Game two: Ottawa Senators @ Toronto Maple Leafs
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 5:15 PM EDT
177 comments
Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs, Oct 6, 2009 7:00 PM EDT
Whatever anyone says about the Battle of Ontario being dead, I'm still pretty stoked for the game tonight. I don't care if we're both teams that missed the playoffs last year; I want to see how we stack up.
As you may have read in today's Silver Nuggets, Shean Donovan is in the lineup, and will be counted on for a little physicality against the Leafs--as will Chris Neil, Matt Carkner, Mike Fisher, and Jarkko Ruutu. And the monster Jonas "Burnin' Up" Gustavsson will make his NHL regular-season debut tonight.
I'm excited. Can't wait for the puck drop.
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Clou-Clou said he's doubtful
Which, to me, means he’s not playing. So Picard’s in.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope I’m wrong, but I really predict the Leafs to win the game tonight. Not only do they have home ice advantage, but they’re also facing a Senators team that has yet to really gel and find its identity, is missing arguably their most important defenseman, and has a shuffled around second line that I’m not very confident with.
VOLCHENKOV!
Apparently the A-Train is on the tracks again. He just stepped up and smoked a guy.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 7:39 PM EDT reply actions
ANOTHER ONE!
Just hit Stalberg big time. Big time.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if we’ll see any Senators highlight replays tonight. Or if it will continue to be basically Leafs TV on TSN.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 7:41 PM EDT reply actions
End of one, 0-0
Shots: TOR 8, OTT 7
Penalties: Kelly (Ott); Ruutu (OTT)/Orr (TOR)
Hits: TOR 12, OTT 11
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 7:51 PM EDT reply actions
Stars for the first: Alfredsson, Donovan, Volchenkov
Alfie’s got credit for one hit, has more. He’s on tonight.
Donovan’s the only one doing what Clouston’s asking for: Driving the net.
Volchenkov has two huge hits (only credit for one) and decent defensively.
Regin’s looked good, too. As has Leclaire.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 7:55 PM EDT reply actions
Could someone recap the first – how are we compared to Toronto? The stats make it look very balanced.
It was pretty balanced.
There wasn’t many chances either way, it was largely even.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Him, Anton, Fisher and Kelly are a formidable PK line.
They’ll never score a short handed goal, but…
TRUCULENCE!
Ruutu injures Blake, the fourth line keeps forechecking, and SHEAN DONOVAN SCORES A SCRAMBLER!
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions
That’s what my girlfriend’s saying… might have been a Leaf defender who knocked it in. Still, it’s got to be conclusive…
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
SheanDon! Playing for a roster spot.
And earning one. Terrific first game.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:16 PM EDT reply actions
… if he’s okay… come on, Milan! You’ll be fine!
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions
And he's back!
I’m glad he’s back… I like Michalek.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Hell of a move.
It’s great when he shows those moves off once in a while. I’d like to see them more often.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Is Maguire cheering for Toronto?
Sure seems that way. He’s getting on my nerves.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:22 PM EDT reply actions
That’s not very truculent. Downright untruculent.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
One of the many questions pundits are posing about this 2009-2010 Ottawa Senators team.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Do we have two unassisted goals?
Seriously? Come on, guys, let’s pad the stats a bit here. My fantasy hockey team needs some help.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions
It's not just you...
I think he’s back on this year. I hope he’s back on this year. Add a bit of offence to his game-changing physicality, and he’s going to cash in on his contract next year.
Oh yeah, and that big hit he threw on Stalberg? That kid’s not coming back tonight.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, he's shooting a lot
… and I have no problem with that. With the rockets he’s unleashing there should be some rebound goals generated.
He's also had a bootload of ice time.
Over ten minutes so far tonight. It’s pretty nice to see.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
A bit different than Gerber.
Oh Martin… I won’t miss you. I’m sorry.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn't it nice?
Unlike some recently-departed players, Spezza appears to be responding positively to an increased role on the team. And he didn’t even need a letter. So he gets some penalty-killing time, and all that jazz.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Michalek deserves some credit there too. He’s backchecking, Alfie’s back there… what’s Spezza gonna do? If all three of them do it consistently, that line has the speed to generate some breakaways off of turnovers, like we have seen already.
Totally agree.
I said it before, I think Spezza tailors his style to who he plays with. He was a bit slower with Heatley, looking for the pass, and he’s stepped up his speed with Michalek. Big time.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Let's not get too crazy yet...
This is only the Leafs, after all…
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Sounds painful...
Is that like the thing in Pan’s Labyrinth has?
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Baseball's still on?
They should cancel that sport.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Did Ruutu lose his roster spot?
He lost coverage, Komisarek (I hate that guy) shoots and hits both posts, and Donovan’s playing like a beast. Well, a moderate beast. I love Ruutu, but… yeah. Once he becomes a liability, it’s tough to justify the hilarity he causes.
Plus there’s actually a trade market for him, unlike many other Senators players.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:20 PM EDT reply actions
Will need some "major dental work" on his two front teeth
by Jeff Sullivan on Oct 6, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
He says in reply to the wrong comment
The Maple Leafs are handing us chances right now.
by Jeff Sullivan on Oct 6, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
The next Chris Neil?
At least dentally.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Maguire's right about something!
Foligno and Kovalev have clicked.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions
Neil just about cost us the game.
That was awful.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:26 PM EDT reply actions
Be optimistic!
Only three years and 80.25 games!
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I did not think I would fall this hard this fast for a goalie
by Jeff Sullivan on Oct 6, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Binghamton's not that bad.
Zing!
No, seriously, I love Binghamton. Or at least I would love to go there.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Did anyone read my prediction in the Citizen?
I said 3-1 with an empty net goal. I was so damned close.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:34 PM EDT reply actions
Old Man Fletcher doesn't know what's happening.
“Where am I? Who are you? These crab cakes don’t have real crab in them, do they?”
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
You offer a hell of a service with your animated .gifs
Tremendous. Perfect timing, great execution.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Who I loved in this game:
Volchenkov – It’s like he was sent back to our time by Skynet for the purpose of playing defence correctly.
Leclaire – Cause you know Gerber would have let that in to send it to OT. Timely, timely saves.
Alfie – I wish he’d never retire because he’ll always be awesome.
Who I didn’t like:
Cheechoo – Come on, Cheech. I want to love all the Sens, even our overpaid 4th line.
Who else just knew that final shot was going to go in?
Damn you conditioning
by Jeff Sullivan on Oct 6, 2009 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with Volch, Leclaire, and Alfie. I don’t think Cheech was bad, at all.
I’m so impressed with Carkner. I thought the guy was going to STRUGGLE, and he’s been extremely solid in both games.
Agreed, Cheech was fine.
He’s going to have to work hard to get off the third line, and I don’t think Chris Neil is going to offer him much help. We’ll see if Cheech can do it, but he’s fine for the time being.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe my expectations for him are too high? I’m not asking that he score 56 goals again, but I guess I’d like to see a little more than just holding the puck. Neil generated more chances than he did tonight. He’s responsible defensively and that’s good for this team, but he looks… lost? in the offensive zone to me.
I have to think part of Carkner’s play is due to knowing Clouston’s system. He’s been just straight up solid, like you said, and that probably comes from the confidence of knowing exactly what he’s supposed to do.
Agreed, with both.
Totally did not think Carkner would fit in as well as he has so far. It’s interesting to see.
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 6, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
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