Silver Nuggets: Leclaire starts; Donovan in for Cheechoo
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 12:07 PM EDT
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A whole season comes down to this one game. If the Ottawa Senators lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the season is over. If they win, then a whole season comes down to the next game. Here are some headlines heading into game five:
- Pascal Leclaire starts tonight, and Shean Donovan subs in tonight in place of Jonathan Cheechoo. (Twitter)
- UPDATE: Tyler Kennedy is still out after being injured off a hit by Andy Sutton last game, so Ruslan Fedotenko is the likely replacement. Rumours of Eric Godard getting into the lineup are, apparently, grossly exaggerated. (Pensburgh)
- One game at a time. There is no tomorrow. On the brink. On thin ice. Never give up. Can we find more cliches, please?
- Prediction panel: Only Russell from Sens Underground and I keep the faith. Especially Russell... if his 11-0 prediction comes true, he'll look like a genius. (Citizen)
- One thing Ottawa's got to do tonight? Play their style, and try not to get caught up in gunning for the killer hit. (Sun, NHL)
- Still, Sidney Crosby knows nothing's done yet; he expects game five to be the toughest of the series. (NHL)
- Ottawa still a goalie graveyard. Water still wet. (Sun)
- Don Brennan seems convinced Ottawa is done. If for not other reason than to spite him, Ottawa needs to come back. (Sun)
- Folks are making sure to give the Pittsburgh defence plenty of credit, and to acknowledge Bill Guerin's play in the series, somehow forgetting that Sidney Crosby has almost single-handedly put the Penguins in the position they're in now.
- There were comments about the refereeing last game, but they were subtle. The Senators have enough things to worry about that they can control, no sense worrying about that which they can't. (Sun)
- Brian Costello takes a (pessimistic) look at the Senators salary commitments for next year. Because who needs to wait for the season to end before you worry about what'll happen in the off-season? (Metro)
- Sens prospect Patrick Wiercioch was named to a first-team All American for his play with the University of Denver. If you're wondering, no, he's not American; he's from Maple Grove, B.C. (WCHA)
- Former Senators GM Rick Dudley found a new job in Atlanta; The Falconer takes a look at his reputation, including a quick blurb about his time here by yours truly. (Bird Watchers Anonymous)
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What is Clouston thinking? This is his most harebrained decision yet.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
He's down 3-1with Elliott
Current lineup is not getting it done. Can’t heal Michalek’s ACL. Gotta make a change where he can.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Apr 22, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats a bit surprising that Leclaire is starting. he hasnt impressed me since his day with CBJ. Elliott is the guy that got them to in the playoffs. Elliotts had his fair share of softies this series but, so has Fleury. I thought he looked sharp at the beginning of game 4 but, that game just got crazy. I can understand that Clouston wants to make a change and thats his only real option. I havent seen a ton of Sens games this year, but to me you’ve got to start the goalie that gives you the best chance to win….and thats not Leclaire. maybe I’m out of line here, but thats MO.
by genomachine-O on Apr 22, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't disagree with you
I just think that’s where Clouston is coming from.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
i do disagree
Elliot was along for the ride when the Sens tore it up. Any goalie wouldve looked spectacular. Elliott didn’t get them there, the team did.
by High Priest of Alfie on Apr 22, 2010 4:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
How is this hare-brained?
Elliott has the WORST numbers out of any goalie in the playoffs. I know it’s not entirely his fault but he’s not doing the team any favors out there either. Might as well start Leclaire at this point and see if he can pull out another “Flu Game” like he did against T.O.
What have we got to lose at this point?
by Dr. Hansum B. Wunderful on Apr 22, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
What have we got to lose? Well, the series actually.
Maybe you and other fans have given up, but the Senators being the (supposed) professional organization that they are still have a job to do – stay motivated and win hockey games.
This is show of zero faith in his team by Clouston. This team was good enough to finish 5th in conference, due in large part to good goaltending from Elliott.
So when facing adversity Clouston’s response is: “I know he’s been my guy for the past couple months and he’s the only goalie who played extended stretches of good hockey for the team BUT he hasn’t played well in 3 of the last 4 games so I’m gunna throw his ass under the bus and put in a goalie who’s proven himself repeatedly to be less capable.”
Much like putting in Cheechoo Tuesday night this is another desperate move by a desperate coach.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Isn't that the nature of the playoffs, though?
Right now there are four desperate coaches, and after tonight there will be at least one more. When it’s all said and done, there will have been 15 coaches who tried to find any kind of spark and one who made all the right moves.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Ummm... of course it's a desperate move?
You don’t get much more desperate than down 3-1 in a playoff series. So of course he’s resorting to desperate measures.
That said, when the team needed Elliott last game, he wasn’t there. Leclaire gets a shot. It’s not hare-brained; It’s not like we have Ryan Miller and we’re putting in Patrick Lalime. Montreal goes with Price over Halak, Washington goes with Varlamov over Theodore… I thnk you’re being a little melodramatic about this.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, fair enough. I still maintain that playing your best players gives the team a better chance to win but point taken about desperation moves. My Leclaire-hate probably got the best of me for a minute.
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Fair enough—at this point, Leclaire-hate is probably justified to a certain extent. Still, I’m not sure ‘best players’ necessarily means Elliott, given how he’s played in the playoffs so far. He had an awesome first period last game, I’ll give him that, but that second undid all the good he’d done so far.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
All this..
…just proves my point that Ottawa didn’t have the horses in goal to compete with Pittsburgh in this series.
Elliott is a reliable goaltender, in the Chris Osgood mold who will play solid, not spectacular, in a solid, defensively strong system. When Ottawa was winning, the defense was strong. When the defense showed cracks, so did Elliott.
Leclaire is damaged goods. Be it mismanagement from the coaching staff, the cumulative injuries or his inability to play in a hockey market, he was not the #1 that Murray was hoping for.
Back to the drawing board.
by Dr. Hansum B. Wunderful on Apr 22, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Lehner's two years away
We’re just holding on until then
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Agreed, Chris Osgood is a pretty good comparable for Elliott
Cannot play with 'em, cannot win with 'em, cannot coach with 'em. Cant do it.
Ottawa didn’t have the horses on offense to compete with Pittsburgh in the series, either.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
Yeah, goaltending didn’t win us anything, but it’s definitely not what’s cost us the series. The team’s gotten by all season by compensating for mediocre goaltending with a structured game. In games two, three, and four, they abandoned that structure, and the goaltending weaknesses were exposed as a result.
Really, whether it’s Elliott or Leclaire tonight, it shouldn’t matter; Ottawa won’t win unless they get back to what worked all season.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
have you watched any of the other series?
3 of the last 4 games??? try playing for montreal or washington…a bad period will have you sittin on the bench
by Buz Killington on Apr 22, 2010 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not even a little bit surprised
I would have been more surprised if Elliott started, to tell you the truth. He’s been bad, Leclaire was slightly better. To be honest, it doesn’t matter which of these two is in net; the guys in front of him need to be way better.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Leclaire still gave up that rebound Staal goal.
which was bad.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
Hey, I only said slightly better... he didn't stun the world or anything
There was some bad luck involved there, too. He swung his stick at the puck, it bounced over it, and Stall got there before any defenders did.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
We have had bad luck throughout the series!
by Los Blancos Chicca on Apr 22, 2010 2:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
is anyone else surprised that we haven't seen Kelly-Fisher-Alfie?
That line was a great shutdown line in the middle of the season against a couple of teams (the Flames being the one that comes to mind). It seems with Crosby lighting us up that Clouston would do the same thing. Maybe it’s because of a lack of Kovy/Michalek he feels he can’t.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
Yeah, I think the lack of Kovalev and Michalek is tying his hands here
He can’t spare Fisher or Alfie for shutdown duties when he needs offense so badly.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
To me it seems like the Sens worry to much about Crosby. I dont really know how you defend him, but it seems like Spezza is out there a lot against Sid even in Ottawa. The Pens will take that matchup anyday. I’d try a little harder to get Spezza line against Malkins’ line, which is the Pens worst defensive line.
by genomachine-O on Apr 22, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
63% of respondents to a Sun poll say they want Brodeur to play.
25% say Elliot, 11% want Leclaire. I’m glad to see Donovan get a chance. I hope Leclaire is decent tonight. First, because I want the Sens to win, but mostly because we’re stuck with him. Nobody is going to pay that guy almost five million to sit on the bench play next year.
Good thing Ottawa Sun respondents aren't coaching the team
Just sayin’…
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Ha!
You should see some of the MENSA candidates that post in their comments forum….
by Dr. Hansum B. Wunderful on Apr 22, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
The only time he will score a goal tonight, will be in the warm up.
by Chris Marcellus on Apr 22, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I have never heard of a fanbase wrap up the playoffs before they're over like this before.
That being said, I agree. Injuries, Refereeing, shitty luck, and the ancient goalie graveyard that SBP is apparently built upon have ruined this series and this season for me.
It's tough to remain optimistic
When we are cheerng for the team that never was, deep in a hole against the defending cup champs. Cheechoo and Leclaire? I thought we’ve already established that they played themselves off the team! Who are these Ottawa Senators I’m cheering for?
But hey, this is what being a fan is all about! Sens in seven baby! Wooo!!
how much longer is Cheechoo signed for?
by genomachine-O on Apr 22, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless we buy him out, obviously
Then a portion of his salary is on the books for two seasons.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
you think they could afford to just keep him in the minors to start next season? Or actually give him a shot at the start of next season then send him down if its more of the same. Maybe you’ll get luck and Sather will claim him off waivers you never know!
by genomachine-O on Apr 22, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Could they afford to? Absolutely, Melnyk has shitloads of money. But does he want to spend an extra $3.5M over what he has to? Don’t count on it. I do not think he’ll spend the whole year down there.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
It all comes down to what's most cost-effective for the team.
I think it’s more practical to leave him in the minors. But then, it’s not my $3.5M.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
Yes and no
What keeping him on the NHL roster and buying him out both would mean is that Melnyk doesn’t have to pay his money twice. If Cheechoo is sent to the AHL, Murray will likely still spend to the cap, meaning that Melnyk pays that $3.5M over again. By keeping him in the NHL, Murray’s hands are tied and he’s got to sleep in the bed he’s made.
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
anyway what the hell happend to this guy? I understand he was playing with Thornton all year when he scored 56 or whatever, but man they werent all tap ins. It take some skill to score that many. I just dont remember a player falling off that fast ever. Ollie Jokinen maybe, but hes still a better player than Cheech
by genomachine-O on Apr 22, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I think a lot of things happened. For one thing, it was the year after the lockout, so people were still getting used to it, and he took advantage of the openness. And he shot a lot more. I think it’s got a lot to do with his mental state, too: Things are going well, they keep going well, and when they’re not everything goes wrong/
by Peter Raaymakers on Apr 22, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Dude...
Go check out what fans of the Devils, Sabres and Habs are saying right now.
Down 3 games to 1 is a HUGE deficit regardless of what team you’re playing. That’s why in the entire history of the NHL, only 21 teams have ever come back from it (one of those 21 actually coming back from 3-0).
It’s fair to be despondent. We’d all love a win tonight but we’re all realists too. I’m going to cheer my heart out but if they lose, I can live with it. I’ve prepared for the worst already.
by Dr. Hansum B. Wunderful on Apr 22, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
exactly
Down 3-1 and you’re the lower seed? Facing defending Cup champs who have arguably the best player in the world currently on fire in the series? Any fanbase would be right to predict that their season is over.
Silver Seven: the Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators blogs.
The Pens have kind of made a habit of not showing up when they have a chance to put a team away though. WASH and PHILLY last year. First goal tonight will be huge for whoever gets it. I know that could be said about any game but, the Sens are the desperate team. If they score early that will give them some jump. The Pens wont be able to match their desperation and I think that could be huge for the Sens tonight.
The other way if the Pens get up first, that will be some tough battling for the Sens.
by genomachine-O on Apr 22, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
that one coming back 0-3 hurts me as a Pens fan…..and I wasnt even alive in ’75
by genomachine-O on Apr 22, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Good Luck Sens
I really appreciate you guys being class fans. The Penguins appear to be in command, but we should take nothing for granted. Should my Pens emerge victorious, let me appreciate you on a good season, but if Ottawa wins, I’ll be back here congratulating you guys. All the Ottawa residents I’ve met in my life have been really nice and that Miss Canada contestant for the 2010 pageant, Ottawa resident, Laura Marinelli=SUPER HOT!
Brad James
by the new Bradfather on Apr 22, 2010 4:33 PM EDT reply actions
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