Silver Nuggets: Milan Michalek out with a concussion

by Adnan on Dec 14, 2011 1:06 PM EST in Silver Nuggets

The NHL's leading goal scorer is out with a concussion. No, I don't mean Sidney Crosby, but Milan Michalek. He got hurt after colliding with Erik Karlsson in last night's win in Buffalo. Ottawa's two best players colliding with each other had the potential to get ugly but initially it looked like both players survived it. Michalek ended up playing a few shifts after, but didn't play in the third period. It turns out it wasn't his shoulder but a concussion.

On the bright side, Paul MacLean spoke to the media this morning and said that Michalek "felt way better" today and doesn't expect Michalek's year to be ruined. These things have a habit of lingering on though and according to Graeme Nichols this is Michalek's third concussion since 2006.

The Senators were already in tough tonight, playing the Boston Bruins, but Michalek's injury is only going to make the task that much harder. He's the only player in the NHL currently on pace for 50 goals.

Last game

Game recap. (Ottawa Sun, Senators Extra)
After outshooting Buffalo badly, it was a good night on Corsi for the Senators. Only Chris Neil, Zenon Konopka, Matt Carkner and Jesse Winchester ended up on the negative side. Erik Karlsson led the way at +12. (Time on Ice)
Here are the scoring chances. Rough night for Chris Neil on this too, being on the ice for one Ottawa scoring chance and five Buffalo chances. (The 6th Sens)

Tonight's game

Game preview. (Ottawa Sun)
Everyone but Jeremy Milks predict a Boston win tonight. Three people predict the Senators will fail to score a goal and four predict that Ottawa will only score once. Peter said 3-0 Boston. (Senators Extra)

General Sens News

Nikita Filatov spoke to Pavel Lysenkov while waiting in London for a connection to Moscow. He admits that the financial aspect was important in moving to Russia. He also felt he was playing well but just couldn't seem to score a goal but pointed out that he barely played in five of the nine games. Filatov didn't seem to think Paul MacLean was biased against him but did say that his time in Ottawa didn't help him much. Lastly, he got a bit upset when asked what is the point of ever going back to the NHL, answering with "What kind of a stupid question is that?" (Yahoo!)
Paul MacLean hopes to have one of Filip Kuba and Sergei Gonchar back for Friday's game against Pittsburgh. Can't come soon enough, both of them have been sorely missed. (Score Ottawa)
Jared Cowen has been playing well recently but Jason Spezza doesn't think Cowen is quite looking like Zdeno Chara yet. (Senators Extra)
Speaking of Chara, he likely will not play tonight but is officially a game time decision. (Ian Mendes)
If you want to go to tonight's game, Ibanez_Guy is hoping to sell or trade his tickets as he can't go. Check out his FanPost if interested. (Silver Seven FanPost)

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Comments

Michalek concussion? Terrible luck.

Poor guy. Just when it was looking like he would sustain his streak for a while longer.

Hopefully it’s a quick recovery — for his sake primarily.

by sensory_experience on Dec 14, 2011 1:13 PM EST reply actions

You say Ottawa's two best players were involved in the collision, but Z. Smith was on the bench at the time

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Dec 14, 2011 1:36 PM EST reply actions

Oh, he was involved alright.

He didn’t care enough to yell at them to watch out for each other.

by sensory_experience on Dec 14, 2011 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Of course

Makes sense

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Dec 14, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly. ;)

Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan

by Adnan on Dec 14, 2011 1:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

oh hey, thanks for the plug! I felt weird posting a ticket here, but Peter seemed to think it was ok. I have a tentative trader who wants to swap for Friday’s game against Pittsburgh, but it looks like it will be down to the wire whether or not we can meet up after work and before the game to swap. If anyone decides last minute that they want to go to the game tonight, send me an e-mail since they might still be available.

Worst-case scenario: I can’t sell them and I will just leave after the 2nd period. :)

by Ibanez_Guy on Dec 14, 2011 2:17 PM EST reply actions

The third period is the worst period to miss at a Sens game!

On the other hand…you will only leave 15 minutes earlier than the rest of our fans. ;)

Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan

by Adnan on Dec 14, 2011 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Hehe, I will probably leave a 3-0 Bruins lead and get home to see a 4-3 Sens win or something silly like that… I suppose it could also turn into a 7-0 Bruins win…. eek. :D

by Ibanez_Guy on Dec 14, 2011 2:25 PM EST reply actions

reply fail, but yeah...

by Ibanez_Guy on Dec 14, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Filatov interview with Lysenkov now linked

Darren mentioned this yesterday but I forgot to link it earlier.

Summary was: Filatov didn’t think he played bad and thought he was creating scoring chances, but couldn’t score, and pointed out that he played very little in 5 of the 9 games.

Said he had a good relationship with MacLean but his time in Ottawa didn’t help him much.

When asked what is the point of ever returning to NHL, Filatov said:

“What kind of a stupid question is that? The point is that the best league in the world is still there. I will be only 22 this summer. And I don’t see any reasons to say that I have no chances to break through in the NHL. Everyone’s career goes differently. Not always things come easy.”

Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan

by Adnan on Dec 14, 2011 2:31 PM EST reply actions

Awesome

That last quote was exactly what I was hoping to hear from him! He’s not giving up.

by Sports Fan! on Dec 14, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, it's not like there's no weights in Moscow.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Dec 14, 2011 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

There aren't.

You have to lift horses and chop wood.

by The Tif on Dec 14, 2011 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

if he dies, he dies.

Co-manager, Silver Seven

by DarrenM on Dec 14, 2011 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

for those unaware, I was quoting Rocky IV, not showing indifference as to the life of Filatov. I am 100% behind him living.

Co-manager, Silver Seven

by DarrenM on Dec 14, 2011 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

That's totally wrong

You only have to do those things if you’re NOT Russian. Filatov should have access to the best training money can buy.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Dec 14, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rocky IV montage

Hopefully he grows a badass beard from all the tree chopping and lifting bags of rocks.

modsuperstar dot ca | SlideawayMedia
Follow @modsuperstar

by modsuperstar on Dec 14, 2011 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Can we hook Filatov up on a training blind-date with Volchenkov?

by dzuunmod on Dec 14, 2011 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

I can't see that ending well for Filatov

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Dec 14, 2011 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

I think there's a reality show in there.

Think “The Simple Life” with Paris Hilton.

by dzuunmod on Dec 14, 2011 9:58 PM EST up reply actions

Today ... we get kicked in the chest by a horse.

No pads. If you can block a horse, you can block a puck!

by The Tif on Dec 15, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

I red

another interview in Russian and he very nice said about about Bingo and Kurt Kleinendorst. He said KK is the best AHL coach whom he knows and that he very helped him is is grateful him to it. Said Bingo has a great collective that there are great people.

it is here: http://hockey.sport-express.ru/reviews/18469/ in Russian ofcourse but Google Translator is here :)

Here about KK: Сыграл ли какое-то значение тот факт, что фарм-клуб “Оттавы” идет на последнем месте в АХЛ?

- Нет, это не имело никакого значения. В “Бинго” был отличный коллектив и прекрасный тренер. Среди всех тренеров, с которыми мне довелось поработать в АХЛ, он однозначно лучший. За тот короткий период времени, что я там провел, он успел меня многому научить. Я ему очень благодарен и за это, и за большое количество игрового времени, и вообще за все. Надо реально смотреть на вещи. Мой отъезд связан с тем, что КХЛ гораздо сильнее АХЛ. И опять же Москва – это мой дом.

by eru24 on Dec 14, 2011 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

That makes sense to me. I didn’t get the impression that Filatov had any problems with Bingo or playing in the AHL. It was the financial hit that was his big issue (at least that was my read of the situation).

by DW19 on Dec 15, 2011 11:18 AM EST up reply actions