Playoff Experts: Penguins beat Senators 7-4
by Ryan Classic on Apr 21, 2010 1:48 AM EDT
in Senators recaps
Email
Print
This was a weird game.
The first period was a relatively quiet one. The Pittsburgh Penguins outshot the Ottawa Senators. Brian Elliott was solid. Evgeni Malkin scored another goal, his ninth in eight games against the Senators this season. There were a few questionable calls, and a few questionable non-calls. But overall, it was a quiet period. Pittsburgh led 1-0.
Then the second period came, and all hell broke loose. Sidney Crosby scored the first goal of the period at 3:47, making it 2-0 Pittsburgh. Ten minutes later the score was 5-3. Chris Kunitz added another, and the second period ended with eight goals total, six at even-strength, one on the power play, and another shorthanded. The end of Brian Elliott came after the Penguins made it 4-0, and in came much-maligned goaltender Pascal Leclaire. There were twice as many goals as there were penalties. It was as atypical a period as you could have.
In the third period, Jason Spezza finally scored and made it 6-4, but Jordan Staal responded five minutes later to make it 7-4 and put the game completely out of reach. That would be the final score. The last two minutes got extremely chippy as 40 penalty minutes were handed out, including three 10-minute misconducts, one each to Chris Neil, Jarkko Ruutu, and Matt Carkner.
Nick Foligno spent four minutes in the penalty box tonight despite never being assessed a penalty after the Senators were twice called for a bench minor for too many men on the ice. A single too many men penalty is one too many, but two is completely unacceptable. Over the course of the regular season, the Senators accumulated 13 bench minors, tied for the most of any team. They already have three in the postseason.
The Penguins now lead the series 3-1. Game five is Thursday night in Pittsburgh at 7:00pm ET.
Sens Heroes: Andy Sutton, Matt Cullen
In a 7-4 game, Sutton was +1, the only plus player for the Senators. He had seven hits, two takeaways, two blocked shots, and was in everyone's face in yet another physical game. Cullen had a goal and two assists and was flying all nigh, also going 7-0 in the faceoff circle. This was easily his best game as a Senator. Cullen now has six points in the series after putting up only eight in the 21 regular season games he played in red and white.
Sens Zero: Anton Volchenkov
He may have blocked four shots, but Volchenkov had an otherwise terrible night. Not only were he and Chris Phillips both -3, but Volchenkov didn't throw a single hit while Phillips had five.. Jonathan Cheechoo and Erik Karlsson were the only other Senators to not register a hit, but neither are expected to bring the physical dimension that Volchenkov is. He's going to need to be significantly better if the Senators stand a chance at coming back in this series.
Sens Killer: Goaltending
This sums up the Senators' goaltending tonight:
It's worth noting that Brian Elliott actually had a pretty good first period. He stopped 13 of 14 shots and looked very solid. The second period is when it all fell apart. Elliott allowed 3 goals on 5 shots and that was the end of him. Pascal Leclaire was better, but nowhere near good enough. Jason Spezza's goal to make the game 6-4 meant that Leclaire was the one who allowed the game-winning goal, as the cruel hand of fate credited Leclaire with the loss in a game that he didn't deserve the bulk of the blame for.
Sens Killer: Sidney Crosby
With all due respect to Craig Anderson, Sidney Crosby is currently the Conn Smythe frontrunner. Why? This:
Crosby had two goals, two assists, was +3, and was all-around the single best player in the game. He's nearly a 3-point-a-game player right now. Crosby has 11 points. Ottawa as a team has 12 goals.
Sens Killer: The second period
The Penguins scored 5 goals in the second period. Ottawa scored 3. This is all you need to hear.
Stat line:
S |
MS |
BS |
TS |
HT |
GV |
TK |
FW |
FL |
F% |
|
Pittsburgh |
42 | 8 | 12 | 64 | 37 | 5 | 9 | 35 | 38 | 48% |
Ottawa |
30 | 15 | 14 | 57 | 48 | 13 | 15 | 38 | 35 | 52% |
(Legend: S (shots on goal), MS (missed shots), BS (blocked shots), TS (total shots fired), HT (hits), GV (giveaways), TK (takeaways), FW (faceoffs won), FL (faceoffs lost), F% (faceoff win percentage))
Shot chart:
Highlights:
62 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Hey! We out-hit them!
And we were better at faceoffs!
Also, no chance Cheechoo didn’t have a hit last night. In the first he had a terrible giveaway, and then immediately decked the guy who he gave it away to. It was great; seeing a guy fight to make up for a mistake he made. Too bad Spezza didn’t do that, when he gave the puck away at the blueline.
Phillips and Volchenkov were quite disappointing. The Kunitz goal was just pure mental letdown… both converged right on Crosby, leaving Kunitz wide open.
What a weird game.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 21, 2010 10:36 AM EDT reply actions
Rather than discuss last night’s game in any way, I’d prefer to simply send fantastical and farfetched trade proposals:
At the draft
Spezza to CGY for Iginla
Cowen and a 1st to FLA for Nathan Horton
Lee and a 2nd to CBS for Filatov
The rights to Volchenkov to WSH or DET for a 2nd
Free agency
Sign seventeen cheap goaltenders to one year deals
At the deadline
Kovalev to Siberia for a 2nd and future considerations
Lee + 2nd won't get you Filatov
and you’re giving up waaaaay too much for Horton. Way too much.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
I'm not sure he's serious, since he said they were fantastical and farfetched proposals
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Apr 21, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
"Anyone who thinks we should blow this team up should blow themselves up"
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 21, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Seriously, though, there’s little sense in blowing it up to compromise the rebuild we have already well underway. Spezza’s made some very frustrating plays this playoff, and you’ve got to wonder how long we can say ’he’s just got to grow up’, but trading him now would put a big hole in this team.
Still, we do need some first-line talent in the pipeline, especially for when Alfie inevitably retires. Going forward into next year, it might be more appropriate to settle him into a more modest second-line role, anyway.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 21, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Spezza to CGY for Iginla
That’s funny, I had a Flames fan pitch that one to me a few days ago.
by Hatt the Moople on Apr 21, 2010 11:02 AM EDT reply actions
Well, my thinking:
- Spezza is not as good as Iginla (in the category of intangibles, leadership, brain farts, types of laugh) but he’s younger and signed longer so maybe Calgary would give up Iginla without any prospects or picks in the package
- Trading him would leave a hole on the first line at centre. Florida wants to blow itself up, and Horton and Weiss might be available, are both young and about $4M cheaper than Spezz. I’d be surprised if either went for as little as a prospect who’s very early in development and might have knee problems + a mid-round 1st. Not sure how a prospect and pick is too much for an NHL-ready first line centre, but if he could be had for less then what the hell, sure.
- Lee and 2nd for Filatov: agreed, might need to give up more. Maybe switch the 1st offered for Horton for this 2nd? :)
But most of all, this wouldn’t constitute blowing the team up. Trading Spezza is the centerpiece of the proposal, and after this many years and how many coaches trying to reach him, then watching the guy have a mental relapse whenever he enters the playoffs, I’d be willing to give him up for another first liner. We’re gonna lose Volchenkov anyway. The rest is prospects and picks for immediate results.
Iginla is better than Spezza in virtually every single facet of the game, passing/playmaking notwithstanding
That said he’s 6 years older and trading Spezza leaves us without anything resembling a bonafide 1st-line center. Yes, yes all the turnovers, lazy play, etc, etc. My point here is that talents like Spezza are truely precious in the game of hockey and to trade him simply because of these negative aspects is akin to cutting off your nose to spite your face. You simply cannot replace a guy like that in any short order unless you tank for a lottery pick.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Curiosity Question
Are you guys assuming Volchenkov is gone because he will demand more money? or because he isn’t happy in OTT? or because the team can’t afford him at the 3.2 price?
Wondering because the Pens were looking at him (according to trade rumor) prior to landing Jordan “I’m not sure I’m an expert but I was right there so I don’t need a replay” Leopold. The Pens also have moved to keep Letang, which seems to be writing on the wall that Gonchar will be gone if he doesn’t take a hometown discount. Pitt has plenty of offensive minded forwards and I for one wouldn’t mind seen “The Wall” in black and gold.
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Apr 21, 2010 2:14 PM EDT reply actions
Reports say Volchenkov has already turned down a 5-year offer from the team
Dollar amounts have not been disclosed, but my guess is about 4M a year. If he truly wants more than that, the team simply can’t afford him.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I heard he’s seeking Komisarek’s deal. Which is, what, $4.5 over 5 or something? Apparently Washington and Detroit are also pretty hot on him and might drive up the price.
I like him, but agree that the team shouldn’t commit more than $4M to him, especially with so many solid defensive prospects in the system. I’d also hesitate to give anyone who sacrifices his body so much such a long deal. It’s only a matter of time before injuries start happening and you have $4.5M+ on IR every other year.
by Conrad Amenta on Apr 21, 2010 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Personally I think they should pay him no matter what
But then if he really demands that kind of money I find it hard to justify.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
It's going to be tough to keep him
Murray’s a GM who likes to keep players from the organization within the organization, though, so he’ll do everything he can to re-sign him. It could get to a point, though, when Murray decides he can’t afford to keep him around.
If that happens, Sutton’s next on the list.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 21, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I am fine with Sutton staying and Volchenkov leaving
by Alexander Calloway on Apr 21, 2010 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh yeah
Well I just slept with your wife!
by Alexander Calloway on Apr 21, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Was it yours?
SNAAAAAAAAAKE!!! But not a coyote snake - Silver Seven - Cycle Like the Sedins
by Ryan Classic on Apr 21, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Were you also a wife?
SNAAAAAAAAAKE!!! But not a coyote snake - Silver Seven - Cycle Like the Sedins
by Ryan Classic on Apr 22, 2010 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions
For the money he wants Volchenkov is all but gone
And it’s a shame Bryan Murray doesn’t understand the concept of selling high on skilled players because after this summer we’ll have nothing to show for him
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Going into the playoffs with Volchenkov was our best shot at winning a Cup
I don’t think that can be argued. I also don’t think it’s fair to fault Murray for not sacrificing this year for next year. No one knows what’s going to happen in the playoffs, so throwing away an asset just because you risk getting nothing when he walks doesn’t make sense to me.
I love Volchenkov, but he is not the only shot-blocking defensive defenseman in the league. There are other players available with his skill set to be had if he prices himself out of Ottawa.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
We're also faced with the reality of being too deep (!) on defence next year
Karlsson, Phillips, Campoli, Carkner, Kuba, Wiercioch, Lee, Cowen
Throw in maybe Sutton and you’ve got nine defenceman and spots for six, maybe seven. And that’s without Volchenkov.
SNAAAAAAAAAKE!!! But not a coyote snake - Silver Seven - Cycle Like the Sedins
by Ryan Classic on Apr 21, 2010 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Well its going to be interesting to see what happens.
I personally didnt think Murray would let Volchenkov go but I guess if he is asking those reported prices there is not much you can do.
I doubt Wiercioch and Cowen make Ottawa next year
Maybe I’m misjudging them, but I feel they’re headed for Binghamton. I also think Brian Lee is on his way out; Chris Campoli has shown himself to be a solid 5/6 defender, and you can’t have him and Lee together.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 21, 2010 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions
'Too deep' is a bit of stretch. A large bit of a stretch if you ask me.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Believe me, I don't think of Lee as being deep in talent
I’m cautiously optimistic about Cowen, but I don’t expect him to be with the big club next year.
SNAAAAAAAAAKE!!! But not a coyote snake - Silver Seven - Cycle Like the Sedins
by Ryan Classic on Apr 22, 2010 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree that Volchenkov is replaceable
And that blocking-shots is not as elusive a talent as its often made out to be around here, but that gamble was premised on the belief that we had a strong enough team to contend this year with the heavyweights of the league – and I just don’t think that was ever the case.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
But we did have a strong enough team.
When playing to full potential. We showed this at times during the season. As I have said numerous times losing Kovalev and Michalek doesn’t really help.
Michalek and Kovalev make a big difference
But the goaltending was unsettled virtually all season. If I’m Bryan Murray and I have to bet on either Pascal Leclaire or Brian Elliott taking my team on a lenghty playoff run – I dont do it. Because its a bad bet.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Goaltending? Unsettled? All season? LIES.
SNAAAAAAAAAKE!!! But not a coyote snake - Silver Seven - Cycle Like the Sedins
by Ryan Classic on Apr 22, 2010 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Realistically? Probably not.
But weaker teams than this one have won the Cup. And there’s just no way of knowing what the future holds when you make your deals at the trade deadline. What if the Sens took the Northeast and got the Bruins in the first instead? What if it was Crosby that tore his ACL right before the playoffs? There’s too many factors not in your control to simply say, “Fuck it, we can’t beat the heavyweights.”
More importantly, that would be a morale-crushing move. Tell your players “Hey, it’s great we’re going to make the playoffs, but I have no faith in you. Sorry, chumps!” You can’t do it.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Apr 22, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re going to stack a huge pile of ‘what-ifs’ against common sense? That’s no way to run a business.
As for a trade sending a negative message to the players, all Murray had to do was explain to them that he doesnt think he has a chance to re-sign Volchenkov. They’ll understand, and they’ll appreciate the fact that Murray wants them to be successful going forward by getting something back for the guy.
I don’t think the players are so short sighted that they lose perspective on contractual issues and the difficulties they present a team.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
But they're only what ifs because we have the benefit of hindsight
At the trade deadline, all Murray knows is that his team is going to make the playoffs. There’s no way to know more than that. Common sense says all you need is to make the playoffs for a shot to win it all — just ask Carolina. Murray is going in blind; the only thing that makes sense to me in that situation is to give yourself the best chance you can, and worry about next year when your season ends. Anything else is shortchanging your fans and players.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Logic says that all you need is to make the playoffs for a shot to win it all. Common sense says you also need a reasonable amount of talent to go deep.
I’m really not seeing your reasoning behind ignoring the future in favour of uncertain short-term gains. To me shortchanging the fans and players is putting the team in a worse position to contend continually for a Cup simply because your average team with little shot at winning this year has a marginally better chance at advancing with a certain style of player in the lineup.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Well, I could buy that if you could guarantee that moving Android would put the team in a better position to continually contend for the Cup… but that just takes us back to the whole uncertainty of the future argument.
The only thing we know is that the team has a shot this year. My reasoning for ignoring the future is that the gains you percieve from trading Volchenkov are just as uncertain as the short term ones we have from keeping him. The only certainty is this year. Beyond that is guesswork, even for the best of the GMs.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
But if Murray thinks thinks he’s unlikely to come to terms with Android then its certain that a 2nd rounder or whatever he could’ve got for him does give us a better chance going forward – based on my assertion that this team was never good enough to seriously contend.
I realize its all heresay till July 1 but I’m just going on the negative tone surrounding the negotiations. If he does re-sign I’ll happily admit I was wrong.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Murray isn’t just getting another few weeks of play from Volchenkov to give the Senators a better chance currently; he’s also getting another few months of time to continue negotiations with Volchenkov’s agent towards an extension.
Murray is as intelligent as any GM when it comes to the realization that letting free agents walk away is a terrible move for the franchise of the future, that’s why he didn’t let guys like Kuba and Neil really get into free agency. He’s going to try and make sure he gets at least some value for an asset, make no bones about it.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
That 2nd rounder only gives us a better chance if the player develops — and there’s no way to know who will pan out and who won’t. That’s all I’m arguing.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
That was definitiely a weird game.
It’s not that they didn’t try… That’s what was weird.
Volchenkov seemed hesitant. Maybe he’s hurt. Our team looks tired and hurt. Also they look frazzled and that the stress is too much. There were a good number of turnovers resulting from miscommunication. It seemed at times that they were playing individually.
I am one person that would never ever blame things on officiating because I truly feel a team should be able to overcome that. But it was bad which was soooo demotivating. you need to trust the refs to be fair and the fact that the pens, for the 3rd game in a row could get away with things could have put them in stress mode.
It was really weird. Talk of trades so soon really hurts. But it’s reality I guess.
Regardless it’s not 4 yet so GO SENS GO!!!
by Los Blancos Chicca on Apr 21, 2010 5:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
After we went down 4-0, we actually outscored them 4-3, so I guess there’s still hope…
Shawn McEachern: The best Senator to ever wear 15.
by Speedy_McEachern on Apr 21, 2010 6:56 PM EDT reply actions
I think there's hope, at least to bring it to six
And then once it’s at six, one more win and we’re in a winner-take-all matchup.
To bring it to six, though, the Senators need to get back to their system. After they allowed a couple goals last game, Ottawa tried to open up and tie it, but that backfired. It’s such a ridiculous statement to make because it’s so obvious, but the first goal will be huge next game. Huge.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 21, 2010 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, the home team is only 1-3 so far in the series.
I think one good thing that came out of going down so fast is that the team started to shoot from anywhere, and once that happened, wouldn’t ya know it, goals went in! Go figure! Hopefully we start eschewing the nifty pass for lots of traffic and shots on net and ugly goals.
Shawn McEachern: The best Senator to ever wear 15.
by Speedy_McEachern on Apr 21, 2010 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I rallied today
I was excited when I drove up to Anaheim for Game 5 of the Cup, and I’m excited again for tomorrow. Just win one and you go back home. Where’s the sense in giving up now? There’ll be plenty of time to acknowledge that the season’s over when the season’s over.
Never say die.
Stranger things have happened. It is just frustrating to see us not playing to full potential. Although having injuries does not help. One can only wonder how we would have gone if we had Michalek and Kovalev…such is life.
i'm in on this whole "bettman wants canadian teams to fail" conspiracy.
it’s just become too obvious. this reffing has bee borderline god damn embarassing.
chris neil scoring a goal, then taking a penalty for weakly shoving a pitts player who is skating right at him, makes no sense to me. that never happens. ever.
mtl’s goalie mildly shoots the puck towards washington’s players and the refs go ballistic.
this sorta shit isn’t fun to watch….the fix is in! don’t get me wrong, crosby is talented, and we’d likely be losing this series anyways, but like, wtf….cindy’s hit from behind on ruutu? could you imagine if that had been the other way around?? textbook hit from behind where we’ve seen a penalty be called a million times, sometimes a major.
that’s just the vibe i get. my 2 cents, nothing more. i know it’s already been discussed here.
could be the last one tmrw fellas. frig you bettman, you pansy.
Montreal had a ton of PP as well
I thought the game was gonna be bad calls again (against MTL) because of those 2 penalties in the first 5 mins of the game. Then, as the game went on, Montreal starting gettting many calls their way.
Early penalties are killer
The thing about getting bad calls against you early, and then having those made up later in the game, is that you’re already behind the eight ball. That’s what happened to Ottawa on Tuesday: They controlled the first ten minutes, got some penalties, and then were completely manhandled when those penalties turned the momentum around.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
the refs only need to make bad calls if it looks like the wrong team is going to win, other wise they can throw the canadian team a few calls in the meanwhile so that it looks “even”
Looks like a case for "The X-Files"
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Tuesday’s Three Stars: 4-spots for Kovalchuk, Spezza; who throws a strawberry on the ice?
- Henrik Lundqvist survives Zdeno Chara shot to back of head for save of year candidate (VIDEO)
- Red Wings set NHL record with 21 straight home wins; Steve Ott: ‘That’s a phenomenal feat’
- Puck Previews: Red Wings go for wins record; Brian Boyle hates Bruins; Ruutu out 3 weeks
- Blindside assault leads to brawl, suspensions in Austrian Hockey League (VIDEO)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Wings set NHL record with 21 straight wins at home
- WHL Roundup: A look at Tuesday's games
- Gallagher has hat trick and SO winner, leads Giants over Americans 5-4
- Thunderbirds end seven-game home losing streak with 4-3 SO win over Rockets
- Nabokov makes 37 saves, Parenteau scores winner as Islanders beat Jets 3-1
Certain photos copyright © 2012 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.
