least for home games we could count on Ray being late to the arena since he'd get pulled over every few minutes by the OPP.
Colorado would never make that trade.
28 other teams also want O'Reilly
Someone will overpay.
Philly ? Islanders ? Columbus ? Blues ?
Puemple
Smith
Would it work? probably not, as Puemple is too much of a question mark as any prospect is, but I think thats fair value
There's a huuuge difference between Turris and O'Reilly:
1 - Turris wanted to put in a higher/Top-6 Role, instead of being on the 4th Line.
2- O'Reilly wants More money (ORLY?)
ORLY wants more money, be paid like a top-5 player in the league (Spezza like money), doesn't produce the same numbers as top-5 guy (5-6 Mil), yet the AVs are shopping him like a Top-3 player, when he's really not.
ORLY?
Thanks, but I'm no expert! Just calculated the winning percentage of the 8th Seed for the past 10 years and averaged it out
I said 26 wins 2 weeks before the season started.
The guys on TV aren't experts either. Just a dying breed of lucky mofos who knew the right people, but not the right stuff
Andy Sutton thinks PJ Stock is an expert
Has played only 3 seasons in NHL and his
goals are 8+13+18 = 39 goals.
He is not worth more than $ 2-2.5 Million!
Plus where do you slot him? 3C? doesn't seem like he'd accept that. Do you force him or Turris to the wing? Do you trade away Turris?? Do you trade Spezza and stick ROR as #1C????
Many people said the same thing about who cares about a guy with no NHL experience, he's a cancer etc etc etc
The only people who kept defending him and praising him were the scouts and TV personalities, and these are the same people defending O'Reilly now
Umm what? Care to elaborate?
Spezza 1C
Turris 2C
I'm liking Zibby as 3C right now, and I'm sure he'll grow into a Top-2C in the future (He's still young. Even the Sedin Twins started on the 3rd line. It took them around 5 years before they were top line)
Smith as our 3C/4C
We have depth, and if we get a guy like ORLY, where are you going to put him?
1- We're not trading Spezza
2- PMac is very high on Turris, and he's working hard, and doing all the intangibles
3- Zibby and Smith are better/harder workers than ORLY.
4- Jim O'Brien is good 5C.
The only trade that makes sense is to trade away Turris — which is utter BS.
We don't need ORLY.
Given the new players this year I will gladly take a dud of a Latts and Lundin for all the pleasant surprises that Methot + Benoit + Gryba have brought to the table. VERY impressed so far!
I think you need to stop listening to Toronto radio.
and with regards to michalek, do you know if he is taking part in the off ice workout today? I heard there was a chance he practices before boston.
Problem with throwing the season away or "tanking", which ever way you do it is that we are almost half way through the season and our record is too good now to tank. We would have to be insaaaanely bad in order to finish in bottom 5. It just won't happen, even if we did trade Anderson, Gonchar, etc
It would actually be stupid to fold. That said, this idea of tanking doesn't actually exist. Even when a team trades away all their best players at the deadline, they still go out and try to win games. No GM, coach, or players actually try to loose. Not only are they highly competitive executives/coac hes/athletes, they are also fighting for jobs which pay millions of dollars
Anderson is cheap for a starting goalie. If we want to cut costs in net at that salary then we might as well fold up and move cities
As for Bishop if he keeps playing this way we will have to move him to cut costs, because why have Bishop backing up at 2 mill instead of Lehner at ELC
Can't see either team wanting to do that. Obviously Leaf fans are starting to get worried about how good the Sens really are and more importantly how good they will become.
Will they start before end of season?
If not, when will serious trade talks start? Trade deadline or when he becomes an RFA?
I can't see them extending him. I think when he becomes a true RFA (another 4 games I think) it just means his trade value goes up.
Anderson's not getting traded and neither is Lehner. And I can't see us keeping all three past this summer.
Zibanejad's play has not been that compelling in on the wing in the NHL, but he was a beast when playing the wing in WCJCH, world under 18s, and more recently his post injury stint in the AHL.
By the way I finally figured out why Zibanejad's draft stock rose so high in 2011. He did have 8 points in 4 games in the tournament, But I read that in the game against Norway he had a hat trick + 3 assists playing on a line with a less heralded center named Viktor Rask. Meaning that he has the potential to be a player that can score while creating scoring chances for himself.
Not even close to being the dominate player he should be in our current situation...
Not sure this is true. MacLean clearly likes him at center. I get that a 6th overall pick should ideally be in your top 6, but I think they might just have him penciled in as 3C right now.
See, I used to also feel that way but now I'm not so sure.
Lehner still has 1 year left on his 2-way contract. Also wouldn't hurt to keep Bishop as a security blanket.
I know it gets to a point where you're hurting Lehner's development when you're keeping him in the minors too long but Murray is not about to get in to a position where he's forced to trade Bishop. I think he'll wait till someone is desperate or package him or Lehner for a superstar
I remember before the before the Binghamton season started, Murray said that if Zibanejad were to ever get top 6 time he will have to adjust to playing as a winger, which is why I do not think the sens will be keeping Zibanejad as a 3C for the next 2-3 years while Spezza and Turris still being in the line up.
I don't think Maclean really mentioned that he likes Zibanejad as a Center better than wing, I think he was playing center just because Regin and Spezza was out. Essentially when Spezza comes back, Zibanejad is either a scratch, sent down to Bingo, or becomes a winger.
Wouldn't a long term tandem of Lehner and Bishop look good?
Every Sens player except Bishop and Regin looked hurt last night. Out of gas I think. The 2 days break will help for sure before playing the B's.
Yeah I think before the summer is over they have to decide if Lehner is the future after all. If he is then you pretty much have to move out Bishop (or Andy I guess). I just think the status quo is going to hurt Lehner too much - playing yet another year in Bingo?
Time will tell I guess.
Yeah it might for sure. But I still think with Andy having two more years left that's the ideal scenario for Lehner to transition from backup to starter by the time Anderson leaves.
But the way Anderson is playing it's tempting to picture him as our #1 for the next 5 years.
Dude he's 40!! playing a young man's game. He's not dominant anymore due to age.
He needs regular maintenance days to recoup but has played really well thus far.
That's the point that most everyone seems to be missing. Where they have him playing now, and where they envision him playing 3 years from now are two entirely different things...do you think Tyler Seguin will spend his entire career on the wing? (just one example, off the top of my head)
IF this happens we lose Lehner for sure and probably Bishop since he wont want to stay backup. Not worth it in my opinion, better to trade Andy next year, unless a major collapse happens, Andy will get us a pretty hefty package in return.
First time in over 20 years that we have
3 great goalies.
I do not think that Lehner "needs " more
development in Binghamton, next season !
He will definitely be in Ottawa as the backup goalie to Anderson, or maybe Bishop ??
Ottawa will start next season with 2 goalies and not 3, so a goalie gets traded for sure.
Murray will have to face another tough decision.
except schultz hasnt really set the oilers on fire like he was made out to. i thought his mate from anaheim Gardiner had a much bigger impact with the leafs on the other hand.
but they all pale in comparison to EK65.
Klefbom is the D to watch in Edmonton.
Really glad I have nothing to do with the decision Murray will have to make!
you know, i dont doubt the level of the oilers prospects, but their management and coaching combine to nullify them completely. Oilers need to get Lindy Ruff. This Kruger guy looks just like a bigger renney.
Then assuming Lehner is the beast we all hope he will be to trade Anderson (to the West or KHL if we can - don't want to see him back in the visitors end often) when his contract is nearly up and let Lehner step in as the full-time #1.
Go team Sweden!
should BM just solve his goalie problem and trade Bishop? or should he be selfish and trade Andy? or should he be let go a well-developed Lehner?
I think that is key...don't deal him because we have three capable goalies...deal him because there is a deal that we just can't say no to.
There really is no need to rush
Next question - what do we look for in return? Generally that is. Picks? Prospects? A proven young player?
actually, technically, BM can still plug Lehner in the AHL next year. yea it would be harsh probably, but Lehner can't do anything about it - he can't bolt to the SEL if he wants a career in the NHL. technically BM can still run with Bishop and Andy next year and make a decision next deadline.
I would ideally see any of the goalies used in a deal to get a stud forward.
And we need to get our hands on a Bruins set...
Zack Smith has a different role than Gomez which was mainly offensive. Smith plays against the other best offensive line and PMac appreciate his work and when he will start scoring goals, then they will come as bonuses.
He recently cut his hair, give him time to adjust to his lighter frame.
Anyone moving an absolute sure thing forward is going to want absolute sure thing in return.
Although, I am honestly sitting in the group that doesn't want to move any of the three...but in the sense of asset management I figure we want to get the most return, and right now, I figure that is Andy.
Again, I hope next year we have this same problem.
Agreed. Some douchebag on twitter was counting the periods and minutes since his last goal. He clearly has no clue about why the Sens are winning lately. (Not that I wouldn't love to see Smitty pot one soon.)
Speaking of hair, Alfie's viking look is getting a bit scary.
So for me if the Sens trade one guy and this should be at the draft, it should be Anderson and only because of his age and that he will fetch more in return.
That's just it. I'm sure ever GM and coach would love each player to be netting goals - but the truth is, there is a role for each player.
Lovin' the Viking look - that would be an awesome team photo if they all went a-la-Alfie!
I honestly find it very odd that we keep defending Smith's inability to score
He plays 3rd line. He has to score to keep a job
We are winning not because of Smith, but because of timely scoring and our goaltending
Without Bishop last night, Smith could have been a -4
Come one, please tell me someone ele agrees with me that a 3rd line Centre has to produce at least 10-15 goals in 82 games to be considered a good 3LC
Seriously...tha t tease has me uber refreshing...le ts go chirp!!! The ads are working
haha
I like Smith, I think he could be a great 3LC, but he needs to start producing or else in this highly competitive league someone will come along and easily replace him
Checking Centres and defensive forwards who play bottom 6 are easy to come by and are dime a dozen. Those who can do it and contribute offensively are what seperates themselves
Our best 3rd line centre of all time?
Fisher
Cullen
Kelly
White
they all contributed, Smith is not. He has to or else he will be gone
I dont buy that one bit, sure he plays them tough but the chances are still getting through and proof that he is not shutting them down is that our goalies are always the reason we are winning, meaning they are standing on their heads, meaning the opposing top line isnt being shut down by Smith.
Anyone can shadow opposing players, whats makes a great 3C is if he pitches in offensively and he has in the past, which is why people are crucial of him, he needs to score soon or will become replaceable.