Tonight marks the third and final meeting between the Senators and Islanders this season. Their last meeting came back on March 3rd when the Islanders edged Ottawa in the shootout, 3-2. Long Island has played well as of late, registering a 5-3-2 record in their past ten, including back to back road wins over the Lightning and Panthers.
MacLean will make one change to his line up tonight and it comes in goal.
Despite a strong performance by Lehner on Sunday against the Jets, Ben Bishop will get the nod against the Isles. It can obviously change from game to game but you’d have to think Robin Lehner returns to the crease on Thursday against the Bruins. Evgeni Nabokov gets the start for the Islanders.
Kaspars Daugavins is the odd man out up front. Here is how the Senators lined up at the morning skate.
Latendresse-Smith-Alfredsson
Greening-Turris-Silfverberg
Condra-Zibanejad-Neil
Kassian-Regin-O’Brien
Methot-Gryba
Wiercioch-Gonchar
Phillips-Benoit
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!
- Yesterday Senators forward Kyle Turris was named the NHL’s Second Star after an impressive week that included four goals and two assists for six points in four games this passed week. This team is a lot more dangerous offensively when Turris is playing well.
- One interesting to name to consider on the trade market could be Stars forward Jaromir Jagr. While the Stars are still in the hunt for a playoff spot in the West, his combination of offensive ability and expiring contract would likely be worth consideration. You'd have to think a few teams line up if the Stars decide to move him.
- As I suggested on Twitter yesterday, some bad news for forward Milan Michalek. He had surgery on his injured knee today and there is no set timetable for his return. The Senators remain hopeful he could return in time for the playoffs.
Go Sens Go.
Scratch Regin and leave Daug in there put JO at 4C.
I'm gonna go with SENS 3-2 reg win, gunnin for my 6th correct prediction!!
Impressive
Regin seems to be a guy that can't handle the pressure of being placed in a top 6 role. Every time he plays limited minutes and is given a specific role as he has been given now, faceoff specialist, he plays better. Would not be surprised to see him moved at the deadline for a low draft pick (6th or 7th).
On a powerplay Alfie will hammer a one-timer off the post so hard that the puck will blast through a television camera and into Tookies living room hitting him in the head so hard, that it will cause permanent "brain damage". And from that day forward he will go through life as a positive thinking person who never bashes his favorite hockey team again.
Now that would be a dream come true!
Just kidding around Tookie, without you the universe would probably become unbalanced and we'd all get sucked into a black hole. Lol
Oh yea, and Sens win 4-2!
GO SENS GO!!!!
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=418575
I do think they will re-sign him. He may not be healthy at the moment but he is a competitor and seems happy to be a Senator. I'd give him a 3 or 4 year deal at the same money he is making now.
Who does everybody think Murray pick up for the top six?
Also if Murray were to trade Bishop to New Jersey who would like Murray get back in return for Bishop from New Jersey?
The reason for my inquiry should be (ahem)...obviou s.
I think it depends on three things - how he recovers from this current injury next season, how the young wingers continue to develop and Alfredsson.
I had initially thought he could have been used as trade bait to upgrade that position but that's unlikely now.
My instinct would be that they would offer him another deal at around 4 years/16 million, but i wouldn't be completely surprised to see him traded either in the summer or at next year's deadline.
He hasn't played for over an month.
I am sure Anderson's up in the air health status is holding up any moves Murray is considering.
Hard to trade Bishop when we don't know when Andy's coming back.
He is not, and he is disappointed about not playing his old team:
Ian Mendes @ian_mendes
Carkner said he's disappointed to not face Sens this year. He joked: "I'd love to take some liberties on some guys over there."
TSN reported that the Sens are interested in Jagr. boooooo
Holy crap I've found a bigger homer for Perry in ZachPraiseTheSw edes than myself lmao! I even felt bad for you and gave you a thumbs up everywhere I could. But you just had too many negatives!
Honestly, I thought Rick Nash would've looked good playing alongside Spezza. Fast forward 8 months later and I asked myself how time passed so fast, that Corey Perry was made somewhat available. Now we know it had nothing to do with playing next to home and that money will always prevail.
So here we are a half day later and Perry has now signed a lucrative deal to keep him there until he's 36. Think it was a sign and trade type of deal? Because if so, at the cost of Zibanejad, Silfverberg, Noesen, Puempel, 1st rounders and goalies, from this day forward, Anaheim peut se faire enculer. Let's move on. We'll tear this thing apart very soon!
Michalek out for knee surgery yet again. Fuck that poor guy can't catch a break. The only question I have is that, will he have problems again in the future even if he repairs it now? Cause this is just fucked now. This is not the first surgery he has/ will have since being traded to us.
We acquire Kassian
Turris breaks his slump
Sens start scoring goals
Sens winning games
Kassian is MVP of March!!
Yes.
Yes.
Bobby Ryan.
Zubrus.
I think it has more to do with Lats coming back and smith moving up to the top line.
That let the other guys move down a slot. Less pressure, more space.
lol I agree I should have tagged my first with #sarcasm
I argued the trade on here for 2 days saying we dont need a goon lol
Hey - give some credit to my new favourite - Big Butt Latendresse
Great player, brings an element of speed, but seems pretty damaged to me... I'd trade him in the summer or at the next deadline as a rental (if he's healthy).
E
If we want to trade him cause he is damaged goods, then he is of mroe value to us than in a trade
Why trade him for 60 cents on the dollar when we can keep him and when he does play is worth at least 90 cents
This means Michalek is done
Where did TSN "report" this? Just curious.
It would be awesome but:
- Alot of teams will be in line-up for Jagr if Dallas are out.
- It will take at least a 2nd round pick+ a prospect
Has to increase his value of course. Capgeek has him as RFA now and I think that's pretty reliable. Haven't counted up the games myself but I think once Anderson went down it pretty much guaranteed that Bishop would be RFA by year's end.
ryan and zubrus in a sens uniform would be just too sweet.
on a side note, Chirp thanks for this new forum format. it makes it very simple to participate in your blogs.
Possible dance partner for Kassian...if it comes down to it at any point in the game. Watch for those 2 guys to be giving the stink-eye to eachother.
Just doing their job.
Aside from that sideshow...I really think an early goal by the Sens could be really key in this game. They are scoring more lately, so an early one will get their heads in the zone they need to be.
Can't write off Isles in any way though. They are fighting for a playoff spot and have won 2 in a row.
I think we should see a better game then usual between these 2 teams.
Saddle up!
When Ottawa signed Spezza and Heatley at 7 and 7.5 for 7 years, it didn't seem too bad did it? Now 6 years later, very comparable players (some would argue even better) sign contracts that essentially are identical.
Their contracts are about a million per year more then Spezzas and Heatleys. That's less then a 200K per year increase in 6 years. That's very reasonable.
Salaries will always be on the rise. Christ, Parise is making 12 million a year. So I'd say 8 is very respectable
Looking forward to the game tonight, Go Sens Go!!
The deal includes a full "No-Move" clause.
Cmon readers, what's on your mind?
heatley's contract is hyper-inflated. once his final year is out, i'll be very surprised if a team ever picks him up for anything more than a 1 mill/yr.
And here's hoping we see the same Sens come out to play tonight that we saw the last game. A full 60 mins, running a strong 4 lines. The Isles have always played hard against Ottawa. Should be a good game as usual.
Go Sens!!!
I think that PMac wants Lenher to be mad at not playing tonight so he can blank the Bruins on Thursday.
Seriously, both goalies deserves to be playing. Not many teams have this luxury.
SENS 4 - 1
Yeah guys - don't make me do two in a row.
LOL
Heatley was fresh off two 50 goal seasons. Definitely not inflated. He's not worth that now but he for sure was at the time
I think the team and Michalek thought there was a good chance he could "play through it" and also didn't expect the team to be able to keep winning like it did. On paper it seemed like MM9 at 75% would greatly improve our lineup.
Hindsight is 20/20 of course but hard to fault the player for trying to help keep us competitive while Spezza is out.
Maybe something about melnyk and all this budget talk us sens fans have to sweat about every year?
It seems odd yes. I suspect that he was told there was minimal to zero chance that he can make the situation with his knee worse than it is and I'm sure there was some optimism that he could play it out without too much pain. With all the other injuries on the team and at that time the team was having a real hard time scoring so it was a risk worth taking. Also I find ever since Michalek did play those couple games it did give the team a much needed confidence boost offensively and the team hasn't looked back since even though he is gone.
Leafs have not won a game.
LOL
Suck it Phaneuf.
fair enough, after two 50 goal campaigns he was worth alot. but how much of that was due to playing with spezza and alfie? heatley never even came close to that kind of point production with either san jose or the wild.
again, hindsight is 20/20.
Isles are playing pretty well. They have some good young talent...
As for trade deadline acquisitions.. the Blue Jackets blogger on HB said that Brassard is on the block. (How true that is.. well we don't know.)
Now you know how Murray likes reclamation projects.. and we have been advised in rumours how much the Jackets GM likes Bishop.
So could you possibly see a trade between CLB and Ott that involves Bishop + a good prospect for Brassard?
Murray likes young players.. he would sooner do a trade like that -- than a trade for Jagr.
When the Sens are legit Cup contenders and with a heathly team.. that's when you do trades for rentals.. It would surprise me if Murray did that.
He's been living there I think before he owned the Sens...
Thanks - that's good to know.
The wife made away with half of his $$$, doesnt she know that $$$ is for the Sens...damn her!
I'm all for getting Brassard for Bishop +. What do you think the + would be?
Prince, Pageau? Da Costa, Petersen?
Any news on the Matt Read rumor?
No but he did with Atlanta...
With the way bobvroski has been playing of late why get Bishop?
Hadn't heard that one yet. From Elliotte Friedman?
Haha, I'm not going fall into your vortex of negativity about something I may have said a week ago. And if you read my whole comment you would see that I still agree with the choice of Michalek deciding to play and trying to tough it out. I don't recall what I said last week about Michalek, sorry if it affected you that much buddy. Again please don't drag this on 'cause I will not respond.
Brassard to Ottawa rumours are pretty regular. Especially as Brassard is a local boy and has just bought a house in Ottawa.
Brassard wouldn't be any more than a 3C in Ottawa, I'm not sure you want to pay over 3 million a year for a 3C who doesn't get close to playing a physical game.
If we are looking to get a C out of Columbus, I would prefer we try to get Johansen who is a real reclamation prospect and probably wouldn't cost as much.
Dont need the money when we have the Murrays!
Laffs have proven many times $$$ do not get you into the playoffs... but then again one can always dream!
Wow Read...that would be very interesting, hard to see Philly letting him go tho?
True enough but when was the last time a cap strapped team won the Cup? Seriously I dont know.
Carolina Hurricanes
Tampa Bay Lightning
New Jersey Devils
all have won before 1967
Lol! I won last year and never got a prize
Oh sorry! For some reason I thought he did give out a prize for the winner last year, my mistake
I think he meant to, but it never happened... but having him hosting this blog is prize enough, right?
SURE IS!
GO SENS GO!
The Sens are in 5th place in the east with the 4th most pts (36), yet Bruce "I know nothing" Garrioch says in his article:
Quoting Bruce Dumbass Garrioch:
www.ottawasun.com/2013/03/18/sens-gm-bryan-murray-says-moving-players-by-trade-deadline-going-to-be-difficult
A nice flashback.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYmnjnOjcqo
PMac knows best!
Backup, maybe? Or if Bobvroski has an off-season.. someone reliable to play.
Also the Jackets GM drafted him and he is high on Bishop... at least that is the rumour.
In light of the trade deadline coming up.. there is a lot of chatter whether we should trade or not .. add pieces.. remove pieces...etc etc.. there is a wealth of information on how people would think they can improve this team would create a great discussion i would think. i volunteer hax :)
I wonder if you're aware that saying something like that just makes you come across as a dick, because it certainly doesn't add any credibility to you...
Also when you say 6th correct prediction, do you mean correct at guessing the winning team? or the winning team and the final score because I highly doubt it's the latter.
Just my two cents.
Tookie's a rich man.
Got all his money betting on NFL and NHL games.
How else could he be able to spend 8 or 9 hours a day being a bozo on the Internet ?
Yes, was being mentioned on HF.
Honestly, CBJ is the one looking to unload Brassard. And we would be trading from a point of power. In NO WAY should BM even consider a +, if anything it's a straight 1 to 1, if they really want Bishop that bad. Or they add the + to Brassard for us taking him off there hands. Simple.
Murray should also consider Bingo going on another Calder Cup run & if Anderson returns for the playoffs Bishop can be his backup & Lehner can carry Bingo to another Calder Cup. That would be a very good scenario for both organizations & then move Bishop at the draft. I would use Bishop & our first to move up to get Monahan, even add Puempel, if it's required.
This is just silly. We have three great goalies. Easy to trade Bishop when Lehner can pick up the slack indefinitely.
It's our BACKUP that'd I'd be worried about, but then again, backups are a dime a dozen (ie. Auld, McIllhenny etc)
Born Oct, 28th 1986 (26 yrs old).
Matt C : 6'4" 227lbs. Drafted 58th, 1999.
Born Nov. 3rd 1980 (32 yrs old).
Strange but true. Is Matt K a Matt C 2.0?
Just cheaper, younger and a forward instead. Lets hope he does as well for us as Matt C did. We did need this, way to go BM.
Hire Julie Robenhymer to write about Ottawa's NCAA prospects.
I think Carkner is a better defenseman than Kassian is a forward. It was definitely less onerous giving a roster spot to Carkner than having Kassian play now.
It was a mistake for Ottawa to let Carkner go but that is water under the bridge. Kassian is a good addition considering the situation.
Silly? Then let me ask you something: If we trade Bishop and Lehner struggles, what's plan B? Alex Auld?
Brassard would be a great pick up and should be a straight swap for Bishop
Suck it Phaneuf
An oversight on my part. I know there were two leagues but I can't recall if the other winner received a prize either.
It's not going to be a new car but send me an email at senschirp
His puck skills are so friggin elite, his shot is ridiculous and the way he creates space for himself is amazing.
Love this guy
Icysurfas from the Big Rig. GSG!
Except silf cares about the team.
Yeah...hes gotta have that. Its ok though, we let in a weak one and our team enforcer scored. All even.
Well come out strong in the 2nd.
I swear 90% of his goals against are thru his legs. Hasn't seemed to improve in that area.
in his defense, the ice is like 5 feet away from his knees.
justin tv
And he wonders why he's in Mac's doghouse
In the blue jerseys?
Team doesnt have the same confidence in front of Bishop as they do in front of Lehner...Honest ly, I don't blame em..
cant find it. Link me please?
At 5th your most likely looking at Boston. At 6th, probably any of the Southeast teams i.e. Carolina/Jets
not able to copy paste with touchscreen but on the sports page look for sabres jersey (tobi something)
Pathetic reffing. Call it both ways!
5 Sens penalties to the Islanders 1 LOL
Wow... They will probably get another 5 in the final period and Sens will get a PP with probably 1 minute left down 3-1.
somewhat agree but boston will likely win the division however we shouldnt be hoping we drop in standings so we face weaker competition, not the attitude i would like the team nor the fans to have.
If he is out long term... that is the final injury that could really do damage to this team in way of winning games.
He plays top minutes and no one can be brought in to fill that role from Binghamton and I don't have confidence in Lundin...
This could the final straw that breaks the Sens...
The hockey gods hate this team this year.. There is no other explanation for the long term injuries to the teams top players... and every injury is to their top players... it's unbelievable..
Efffffffffff
agree however as long as anderson comes back soon or we keep running with lehner. i still have enough confidence in this team to do some damage.
#Sens defenceman Marc Methot has a lower body injury and will not return to tonight's game.
Or will we somehow continue to roll...or have we done well enough that we can still squeak into the playoffs?
depend is he out for the game or long term
you dont want to give to much for someone unless this someone is able to fit with karlson cowen and methot next year and ceci in the near future.
I dont want to overpay for a rental and any GM dealing with us is going to ask for a lot more than if our team was healty.
Absolutely agreed. It was just an observation
I don't know how this team can keep going if Methot is out long term.
You now have 6 top players out of your lineup with long term injuries.
I missed the play on the Methot injury.. but they say the ice is bad.. maybe he got caught in a rut..
This is a nightmare of a season when it comes to injuries...
GO SENS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOO
really playing for a new contract
We'll win this
Anyone asks you what Ottawas seasons been like show them a clip of Wiercioch getting hurt while scoring
What's crazy is that opposing teams had to worry about just Karl... and without him they now have to worry about Wiercoch, Gonch, and Benoit.
Teams are starting to notice that on any given night, the Ottawa Senators are a huge threat injured or healthy.
ohhh found it thx so much! i hate watching other announcers lol!
Anything is better than Denis Potvin's awkward silent moments after stupid comments.
Didn't get your sugar fix tonight Took? You're sounding extra grumpy...
He's all about admitting how bad he is...That's not saying much...
I'm always amazed at how many people bash Potvin. Same deal with Murray Wilson.
Come on leave him alone. We both know he won't have a career in the NHL after this season anyway!
3 Frederik Claesson
5 Mark Borowiecki
6 Chris Wideman
8 Danny New
13 Brett Lebda
29 Tyler Eckford
44 Ben Blood
There's nothing there to bring up...
He's playing like how he was pre-Karl/Sens.
i think we are watching chemistry in the making Zilferjadberg
Lebda has played in the NHL. He'd do in a pinch. No excuses. Let's keep winning :)
Congrats to Alfie on his 1,100 point. PRAISE ALFIE..
Gonchar 1 goal & 2 assists.. he is going to be very relied upon in the next little while..
*checks boxscore*
6 to 1 PP advantage..okay
Wow.. just think if Cowen & Karlsson were in the lineup.. Weircioch would still be in Bingo...
Gonchar leads the team with 20 points.
Yes. It is true.
Question guys... do you think Murray would sign him for 2 more years?
These young players are not only having Alfie playing like he is 30.. but it's doing a lot for Gonchar as well..
This team is truly unbelievable.
he is definitely earning a new contract however i wonder if he is just playing this well because he knows he has to try cashing in for 1 more contract for retirement.
if it was my choice id do my best to resign him for 4mill at most.
is this 2013 or 2003
And regarding making some crazy trades at the trade deadline, like the saying goes if it ain't broken don't fix it. Well right now the Sens aren't broken!!!
I truly disagree, Gonchar is 38yrs old and is in the last year of his contract. His value is higher than it has been in years and to think that he will replicate these stats next year is overly optimistic IMO.
If we could trade him for someone who can come right into our lineup and be an asset for this year and years to come then we should consider it.
after this year there should be an annual Pmac night. hand all the fans fakes mustache mask like this:
http://www.carbonpoker.ag/blog/wp-content/uploads/groucho.jpg
You'll be hard pressed to find someone of equal value than Gonchar without having to give up something in return. People keep talking about being a cup contender, I'll tell you one thing, if I was another team I would be scared shitless about meeting the Sens in the 1st round of the playoffs. This team has battled back how times when being down by two goals. If I were Murray i wouldn't make any changes to the lineup, just wait until Spezza, Anderson and Michalek are back in the lineup and let's just not count out Karlsson just yet, if the Sens are around come early May you never know if karlsson could be back or not!
With Methot now out for god knows how long.
They need his experience.. and we can always dream that he brings Malkin over.. LOL -- it's called a dream world...
That's not true at all, an offensive puck moving defensemen has a much higher value than a forward.
NJ, Rangers, Leafs & Winnipeg all have 32 pts...
Yes but 9th place NJ is also tied with 6th place Leafs, Rangers, Canes, and Jets.
That is gonna be interesting. Will pretty much be a carousel until probably final regular season game. Of course I'm hoping the Leafs are the ones to luck out and drop...
Alfie's over 40.. and playing with a lot of jump... just like Gonchar.. It's obvious with Gonchar he still has his skills.. nothing wrong with keeping him... based on his salary of course..
jets can take first crack at spinning the carousel by taking atleast a point in boston tonight.
i think the leafs will be in tough if NYR starts winning and if jets continue their new pace.
Different situation with Alfie though, he's the franchise player that has been there his entire career.
Gonchar has played great the last 10 games or so but people were complaining at the beginning of the year.
All i'm saying is that if we can shop him around and get a good return we should do it because I don't think he will maintain this level of productivity in the long run.
Now we should resign him for not one but two years?
Good grief!
IMO, he served his purpose last year by tutoring Karlsson, this year he's been tutoring Wire while putting up impressive numbers. I just don't see keeping him around beyond this year for a couple reasons.