Primary Sidebar
Northeast Standings
Senators Schedule
Next 5 Games
@
Calgary
|
Thu 03/11 | 9:30 PM EST |
|
@
Vancouver
|
Sat 03/13 | 10:00 PM EST |
|
Toronto
|
Tue 03/16 | 7:30 PM EDT |
|
@
Atlanta
|
Thu 03/18 | 7:00 PM EDT |
|
@
Dallas
|
Sat 03/20 | 2:00 PM EDT |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Edmonton
|
Tue 03/09 | W 4 - 1 |
|
Toronto
|
Sat 03/06 | SO - L 1 - 2 |
|
@
Carolina
|
Thu 03/04 | L 1 - 4 |
|
New York Rangers
|
Tue 03/02 | L 1 - 4 |
|
@
New York Islanders
|
Sun 02/14 | W 4 - 3 |
What does the new "blindside hit rule" mean for the Senators?
by PeterR on Mar 11, 2010 7:00 AM EST
0 comments
On Wednesday, a group of NHL GMs finally came up with some sort of rule against headshots in the league, which they'll bring forward to the league's competition committee for final approval--apparently almost a technicality, given the support a rule against headshots has received from the members of the committee. The new rule, from SBN/NHL, has been phrased more to target blindside hits to the head:
"A lateral, back pressure or blindside hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or is the principal point of contact is not permitted. A violation of the above will result in a minor or major penalty and shall be reviewed for possible supplemental discipline."
So, what does this new rule mean for the Ottawa Senators? Well, first and foremost, it means our skilled players won't have to deal with vicious blindside hits, like this one from a few years back, when Daniel Alfredsson was hammered by Mark Bell after he put the puck on net. But it also means a couple of our players who walk the fine line between legal and not will have a new alignment to walk.
The Sens have two players who will have to take heed to this new 'blindside hit rule': Jarkko Ruutu and Chris Neil. Although the Sens fan in me puts these players on a level higher than players like Matt Cooke, whose hit on Marc Savard really gave this rule what it needed to get going, the realist in me acknowledges that both of these players have, in the recent past, thrown bodychecks that would be illegal under that new rule.
(Read more... )
0 comments | 0 recs |
Silver Nuggets: Oilers fans give stats analysis
by DarrenM on Mar 10, 2010 11:53 AM EST
in Silver Nuggets
10 comments
Hi everybody! Here are some Ottawa Senators stories for you to check out today:
- Bruce McCurdy looks at just how dominant the Ottawa Senators were last night against the Edmonton Oilers. How about this: Ottawa had 40 offensive zone face offs, Edmonton had just 12. (Copper & Blue)
- Derek Zona shows that it's not all rosy, though. He crunches a few other numbers to show how it really makes no sense that the Senators have been so successful given some of the team's mediocre statistics. (Copper & Blue)
- Brandon Worley takes a quick look at the goaltending carousel in Ottawa. (Pro Hockey Talk)
- The Citizen looks at the goaltending controversy and Clouston's decision to play Elliott because he has better numbers, despite Leclaire coming off a great game. Then, in traditional Ottawa newspaper fashion, it closes with a wistful mention of "the real goalie of the future, Swede Robin Lehner." (Citizen)
- Speaking of Lehner, I can't remember if we posted this already but here's a month old interview with him that is a good read. (GM Hockey)
- Wyshynski points out that Ryan Whitney should have gotten at least a double-minor for cross checking Chris Neil in the face last night. (Puck Daddy)
10 comments | 0 recs |
Senators remember how to win, beat Oilers 4-1
by DarrenM on Mar 10, 2010 12:31 AM EST
in Senators recaps
56 comments
The first period was dominated by Ottawa, but they were unable to take advantage of it because A) the powerplay was useless despite four chances (including a half-minute of 5-on-3), and B) goalie Jeff Deslauriers was on top of his game. The highlight of the period, though, was probably Brian Elliott stopping Mike Comrie on a penalty shot near the end of the period. A goal would have swung the momentum in Edmonton's favour, but Elliott didn't let it happen.
The second period, however, started with an Edmonton goal by Fernando Pisani in the first 5 minutes. The Ottawa Senators then took control of the game and near the end of the period Chris Kelly sniped one into the back of the twine -- except by "sniped" I mean shot from an impossible angle and got a fluke bounce.
That opened up the dam for the third period, so to speak, as the Senators managed to put three more past Deslauriers, including power play goals from Milan Michalek and Matt Cullen. Mike Fisher had the other goal for the Sens.
56 comments | 0 recs |
Game 67: Ottawa Senators @ Edmonton Oilers
by DarrenM on Mar 9, 2010 7:30 PM EST
491 comments
The Senators start their road trip to Western Canada with a game against the cellar dwelling Edmonton Oilers. The Sens have not won a game since the Olympic break, so this seems like a good opportunity for the Senators to get back into a winning groove. Despite Edmonton's record and their long list of injuries, it won't be a cakewalk: Edmonton is currently riding a two-game winning streak which includes a win on Sunday against the New Jersey Devils.
Brian Elliott gets the start in net tonight, while Peter Regin and Daniel Alfredsson return to action after missing last game with the flu. Shean Donovan will sit out of tonight's game, with the lines looking something like this:
Regin-Fisher-Kovalev
Kelly-Cullen-Neil
Ruutu-Winchester-Shannon
491 comments | 0 recs
Ottawa Senators Seasons In Review (1992-1993)
by Crooklyn Banks on Mar 9, 2010 3:36 PM EST
4 comments
So yeah, I see everybody posting long articles about this teams past and I thought to myself, how can I do the same without showing my large lack of Hockey knowledge? So here it is, a look into the past of the Sens (this Sens, not the very successful Sens that won a Stanley Cup, God damn Ducks), starting from our worst season.
4 comments | 0 recs
Silver Nuggets: Elliott to start, playoff clinch watch
by PeterR on Mar 9, 2010 12:01 PM EST
in Silver Nuggets
13 comments
- Looks like Brian Elliott gets the start tonight. Jesse Winchester also will be in the lineup, with Shean Donovan sitting out. (Sens)
- Even if we have concerns over Leclaire's physical state, at least he seems to be in the right mental state judging by his responses to questions from the media. (Sun)
- The prediction panel is largely calling Ottawa over Edmonton tonight, with one exception: Milks from Black Aces thinks the Oilers will get the win. (Citizen)
- A few Senators spoke out about headshots, particularly Matt Cooke's hit on Marc Savard, condemning the hits. (Citizen)
13 comments | 0 recs |
Justin Goldman on the current state of Senators goaltending
by DarrenM on Mar 9, 2010 7:00 AM EST
9 comments
The hottest topic in Ottawa these days (as it has been for years) is the Ottawa Senators' goaltender situation, particularly with the playoffs quickly approaching. I was going to write a lengthy feature on the current state of Ottawa Senators netminding, but then I remembered that great maxim: can't someone else do it?
With that in mind, I managed to get the great goalkeeping mind of Justin Goldman to answer some questions for us. Justin is the founder of great netminder resource The Goalie Guild and a scout for McKeen's. It's a very lengthy write-up, but I encourage you to read through it all, because you won't find a more in-depth analysis of Ottawa Senators goaltending anywhere on the web or in print. Justin gives us his thoughts on Pascal Leclaire, Brian Elliott, Mike Brodeur, Robin Lehner, and much, much more. Enjoy!
Why has Pascal Leclaire underachieved in Ottawa so far? Is it attributable to his injury history, or is he simply not as good as his draft spot and 9 shutout season suggested he was?
Aside from the injuries and bouts with the flu, Leclaire hasn’t lived up to expectations this season because of his inability to play with enough consistency in his limited chances. Not once has he won more than two games in a row all season long. Whether it was due to being sick, rehabbing or failing to win three in a row, Leclaire hasn’t created enough momentum or confidence in his game in order to own the crease. And without consistent starts, he has been unable to get into a good goaltending rhythm.
Trying to determine where Leclaire’s current value ranks related to his draft spot is futile because NHL goalies are drafted in every round and many more are undrafted. One of the most interesting yet difficult aspects of scouting goaltenders is that their rate of development is not only unique to the individual goalie, but it’s also constantly changing. Goalies can develop really fast for a few months and then not at all for a few years, or it could be the complete opposite or anywhere in between. It all just depends on their situation and their day-to-day results.
So where a goalie is drafted does not really matter when it comes to success. But for argument’s sake, I would say that Leclaire has failed to live up to his high draft spot. It’s not his fault though – injuries are just a part of being human. It’s a risk all teams and players take. I would also say that he should have never been drafted that soon in the first place, but that’s another story.
9 comments | 0 recs |
Senators sign Brian Lee (!!) to two year contract
by DarrenM on Mar 8, 2010 1:52 PM EST
28 comments
While everyone was holding their breath to see if Anton Volchenkov will be signed to an extension by the Ottawa Senators, Bryan Murray decided to hand out a deal to another blueliner: Brian Lee. I didn't see it coming either, and I'm sure fellow writer Mark Parisi is even more shocked.
Mark's take: Holy crap!
Lee has been signed to a two-year contract, but there are no details as to whether it's a one-way or two-way deal. He split time between the AHL and NHL this season, playing 18 games with the big club. He was scheduled to be an RFA at the end of the year.
The signing of Lee makes for an interesting fight on the Senators blue line next season. The Senators now have 5 defensemen who have spent time in the NHL this season under contract for next year: Chris Phillips, Filip Kuba, Erik Karlsson, Matt Carkner, and Brian Lee. Chris Campoli will be a Restricted Free Agent on July 1st, while Anton Volchenkov and Andy Sutton are set to become Unrestricted Free Agents. 2009 First Round Draft pick Jared Cowen also recently signed an entry level deal and will be auditioning for a spot on the big club in September.
28 comments | 0 recs |
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Featured Stories
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
