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Tue 03/16 | 7:30 PM EDT |
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Thu 03/18 | 7:00 PM EDT |
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Dallas
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Sat 03/20 | 2:00 PM EDT |
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Montreal
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Mon 03/22 | 7:30 PM EDT |
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Philadelphia
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Tue 03/23 | 7:30 PM EDT |
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Vancouver
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Thu 03/11 | L 0 - 2 |
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Tue 03/09 | W 4 - 1 |
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Toronto
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Sat 03/06 | SO - L 1 - 2 |
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Thu 03/04 | L 1 - 4 |
I paid $95 for seats and they didn't even win!
by DarrenM on Mar 16, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
2 comments
It wasn't supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be a valiant effort by the Senators, who dazzled the crowd with outstanding offensive prowess and a blue-collar work ethic. I was to leave that opponent's arena with my head held high, laughing quietly at the fans of the opposing team for wasting their money on a lackluster performance.
Instead, I watched my first live Ottawa Senators hockey game with quiet horror as the Sens managed only 14 shots on net against the Vancouver Canucks. It was arguably their worst effort of the season, but it's all I have to base the live Ottawa Senators experience on. As a kid from rural British Columbia who waited well over a decade to see his favourite team in action, I suppose it's fair to say that it was a disappointment.
After the jump, a handful of my observations from GM Place.
2 comments | 0 recs |
I've said it before and I'll say it again: these hits (Ovechkin's, Steve Downie's, Matt Cooke's, etc.) are Rorschach tests; people see what they want to see in them, be it a chance to critique the game, promote a hero by unfairly ripping apart a "villain," or what have you.
about 13 hours ago
PeterR
2 comments
0 recs
Does drafting more goaltenders lead to better goaltending?
by PeterR on Mar 15, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
9 comments
Pretty much since the inauguration of the franchise, the Ottawa Senators have dealt with flux in the crease. Although there have been streaks where goaltenders have played well, there hasn't been any significant measure of consistency, whether within a season or, especially, over the course of a few seasons. Given this fact, you've got to think the Senators have identified goaltending as a key area for improvement, and used the most basic method for improving a given area--the Entry Draft--to address it. But you'd be wrong, because of the course of the last decade, the Senators have drafted a total of five goaltenders: Robin Lehner (2009), Ryan Daniels (2006), Jeff Glass (2004), Brian Elliott (2003), and Ray Emery (2001).
With five goalies selected since 2000, the Senators have drafted the second-fewest netminders, ahead only of the New Jersey Devils--and the Devils have kind of had that position pretty well settled for the decade. The rest of the top ten are all over the map, in terms of steady goaltending:
| Team | No. of goalies drafted |
| Devils | 4 |
| Senators | 5 |
| Blue Jackets | 6 |
| Bruins | 7 |
| Red Wings | 7 |
| Oilers | 7 |
| Canadiens | 7 |
| Rangers | 7 |
| Ducks | 8 |
| Stars | 8 |
| Four more tied at... | 8 |
On average, teams have drafted more than nine goalies in the last decade, but the Senators have drafted about half that many. So why have the Senators not tried to use the draft in order to address what has been their primary weakness for that whole time? And would doing so even necessarily mean they'll solve the problem?
(Read more... )
9 comments | 0 recs |
Senators unravel in 5-1 loss to Canucks
by Mark Parisi on Mar 14, 2010 3:07 AM EST
in Senators recaps
24 comments
The Ottawa Senators lost to the Vancouver Canucks because they couldn't maintain their poise. After goaltender Pascal Leclaire did everything in his power to keep it 1-0 after one period -- in which the Senators were outshot 17-2 -- Jason Spezza made an outstanding individual effort to tie the game at one on a full speed end-to-end rush. The rest of the team responded to this by not playing defense and giving up three unanswered goals, including a brutal shorthanded breakaway to Alex Burrows. There was very little to like about this game outside of Leclaire's play. It's a real disappointment to see how little support his teammates gave him after he put forth top effort even after the game was clearly out of reach.
24 comments | 0 recs |
Game 69: Ottawa Senators @ Vancouver Canucks
by Mark Parisi on Mar 13, 2010 9:00 PM EST
664 comments
Well, the last time this building saw hockey, it was kind of a big deal. No pressure, Canucks. This is the first home game for Vancouver since January 27th. They may be slightly excited to play tonight. Here's master psychologist Mike Fisher with some analysis:
"They’ll be ready to play. There’s no question they’ll be excited to be back home. We’re going to have to be ready and try to weather the storm early. We’re going to have to have a good start and a solid road game. There was a lot of excitement about the Olympics. Having Luongo back, and I’m sure they’ll do something for him for winning the gold medal, I’m sure the atmosphere in there is just going to be unreal. It should be a great game for them."
Meanwhile, Pascal Leclaire gets the start for Ottawa barring a last minute injury. I wish that was a joke. Is it the right choice, given Elliot's play on the road trip? Let's put it this way: If he wins, it's the right choice. Leclaire was strong in his last start against the Maple Leafs, but pulled less than seven minutes into his previous start against Carolina. Consistency will be key for him tonight.
Chris Kelly also returns to the lineup, which means Silver Sevens favorite Shean Donovan is scratched. You won't find a lot of support for this choice from Peter or me.
The Senators fired 63 shots at the Flames' net on Thursday, but only 33 actually made it to Kiprusoff. The remaining 30 were blocked. If the team plays a similar game tonight, we are in for a wild, entertaining affair. With Buffalo losing to Minnesota yesterday (with a game at Detroit this evening), this is a crucial game for Ottawa. The team has been ice cold since the Olympic break, so it's premature to talk about must-win games just yet. However, in the race for the division title, this is indeed a must-win game. I'm excited to see how the Senators respond.
As always, please join us in the comments section where we'll be enjoying the game!
664 comments | 0 recs |
Silver Nuggets: Leclaire expected to start; NHL's biggest brawls
by PeterR on Mar 13, 2010 1:42 PM EST
in Silver Nuggets
11 comments
- Cory Clouston said that both goalies would play on this road trip, so people expect Pascal Leclaire to get the start tonight against the Vancouver Canucks tonight. (Citizen)
- The panelists are just about split on predicting tonight's game: Four pick Ottawa, three (including yours truly) picked Vancouver. (Citizen)
- Scouting report: The Sens are having a hard time scoring. (Vancouver Sun)
- Over and done with now, but Clouston and Milan Michalek maintain that Michalek's tip-in against Calgary should have been a goal. (Sun)
- The Senators-Flyers brawl tops the list of the NHL's biggest brawls of the last 23 years. (Behind The Net)
11 comments | 0 recs |
Senators blow a million chances en route to 2-0 loss to Flames
by Mark Parisi on Mar 12, 2010 2:51 AM EST
in Senators recaps
14 comments
Ottawa should have won this game but didn't. Thanks for reading.
What, you want more?
OK, here's a short list of the major missed chances:
- Milan Michalek had a power play goal waved off because of a high stick. Whether it was truly a high stick or not is debatable, but there was not enough evidence to overrule the call on the ice, which was no goal.
- 0 for 5 on the power play.
- Peter Regin hit the crossbar of an open net.
- The Senators had 33 shots on goal. The Flames blocked almost as many. This is NOT an exaggeration.
A little more misery coming up.
14 comments | 0 recs |
Game 68: Ottawa Senators @ Calgary Flames
by DarrenM on Mar 11, 2010 7:30 PM EST
584 comments
The Western road trip continues as the Ottawa Senators meet the Calgary Flames, who are currently on a three-game win streak. The Senators have not won a game in Calgary since January 9, 2003, although they did manage to beat the Flames in Ottawa earlier this season. The Flames are bound to be hungry, as they are still sitting in 8th place, just holding onto the last playoff position in the Western Conference.
Brian Elliott will start in net for the Senators. Miikka Kiprusoff starts for the Flames (I know, I was hoping for Toskala, too).
Be sure to join in on the fun in the comments during the game!
584 comments | 0 recs
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