Silver Nuggets: Elliott to start against motivated Capitals

by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 11, 2010 12:14 PM EST in Silver Nuggets

Brian Elliott will start again tonight. Good call, in my mind, because throwing Pascal Leclaire to the wolves would have been a little rough. No lineup changes. (Twitter)
Semyon Varlamov starts for the Caps. (Twitter)
And you know what's awesome? That the Washington Capitals' winning streak was snapped last night, and it's all controversial. They're not going to be pissed and motivated tonight, or anything. (Puck Daddy)
"Battle of the streakers"? Really? (Globe and Mail)
Jonathan Cheechoo will keep his promotion to the top line tonight, at least to start the game, and I'm guessing Chris Kelly gets shutdown duty again with Mike Fisher and Daniel Alfredsson. Lines: Michalek-Spezza-Cheechoo; Kelly-Fisher-Alfredsson; Kovalev-Regin-Shannon; Ruutu-Winchester-Neil. (Twitter)
Speaking of Kelly, his contract looks better this season than it did last year. Much better. (Citizen)
Sens d-man Chris Phillips thinks it will be a "fun challenge" to take on Alexander Ovechkin. You got the 'challenge' part right, Chris, I'm not sure about the other part. (Sun)
Covers, "a one-stop shop for current and accurate sports gaming information", is picking Otttawa to win tonight. (Covers)
This just in: The Senators are way better than they were last season. (Citizen)
Apparently, Chris Neil's favourite jersey is the old Dallas Stars one. I'm hoping he isn't referring to this one. (Citizen)

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Lines tonight:

Michalek-Spezza-Cheechoo; Kelly-Fisher-Alfredsson; Kovalev-Regin-Shannon; Ruutu-Winchester-Neil

Looks like the lines that finished last game start again, including that Kelly/Fish/Alfie line. Interesting.

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Feb 11, 2010 1:29 PM EST reply actions

Indeed

I’ll be very curious to see if they last. You have to believe it’s dependent on Cheechoo’s play. I, for one, would love to see Shannon-Regin-Kovalev stay together.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Feb 11, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed.

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Feb 11, 2010 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

That there are two legitimately skilled players on each of the first 3 lines (I now consider Regin as part of the skilled category, esp. given his dangle on Soupy and Huet). And the 4th is a punishing checking line if I’ve ever seen one. Clouston can manage personnel like few Ottawa coaches have been able to.

Although, I’m beginning to doubt Michalek’s playmaking and finishing abilities.. 8 assists all year? Strangely low when surrounded by Ottawa’s top talents. Sure, he had plenty of first half goals, but many came from odd, obtusely angled shots. He’s a very north-south player that generally finds his way to the corner in a hurry more often than the net. Just wish he’d take a page from Alfie’s playbook and take some time to let the play catch up to him once in a while.

by LeTigre on Feb 11, 2010 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

Michalek's definitely in a cold spell

Like… absolute zero. He hasn’t been nearly as effective in the second half as he was in the first half, and it’s pretty disappointing to see him minimally useful he is when that’s the case.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 11, 2010 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

He hasn’t been the same since we played the Sharks. He scored 2 goals, showed them up for trading him and has pretty much been invisible since.

by modsuperstar on Feb 11, 2010 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

I think the only people shown-up in that game were the Sens

Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.

by Andrew J on Feb 11, 2010 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

so would I; however, if Clouston needs to shuffle lines, I don’t think they will or can stay together. I mean, do we really want to see a Kelly-Fisher-Cheechoo line? Fisher is the man, but he won’t be overly effective with two stone-hands on his wings. Though they could be redeeming in a shut-down roll if Cheechoo keeps up the speed he’s had the past couple games.

I am AWESOME! Are you?

by Manthong on Feb 11, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

This is why eventually, Kovalev and Fisher need to play together. I dont know how many times I can say it, but putting Fish on the third line with garbage wingers is a great way to waste the guy whose been your top player all year.

It’s a shame that the team only has two wingers producing these days, but as long as thats the case they should play with the teams best pivots.

Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.

by Andrew J on Feb 11, 2010 6:07 PM EST up reply actions

Kelly-Fisher-Alfredsson ain't too bad

I think it might be a shutdown line for particular games, but it’s not like you’re saddling Fisher with a couple of nobodies.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 11, 2010 10:28 PM EST up reply actions

Also,

Could the showcasing of Cheechoo on the 1st line be an attempt to dangle him out as trade bait? Hmm.

by LeTigre on Feb 11, 2010 2:59 PM EST reply actions

I'd say that's what's kept him in the lineup this long

To be honest, though, if he plays like he has the past two games, he may actually earn the money he’s making. I’m not certain he can keep up that pace, but I’d like to think so, and if so he’ll start putting up points.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 11, 2010 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

If Neil was talking about the Stars jersey from when they won the Cup I entirely agree. That green one with the star shape over the whole jersey was a great design. Anything they’re worn since has been a step down.

by modsuperstar on Feb 11, 2010 4:07 PM EST reply actions