Last night against the Florida Panthers was certainly the most Senators’ most disappointing performance of this season and is right up there with worst games the team has played under Paul MacLean.
It may seem strange to say that in a 3-2 loss but it wasn’t just that they lost the game but the way they lost it. Outplayed from puck drop, zero pushback at any point during the sixty minutes and a complete lack of focus and structure from every skater on the roster. After an impressive win against St. Louis, MacLean gave his team a couple easy days in Florida and they responded with an absolute stinker. That’s the kind of thing that will infuriate a Coaching staff and probably cost the players a few off days in the future.
The good news is the Sens get to (or have to) put that game behind them in an awful hurry as they visit one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 15-6-2 through 23 games this season and sit just a point back of the Montreal Canadiens for top spot in the East. They’ve also been one of the best teams in the league on home ice, posting a 9-2-1 record as the host. If the Senators play like they did last night they’ll get run out of the rink by Stamkos and the Lightning.
For the first time this season, Paul MacLean sounded noticeably frustrated in his post-game address and seemed just as angry today. He’s openly questioning the team’s preparation and leadership which should be enough to get the attention of every player in the locker room. If it doesn’t and the Senators don’t respond with a better effort, then you’d have to think Bryan Murray and the Management group start to consider changes.
For the second time in a week, MacLean will sit one of the usually reliable veterans as Zack Smith takes a turn in the pressbox. Colin Greening draws back into the lineup. Bobby Ryan will miss this game and probably a lot more with a finger fracture. Team Doctors want to wait for the swelling to go down before they discuss timelines but it does sound like there’s a good chance Ryan will be unavailable for an extended period of time. Mark Borowiecki will miss another game due to injury.
Seemed to be some confusion about line combinations at the morning skate. Zibanejad spent some time in Ryan’s spot but now that we know Smith is coming out, I would assume Mika goes back to centre. With Greening drawing in, you would assume he plays the LW and Condra shifts back to his natural right wing. With all that in mind, a guess at tonight’s line combinations to start the game anyway.
MacArthur-Turris-Chiasson
Hoffman-Zibanejad-Stone
Michalek-Lazar-Condra
Greening-Legwand-Neil
Phillips-Karlsson
Cowen-Ceci
Wiercioch-Gryba
Robin Lehner gets the start in the Ottawa goal. Special milestone for Senators forward David Legwand as he plays his 1000th game in the National Hockey League.
