QUICK THOUGHTS
-Despite the end result, this was probably as good as the Ottawa Senators have looked all season. If not for the last five minutes, we would all be talking about how the Sens had easily handled one of the better teams in the West. Frustrating to lose a game the way they did but there was a whole lot to like about this game
-I hate to blame the referees for a loss. Wait, maybe that’s not true. It’s more that I hate that I ever have to blame to referees for a loss. With the Senators up 3-2 in the third period and pressing, the refs put their whistles away. I counted 5 or 6 clear penalty calls that went uncalled. Officials knew the way the Senators power play looked, another call would put the game out of reach. Yes, it went both ways as the Senators got away with a couple calls late. Fact is, if the referees continued to do their job, Ottawa would have won that hockey game.
-Small sample size obviously but there did appear to be some chemistry between Jason Spezza and Mark Stone during their 5 on 5 shifts together. They connected for a couple solid scoring chances and seemed to be finding each other all over the ice. If those two can click along with Colin Greening, the Senators suddenly have three pretty dangerous lines.
-Paul MacLean will have a decision to make when Chris Neil is ready to return to the line up. Jean Gabriel Pageau has not been used on the wing at all this season and with the other four centre spots booked up, it would appear he ends up being the guy sent back to Binghamton. We shall see.
-Mentioned this on Twitter and in yesterday’s comment section but a good source informed me yesterday that Pierre Dorion would NOT be going with Tim Murray to Buffalo. Good news for the Senators as losing Dorion would be a huge blow to the organization. There is apparently a chance that pro scout Rob Murphy joins Tim in Buffalo though.
