Last night was a tough one for the Ottawa Senators.
After a strong performance on home ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs, they were completely embarrassed by the Vancouver Canucks. Outclassed really. Losing is one thing but to lose in such convincing fashion is just unacceptable.
And because I definitely stayed up late to watch the whole game, I am extremely disappointed with their effort.
Just by looking at the box score, it’s clear that the Canucks dominated this game from start to fini…Oh. Hang on. Hang on a minute here. WAIT JUST A DAMN MINUTE. Oh nevermind.
Anyway, the Senators will be looking to bounce back tonight against a Western Conference powerhouse in the Calgary Flames.
There are no easy games for a last place squad. Such is reality for a 31st place team that traded away all its best players and is missing others due to injury. But a back to back, in less than 24 hours, with a wee bit of jet lag and against the second best team in the league? Well that’s just rude.
And it’s not like the Senators can expect the Flames to go easy either.
Calgary is locked into a sprint to the finish in the Pacific Division. If they hang on to the Division lead, they lock up home ice through the first three rounds of the post-season and likely draw one of Arizona, Minnesota or Colorado in the first round. If the Sharks catch ’em, well then it’s the apparently unbeatable Vegas Golden Knights in round one.
I’m sure Michael Stone likes his brother and all but he and his teammates would probably like to avoid a visit in round one.
Speaking of brothers (we call that segue in the blogging biz), Matthew and Brady go HEAD2HEAD for the second time tonight. Brady won a faceoff, needlessly shoved Matthew seconds later and scored a goal the first time around. Meanwhile Matthew had a goal waved off but his team won the game.
We’ll call Round 1 a draw. Lets see who gets the upper hand tonight.
SPEAKING OF HANDS, Marc Crawford might need one putting a line up together tonight. Cody Ceci left the game with an upper body injury (I think it’s his shoulder) and Jean Gabriel Pageau has a hearing for his boarding penalty. So we’ll see who’s left. Chris Kelly can just slide into Pageau’s spot and Spartacat can fill in for Ceci if necessary.
No game day skate so the line up will remain an unsolved mystery until game time.
Craig Anderson is extremely due and is your likely starter. Puck drops an hour earlier tonight.
The game is available on TSN5, RDS, SN West or using similar concepts to those outlined in the movie Inception, can be streamed directly into your subconscious while you sleep.
Yeesh.
How bout a HEAD2HEAD table for old times sake?
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Brady | Matthew |
| Height | 6’3 | 6’2 |
| Weight | 196 lbs | 202 lbs |
| Age | 19 | 21 |
| Drafted | 4th overall | 6th overall |
| Goals | 17 | 33 |
| Assists | 20 | 41 |
| Points | 37 | 74 |
| Strengths | 1. Annoying everyone 2. Scoring goals when Keith is watching 3. Standing up for teammates |
1. Annoying Everyone 2. Scoring Goals 3. Standing up for teammates |
| Weaknesses | Standing Up | Standing Up |
