Silver Nuggets: Sens visit the Flames, Elliott starts

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

UPDATE: Brian Elliott will start in net for the Senators. Chris Kelly missed the morning skate, but should be fine to go when the puck drops. (Mendes)
The Ottawa Senators last victory in Calgary, against the Flames? More than seven years ago. (Province)
With that in mind, the Sens are going to make sure not to underestimate the Flames tonight. (Sun)
Milks is the odd man out on the prediction panel again today; everyone else is calling for an Ottawa Senators win. (Citizen)
Daniel Alfredsson, Alex Kovalev, Andy Sutton and Matt Carkner all missed practice yesterday, but don't worry: They're expected to be in the lineup tonight. (Citizen)
Points are always important in the league, but they're especially important now, as the Senators try to keep pace (and overcome) the Sabres for the Northeast Division lead. (Citizen)

(Read more... )

UPDATE: The Flyers are only four points back of Ottawa, and they've got two games in hand, and they're climbing up the East quickly; will they catch Ottawa--or even Pittsburgh? (Broadstreet Hockey)
Rumours are out there that Anton Volchenkov's agent rejected a five-year contract extension offered by the Senators before the Olympics. Regardless of what happens, the Sens may also try to re-sign Sutton--both coming back would really be something. (Sun)
Neat interview with Peter Regin about hockey in Denmark. (Daily Observer)
Playoff hopes long gone, the B-Sens won their fourth straight road game on Wednesday against the Manchester Monarchs.Josh Hennessy scored 2G and 1A in the 4-1 win. (OSC)

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The more I look at the standings

the more I believe that the Senators won’t finish 3rd, and may in fact finish 6th. Philadelphia is neck and neck with them (5 points behind with 2 games in hand) while Buffalo has 2 more points with 2 games in hand.

Ottawa will, in all likelihood, not have home ice advantage in the playoffs. Maybe I should do a post on this in the next few days.

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Mar 11, 2010 12:17 PM EST reply actions

I think if they have any shot of winning the division, they MUST win both games against the Sabres

If they give up any points to them that way, they have no chance.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Mar 11, 2010 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

It will be interesting.

Because if we do come 6th it will make a nice division rival playoff match up (I believe Buffalo will come 3rd unless we can catch them and as Mark said beat them both times). I almost wouldn’t mind meeting Buffalo in the first round.

by sens_24 on Mar 11, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Given our history, I like the idea

but given Miller’s clutch performance in the Olympics, I’m not so sure.

Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.

by DarrenM on Mar 11, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not scared of Miller.

We have Alfie and Spezza. I will always ponder how Canada would have gone against Miller with Spezza in the side…

by sens_24 on Mar 11, 2010 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed, Miller is the best in the league right now and maybe the biggest difference maker on any playoff team

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

by Andrew J on Mar 11, 2010 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

Buffalo simply doesn’t match up well against Ottawa. We’ve got 4 lines that can score. They don’t have that depth, and that is why they will make a one and done appearance in the playoffs.

Personally I’d be quite happy with a Flyers, Penguins or Sabres matchup in the first round.

by modsuperstar on Mar 11, 2010 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

I would not like to see the Sabres speed against Sutton and Carkner, however

I still remember what they did to Chara

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Mar 11, 2010 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

Im confident

we can beat most teams if we play to our capabilities. We have showed this throughout the year. We have also showed that we can suck and play horrendously. Consistency is the key. In saying that I think we have Buffalo covered. Miller can steal a game but I dont think he can steal a whole series…

by sens_24 on Mar 11, 2010 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think they're too poorly suited

Phillips and Volchenkov keep up with the Sabres, I imagine that Carkner and Sutton would be too bad, they don’t seem significantly slower than the other two. The biggest difference now is the back pressure our forwards put on the opposition, so the defence don’t have to step up to close the gap as much.

Plus if they don’t work, Campoli and Lee are our 7-8 defencemen… they could step in and add some footspeed.

www.silversevensens.com

by Peter Raaymakers on Mar 11, 2010 7:20 PM EST up reply actions