Lehner to start tonight, Butler in for Alfredsson
The Ottawa Senators have made quite a few lineup changes for tonight's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
In a surprise move (at least it was a surprise to me), Robin Lehner will be starting in nets for the Sens after Craig Anderson played last night. Cory Clouston wasn't shy to play the same goaltender in back-to-back games, but it appears Paul MacLean isn't as keen on the idea. Tonight's game will be Lehner's first start of the year, and his first regular-season game as part of the Battle of Ontario. His NHL record so far is 1-4 with a 3.52 GAA and a .888 SP.
Up front, Bobby Butler is in the lineup tonight to fill in for Daniel Alfredsson. Many assumed Nikita Filatov, who was recalled yesterday, would play, but some are speculating that the Filatov recall was recalled in the event Zenon Konopka was suspended (which he hasn't been). Either way, Filatov appears to be sitting in the press box tonight.
There have been no updates on the health of Alfredsson.
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Lehner not only thinks he belongs in the NHL, but Filatov too
"He doesn’t belong down there (in the AHL)…he could score a little bit whenever he felt like it. He’s a great player with great skill, can score. Just try to find a groove up here and see what happens. I think he can contribute here."
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
He could score a little bit whenever he felt like it
This sentence confuses me.
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
When he doesn't feel like it
He scores a lot?
Filatov
So I guess Bryan Murray heard all the complaints when he sent Filatov to Binghamton, so he decided to bring him back up… to sit in the press box. Ok I understand that they weren’t sure about who would/wouldn’t be able to play out of Alfie, Konopka and Butler, but I’d still rather see Filatov in a game. NHL game preferably.
I trust the management
But calling Filatov up just to put him in the press box seems dickish, especially when Bingo is playing Hershey tonight.
It’s a case of doing what is best for the Ottawa Senators, and not worrying about the farm club. Unfortunately that’s the way the system works. If the Sens were concerned that they would be short Konopka, or whether Bustler would be good to go, then they have to call up a player to cover their asses. I know playing with 7 d-men didn’t work last time we tried it.
by modsuperstar on Oct 30, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Is there a window where you have to call them up by?
Like they had to call him up last night? Couldn’t they have waited on a verdict on Konopka?
Nope. No window.
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
well binghamton is in new york
and thus he has to travel a decent distance, go through customs, blahblahblah.. so they obviously want him in at least the night before or the morning of so he has time to settle in a bit in case he is playing
Agreed.
I’m also wondering if they want him to just watch the first game from the press box.
by Pmoron on Oct 30, 2011 5:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I doubt it.
I imagine they just wanted to be sure he was rested enough to play if they needed him.
Oh Captain, my Captain!
Objectivity blogging?
And Adnan would have no problem seeing Konopka coming out of the lineup to get Filatov into the lineup even though one is a bottom and one was brought in to score goals in the top …of course his objectivity is a bit in question "sens_adnan Adnan@gwplant Okay. I am biased. I don’t like Zenon Konopka. Now get over it. :)
That was in response to you repeatedly sending me messages on twitter because I don’t find Zenon Konopka to be useful. I was getting tired of you.
But in any case, this article isn’t written by me and my personal twitter account is just my opinion and doesn’t have anything to do with this blog.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Readers should understand for any future blogs posted by you that your objectivity may be in question, based on something in which I have not been able to understand other than personal non fact base sentiment.
I think your objectivity about this entire issue is biased
I call it into question. How can you objectively discuss his opinion when your opinion about him is biased towards the negative? I think readers should understand that future comments posted by you may be contaminated by opinion.
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
My “opinion” is based on the fact that this individual stated that he “doesn’t like the player”, my “opinion” is based on facts and self admission.
If you are well aware of what his opinion and stance on the issue/player is,
Then reading his articles, posts and comments shouldn’t be an issue. If you’re 90% sure he doesn’t like Konopka, and he writes about him, then take those portions of his articles with a grain of salt. You don’t need to call into question his objectivity as a whole, that just seems uncalled for.
Besides, I think Adnan (and all of the other writers here) do a very good job of noting what is opinion-based and what isn't
And I have absolutely zero question about their objectivity when it comes to things not noted as opinion.
This is really the whole point
We don’t try to take our opinions out of our posts. Blogging isn’t really about hiding your opinions. What we try to do is note any biases we have in forming those opinions, or in conducting that analysis.
Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay
by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 30, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it's fairly clear you hate the senators
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
“I think it’s fairly clear you hate the senators”
How and why would you surmise based on my posts that I “hate the senators” as I am what can be construed as “sticking up” for a present player? You are making no sense..
That Adnan
What a bad guy.
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
I know, I mean
What is he hiding behind all those smiley face emoticons?
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't think he's hiding anything. I think it's a clue.
He’s really The Joker.
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
You sir, are my new hero.
What weighs six and half ounces, sits in a tree, and is very dangerous?
by Pmoron on Oct 30, 2011 4:20 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
I don’t think given the format of this blog that’s it’s wrong to have biases. The so called journalists in Ottawa have pretty obvious ones, even though they’re supposed to be subjective.
by modsuperstar on Oct 30, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
plus
his opinion is biased because it’s his opinion. I think Konopka is a plug as well. I don’t understand why he’s here and what his role is. He’s good on faceoffs….that’s about it.
I’d much rather watch Filatov “struggle and play terribly” than watch Konopka do nothing to improve the long-term of the Sens. Filatov should be a long-term component. Zenon?
Are you asking me or are you telling me?
You're an expert?
So you're an expert?
So you saw it...you're saying you saw it on the...you're an expert?
You're not an expert.
Mount Andy Sutton - Erik Karlsson's greatest partner ever.
You are comparing apples and oranges and you talk about taking out a bottom 6 forward for a top 6…the math doesn’t add up, all of you “bloggers” have “opinions” based on what you see on the surface without taking the time to investigate the issue further, not that I am going to get an honest answer but have any of you actually taken the 30 secs to look up ZK’s stats prior to the NHL? Championships won? Comments by former teammates, coaches and managers? Yet you are quick to categorize him and say that he brings nothing to this team…shortsightedness and easy just to “opinionated” without knowing or taking the time to get all the facts. Calling him a plug really is just naive and frankly offensive based what he has done to make it this far in this career.
Oh! I can answer this one!
Former teammate of Konopka’s, to me personally, face to face: “Zenon Konopka can’t handle a puck to save his life.”
Game. Set. Match.
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Suuuureee you did…you do realize that less than 1% of hockey players make it to the NHL?? He must know how to do something with the puck…oh wait 20+ goal scorer in the minors…ya he doesn’t know what to do with a puck.
Funny, that was from an NHLer who also put up points in the minors
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
But I digress. This is going nowhere positive.
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Plenty of 20 goal scorers in the minors that couldn't even make the NHL
Minor numbers mean nothing once you’re in the big league.
Sidebar: Stop being a dick
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
gwplant — please stop antagonizing people. You’re starting to troll and you’re offering nothing constructive. You’re just arguing for the sake of arguing, and as Ryan said, you’re being a dick about it.
If you continue to needlessly argue and only create negativity in the comments, you will be banned. If you change your tone and start having good things to say, you’re more than welcome to stick around.
Co-manager, Silver Seven
Sorry I thought i was saying good things about Zenon Konopka…a current Ottawa Senator…as far as negativity it is others referring to him as a “plug”…I am defending a player with facts against those who are the ones using the negativity….
Other people are criticizing Zenon Konopka. You’re criticizing other people. This is where the difference lies.
We don’t all have to be positive about every Ottawa Senators — we’re all going to have players we like or dislike for different reasons.
Co-manager, Silver Seven
by the way
I’ve been a little disappointed at all the negative comments about Kovaloaf – I mean Kovalev. And that includes my own comments.
And Danny Heatley is NOT the devil. He has feelings too.
by west-sider on Oct 30, 2011 3:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
DANY Heatley on the other hand...
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I never said Heatley was the devil.
I just called him a douchebag, and I stand by that. If he has hurt feelings, he can take it up with me in person.
Oh Captain, my Captain!
You're deliberately attacking posters and bloggers on this site
I don’t know what your problem is, or why you feel that this Konopka debate is your personal crusade to portray as many people in a negative light as possible, but it’s childish. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Even you. But leading a crusade against them for having their own opinion? It’s pathetic at best.
Sorry, that was my opinion. I can see how you’d discount it. I mean, heaven forbid I have even the slightest bit of bias. I’m sorry. I forgot that you were perfect.
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Now I bicker with Adnan quite a bit
But this sounds like you have a personal grudge or something. I don’t get it. And we’ve covered (a few times) the fact that the posts on this site aren’t objective. People don’t come here for objective reporting, they come to read analysis.
Oh Captain, my Captain!
TONIGHTS GAME PLAN:
Shut down Phil f-in Kessel.. That is all!
by Eric Cartman on Oct 30, 2011 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
18 goals in 32 career games against the Senators?

Dernit.
The Leafs are my Rushmore
Certified Grabbo Lover and member of the PPPPP
I also write things about stuff over at the Leafs Nation
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Oct 30, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He only has 1 play
Skate down the right wing and shoot.
Every time he’s open for that I feel like Mugatu freaking out because he’s he only one who’s noticed that Derek Zoolander only has 1 look.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think you’ve been watching Phil this year.
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 30, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s like an electron, you can know where he is or you can know where he’s going, but you can’t know both.
The Leafs are my Rushmore
Certified Grabbo Lover and member of the PPPPP
I also write things about stuff over at the Leafs Nation
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Oct 30, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Kessel has been awesome so far
Hopefully Giggles passes him in points tonight though. ;)
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Um
He’s on the right wing and he’s going to skate down the right wing and take a snap shot. I think that covers both.
It is a good snap shot though, I’ll give you that.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t see Kessel as a one-trick pony, at all. Doesn’t he skates down the wing because he’s a winger?;)
Really, I just think he’s got great speed and he’s using it when the opportunity’s there. I mean why wouldn’t he?
I see Ovi as someone who overuses the same move. Skate 2 feet over the blue-line, cut towards the middle, use the defender as a screen, etc.
by Pmoron on Oct 30, 2011 2:56 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
ya...
people still, for whatever reason, just haven’t fully zoned in on shutting him down yet. he has a quick release snap shot that ovi had so much success with for so long (which i’ll attribute wholly to kessel’s 75 flex stick… WTF eh?) that just seems to fool goalies when he gets to that circle… kessel is a one trick pony: snap shot/wrist shot.. he is just REALLY effing good at it. the best way to stop him is to force him to the outside and force him to try to make a move on you. he doesn’t have the best hands to dangle people, he’s just exceptional at getting it into ppls skates and letting that shot off. i feel like kuba and karlsson may have success on him as they tend to play more positional and with the sticks whereas a physical player trying to push kessel will likely fail as he has incredible core strength and will still get that shot off. it’s all about angling him and taking the stick! book it!
He's like Heatley a bit
Defenses figured out Heater was just parking beside the net, so his numbers dropped until he moved to the hash marks and stared doing that thing with his stick up like a periscope. Now they’ve figured that out too and he’s more limited.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
OMG.. SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT!!
Someone needs to just lay him out when he does that!.. I miss A-train.. We should unleash Cowen on him tonight. Or let Neil piss him off all night!
by Eric Cartman on Oct 30, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
He does use that play a lot, but this season he has been a much more effective playmaker and been finding open areas of the ice a lot better.
The Leafs are my Rushmore
Certified Grabbo Lover and member of the PPPPP
I also write things about stuff over at the Leafs Nation
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Oct 30, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Probably true
I’ve only seen the game against the Sens this year, so I’m definitely speaking based on past seasons. I’ll have to keep a closer eye out tonight.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s like how Darcy Tucker seemingly scored 90% of his goals standing on the back post and putting it into the open net on the powerplay. I always found it incomprehensible that nobody would be defending that particular play.
by modsuperstar on Oct 30, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
That was a thing for a while
Kovavlev scored a shit ton of goals from that spot too on the power play that one year when he had a sudden resurgence.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Filatov better up his game or at least have some good presence
or he’s just another bust.
correct
tonight is his last chance to do anything. He is 21 after all…if he doesn’t score a hatty tonight and nail Phaneuf he’s done.
wait…….what?
"I couldn't score in a brothel...couldn't finish a sandwich"
- Joe Corvo
Gonna be *real* fun to watch him do that from his seat in the press box.
What’s he going to do, lob popcorn at the net from on high?
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
Okay . . . pull the Daffy Duck / Bugs Bunny trick . . .
Start with PRO-Leaf chants, then reverse it!
Genius!
NOT THE WAVE! ANYTHING BUT THE WAVE!
If he starts singing Cotton-Eyed Joe…
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
BAH BAH BAH
Sterling Snakehouse - Silver Seven
by Ryan Classic on Oct 30, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Then Bruce Garrioch will elbow him in the head.
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
Actually I don’t but they play it all the Sea. Dogs games and the kids go ape-shit – it’s like a primal thing.
by west-sider on Oct 30, 2011 3:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
While you leaf fans are here
Can we talk about Colton Orr?
A number of Senators players who are perceived to be brawlers with very little hockey skill are actually fairly unpopular with the fans – for instance Lessard (and dare I say….monoplane?).
I had Konopka written there, not “monoplane”, but the iPad autocorrected it and I couldnt bring myself to fix it.
So while you’re here, what’s your view on Colton Orr?
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 3:04 PM EDT reply actions
SkinnyFish said it best:
No place is this more clear than in the boxscore where Matt Frattin had a team low 9:46 of icetime; the only player under 10 minutes. Think about that for a second. 17 out of 18 skaters played more than 10 minutes in a 60 minute hockey game. That’s ridiculous, but it’s paying off in spades as the team has looked much fresher in the 3rd period over the last two games, and is especially important because the Leafs play Ottawa tomorrow.
As a Toronto sports fan I proudly follow the lessons of lachrymology.
"He drives that new car around town and feels really good about it." - Ron Wilson
"Vancouver, BC: A massive inferiority complex with a city." - TheOtherAndrew
"HOPE is more than a postponed disappointment" - Epica
Does that answer my question?
Is Orr not playing or something?
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
2 gp
Lupul Connolly Kessel
MacArthur Grabbo Kuli
Lombardi Bozak Frattin
Brown Steckel Dupuis
As a Toronto sports fan I proudly follow the lessons of lachrymology.
"He drives that new car around town and feels really good about it." - Ron Wilson
"Vancouver, BC: A massive inferiority complex with a city." - TheOtherAndrew
"HOPE is more than a postponed disappointment" - Epica
Leafs have been benching Orr most of the time. The 7-2-1 record seems to show that he isn’t needed to win games.
Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.
That's the sports-fan version of "talk to the badge"
Your record indicates that you’ve been playing good hockey. But fighters aren’t specific to bad hockey teams. It’s not like losing teams are keeping a fighter around to help win games. And good teams have them to protect their top guys.
Anyhow, I’d just like to see some of the battle of Ontario games without the show-fights. For some reason both teams have been bringing in their fighters for these games for years no and it’s getting tired. I don’t care that Colton Orr can beat up a defenseman that plays 16-20 minutes a night, and I won’t care if we bring in a fighter who can’t play hockey but can beat up Colton Orr. Only Mike Milbury and Don Cherry care about that.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
And the Leafs' well-restedness was the deciding factor in their loss, no?
Shawn McEachern: The best Senator to ever wear 15.
by Speedy_McEachern on Oct 30, 2011 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

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