The two lowest scoring teams did not disappoint tonight. With only two goals scored, the game was relatively flat. Alexandre Picard scored in the second period off a point shot, and Daniel Alfredsson scored an empty netter to seal the game.
Senate's Notes:
Brian Lee: Played with Chris Phillips on the top pairing tonight. While many fans might only remember his giveaway early in the third period, he played a really solid game. His skating is a breath of fresh air for the Ottawa defense, extremely fluid and above average speed. He even saw some time on the power-play, but did not register any points. He appears to be regaining the poise he demonstrated last year with the Senators (which he was lacking early this year). Craig Hartsburg has stated that he is giving Brian Lee an extended shot with the Senators, so he can definitely play his way onto the team if he keeps up with tonight's effort.
Chris Neil: Invisible throughout the game except on two specific plays. He had an extended fight with Zenon Konopka, which was extremely entertaining, and he drew a penalty with some strong play around the net. Chris Neil's offensive play this season is leaving alot to be desired, but with him contributing in other ways, you can't criticize him too much yet.
Martin Gerber: A Shutout!? for Gerber!? You had better believe it! Although he really didn't have to deal with alot of great scoring chances, Gerber was solid and looked focused. Really can't critisize his game tonight as he was perfect and stopped everything thrown at him. This could be a sign of his confidence returning, or it could just be an anomaly.
Bottom Line: A pretty boring game considering all the elite talent. Both teams are struggling to score consistently and this game was in line with that. A win is a win and Ottawa needs all the can muster.
9 comments:
Man, is this team really the sens? It's just such f---ing boring hockey. Hard to believe the sens have allowed the 3rd fewest goals in the league. The two teams who have allowed less however, have both scored about 40 goals more. Yes, 40. Anyway, yeah they won, and Gerbs played well (looks like a solid tandem now), Lee, Picard Zubov (even though he barely played) all played well. I am a big fan of the 3, but I would like to see them move Spez for Brassard and Filatov. Maybe the sens would have to sweeten it a bit, but columbus is pretty desperate, and would probably have a hard-on for a Spez-Nash combo.
I would not be in favour of trading Spezza. I am never really a fan of giving up the best player in a trade. I think that continuing to develop talent and drafting well will turn this situation around. It's boring hockey, but we have some players down the pipe that might turn things around.
Filatov and Brassard for Spezza? Uh... where do we sign?
I'm all for developing drafting well and developing talent as well. The key is that the talent has to develop, not regress. And if you can get more talent (Brassard and Filatov) who make much less money, do it. Unless, of course, you're nuts.
Who are these players coming up the pipe who are going to turn it around, exactly? Tavares and Hedman? I'm all for that.
Aside from the fact that the trade would never happen, the players coming up the pipe include Wiercioch, Karlsson, Zubov, Regin, Smith and Lee.
This team does not need to be totally destructed, it just needs a few pieces to the puzzle.
As far as Filatov is concerned, Ottawa has had really bad luck getting our Russian prospects to come over to Canada and stick it out for a few years. I doubt Ottawa would be willing to risk it again unless he was already playing In NA, signed to a contract and there was some kind of transfer agreement in place between the NHL and KHL. I am not all that familiar with his status, contract desires and stance on the KHL so thats just an oppinion.
I really don't think those two prospects are on the table, and I would prefer to stick with Spezza who is signed to a reasonable contract for a great term, wants to play in Ottawa, and has a proven track record of putting up big numbers.
I agree, those guys probably are not on the table. If they were, BM would've done it the moment they suggested it. I agree that some of the names mentioned above will be great NHL players, Karlsson, Wiercioch, Regin are nowhere near NHL ready. Lee and Zubov look pretty good, but these guys are not going to be major impact players. Of all the prospects you mentioned, none of them have top 3 potential, but I believe Karlsson may have top pairing potential. After he puts on 30 pounds. When the "few pieces" you need to add are 2 puck-moving defenceman and 2 top 6 forwards and you're close to the cap with barely any tradeable assets, that, my friend, is not simply tweaking things. That's a pretty major rebuild.
Lee has some upside and is still young. Don't forget he went 9th overall I believe. But yes he will most likely be a number 3-4 defender.
I think you would be surprised how much of an impact only adding two players to the roster from outside could have. A proven top 2 defenceman and a proven top 6 forward.
I do generally believe that if we acquired the right pieces to the puzzle, it would eliminate having to bring in too any players, and maybe some of our players internally would find better chemistry and get back on track.
but you are correct, currently we are missing 1 and 2 defense and two top 6 forwards. However, were we able to get a solid number 1 defender and a solid top 6, you would see drastic improvement in the team.
I agree totally. 1 real top six and one top pairing puck-mover could completely turn this club around IMO, and make it competitive. But I feel to be a cup contender, we have quite a long way to go. I do think a real top 6 forward could also help get vermette and maybe fisher back on track. I would prefer the sens win the cup in 3 years than make the playoffs each of the next 20.
I agree, I would rather have a good cup in run a a few years than sacrifice that for 3 years of mediocre playoff appearances.
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