Senators ups and downs: Week 15

by Mark Parisi on Jan 16, 2012 7:00 AM EST in Ottawa Senators ups and downs

(Ups and downs is a feature that recaps the individual performances of the Ottawa Senators for the last week. Craig Anderson.)

Yeah, so... You know that whole "Fail for Nail" thing from the start of the season? The Senators are doing it wrong. Playing against two of the most talented teams in the Eastern conference and Montreal, they went 3-0-0 on the week, earning six of six possible points on the road and outscoring their opponents 11-3 during those three games.

Nail Yakupov? Don't need him. The Senators' 146 goals (including shootouts) so far has them tied for third in the NHL with Chicago. The only two teams with more? Vancouver and Boston -- last year's Cup Finalists. Fourth in the NHL? Philadelphia. So that gives us four Cup contenders and Ottawa. Hm. And the team is adding to this mix next year with Mika Zibanejad and Jakob Sifverberg, who has 30 points in 32 games in the SEL this year. You'll probably hear more about those guys in Bobby Kelly's excellent prospect roundup tomorrow. The bottom line: The Sens are proving they're legit, and there's two more top-six prospects ready to join the team next year.

Biggest Gains: Craig Anderson
Remember the Anderson from last year? He's back: 3-0-0 on the week, .970 save percentage, 1 shutout, stopped all three Montreal shooters in the shootout. He might be the hottest player in the NHL right now. No exaggeration.

Biggest losses: Bobby Butler
It was really difficult to pick a biggest loser this week, because the Senators won all their games--and they did it with a team effort across all four lines. So why does a guy who was plus-2 and had a goal in three games get named the biggest loser? Well, it's certainly not because of his play. Let's just say this is more of a reflection the unfairness of Butler's continued presence on the fourth line--he's earned an opportunity for a bigger role in our eyes, yet he hasn't seemed to have gotten it. That sucks.

(read on for the full rundown...)

Okay, I believe you

Goalies	Trend	Notes
Craig Anderson		See "Biggest gains", then think about how awesome he is
Alex Auld		We suppose he might get a start against Winnipeg tonight, since there's a division game against Toronto on Tuesday, but as hot as Anderson has been, there's telling when Auld might play.
Defensemen
Matt Carkner		Flip a coin. Heads you have Matt Carkner...
Jared Cowen		Cowen is not playing as outstanding as he did earlier, but he is still better than average: 6 hits, 4 blocked shots, 3 shots on goal, and a plus-2 rating on the week.
Sergei Gonchar		Though the team's power play continues to be awful, Gonchar does not: he fired a perfect shot for Kyle Turris to tip in, keeping the Senators in a close game with Montreal.
Erik Karlsson		Missed a game as a punishment due to his awful mullet, then put up three points in two games. We're already taking him for granted. "Oh, another multi-point night from Karlsson? No big."
Filip Kuba		Kuba proved he wasn't just riding Karlsson's coattails by leading the Sens blueline against Pittsburgh while the young All-Star was out.
Brian Lee		... tails you have Brian Lee.
Chris Phillips		No own-goals this week, two assists, and five blocked shots against Montreal. Hard to find fault with him this week, especially considering his previous week.
Forwards
Daniel Alfredsson		No points this week, but scored the game-winning shootout goal against Montreal. To paraphrase Han Solo: He may not look like much, but he's got it where it counts.
Bobby Butler		See "Biggest losses", then email Paul MacLean and complain even though he's doing a better job coaching than we ever could.
Erik Condra		Did some great PK work this week, but just kinda chilled on his line as a whole.
Kaspars Daugavins		By our count he hit two posts this week, which is why he's on the fourth line and not a scoring line.
Nick Foligno		Three assists in three games. He seems to be playing well alongside Z. Smith.
Colin Greening		Four points in three games. The numbers don't lie--Greening created plenty of scoring chances this week.
Zenon Konopka		Konopka's ice time this week--9:45, 6:16, and 7:25 against Pittsburgh, New York, and Montreal respectively--is more an indication of the tight games Ottawa was in than any indictment of his play.
Milan Michalek		Three goals in three games. No assists in three games. He'd tell you his job was to score goals, but you wouldn't be able to understand him.
Chris Neil		A goal and twelve hits. An active Neil makes the third line better.
Zack Smith		A very quiet week from Ottawa's third line center. He's set the bar high for himself, so we'd like to see a little more in terms of offense.
Jason Spezza		Spezza's five points (4G, 1A) in three games put him at better than a point per game this year. Could have been the biggest gainer if not for Craig Anderson.
Kyle Turris		With a goal and an assist this week, Turris keeps plugging along. He's made the team's second line consistent, which is a huge factor in their winning streak.
Jesse Winchester		Unfortunately suffered a setback with his concussion, so he is out for the foreseeable future.

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Great post Mark

But nobody’s perfect. For my money, Auld was easily the biggest loser this week. The only Sen in a uniform on the bench who didn’t play and, with Anderson’s outstanding play and Auld’s previous not outstanding play, has people (okay, US) talking about whether BMurr needs to add a more reliable back-up backstopper. Auld stepping into a game is going to have a lot of us clinging to our seats…

Love that Big Game Chris got a coveted Green Arrow™ for not scoring on us!

Thought Turris maybe earned a green arrow with his continued positive play, generating offense, and showing that even BMurr can get a trade right once in a while (that is until Turris asks for a trade in the off-season).

by west-sider on Jan 16, 2012 7:41 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I dunno about Auld

The talk about adding a more reliable back-up only sprang up this past week, so far as I can tell, coinciding as much with Anderson’s improved play as anything else. I don’t think you can fault Auld for riding the pine this past week, since that’s what back-up goalies do. If he’d played a game and let in four or five goals, most of them bad, that would be another story.

I agree that Turris might have been awarded a green arrow, but I suppose it’s arguable. I thought Phillips deserved his, too.

The Marginal Virtues

by JonathanA on Jan 16, 2012 8:01 AM EST up reply actions

I know you were joking...

But I can’t see Turris wanting out of a situation like the one he’s in now. Think about it… Phoenix buried him on the third and fourth lines, and barely gave him any ice time. He swooped into Ottawa, and was immediately given the coveted 2nd line centre spot… a position he has really REALLY excelled at. Sens fans are loving this kid, and I’m sure he feels it. Plus, it’s a team full of young guys, with more on the way. This team has a RIDICULOUS amount of potential here, and coming down the pipe, so I would imagine he wants to be a part of that, and see where it all goes.

ALFIE! ALFIE! ALFIE!

by BigSlice on Jan 16, 2012 8:37 AM EST up reply actions

completely joking about Turris

was a poke at past trades where guys have wanted out or just chosen not to re-sign (or, to be fair, let walk).

I can certainly say my confidence in Auld is not what it used to be and i’m more sensitive to that fact given how well Anderson has played and that he’s basically won at least 2/3 of last week’s games for us (or put us in the position to be able to win – Mtl and NYR). I can’t say i’m as worried when Bobby Butler steps on the ice…

by west-sider on Jan 16, 2012 8:57 AM EST up reply actions

Assuming we don't trade for or sign any vets via ufa, in a couple of years' time,

Turris at 25 y.o will become one the vets on the team. Wow. If I were Turris, what’s there not to like in Ottawa? Talk about the changing of the guard! This is going to be one awesome, young team.

by whatsinaname on Jan 16, 2012 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

Havent checked Eklund yet this morning

is there a Turris trade (E3) there yet?

by west-sider on Jan 16, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions

I’m aware of the sillyness of Eklund, but can someone explain to me what the E3 means…?

by Ibanez_Guy on Jan 16, 2012 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

It's his ridiculous "rating" system

The higher the number, the more imminent the trade.

It’s all bullshit… I’m pretty sure Spezza for Kopitar was an E5 at one point.

ALFIE! ALFIE! ALFIE!

by BigSlice on Jan 16, 2012 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

I think it means he got the rumour from 2 "reliable" sources

or something like that. Something like a video game trade and/or a trade he made in a hockey pool.

by west-sider on Jan 16, 2012 9:15 AM EST up reply actions

It means "This is some bullshit I made up"

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Jan 16, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

Why, yes, traded back to Phoenix, for Rundblad.

by whatsinaname on Jan 16, 2012 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

I thought about it

But I don’t believe that Auld’s poor play got Anderson all three starts last week. I just think Anderson’s too hot to bench. I didn’t see how I could fault Auld for that, and believe me, I looked for ways.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Jan 16, 2012 10:55 AM EST up reply actions

I'd agree with that

If Anderson was playing poorly, or even average… maybe. But Auld not seeing ice time this past week would have been likely even if he wasn’t playing so badly this season.

by B_T on Jan 16, 2012 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

I'm dying to know if Auld gets the start tonight

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Jan 16, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

i'd rather start Auld against Winnipeg than vs. Toronto.

by west-sider on Jan 16, 2012 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

As would I

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Jan 16, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

He’s not.

I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.

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

by Adnan on Jan 16, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

Sometimes I want to question the Paulrus

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Jan 16, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

Like how sometimes I want to stick my hand in a fire?

I mean, some part of me wonders what it would feel like.

But I don’t. Because I know it’s stupid.

by RogerTheShrubber on Jan 16, 2012 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Pretty much

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Jan 16, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

sure but

it’s been a pretty busy couple of weeks and we have 4 games this week. I would have thought it would make sense for Auld to draw in – the fact we’ve built up games in hand (5 over Boston alone!) speaks to the fact there’s been a lot of hockey played by the Sens. For me, he’s not inspired the kind of confidence I’d want to have in a back-up and, imo, i would think it’s factored into how much Andy has played.

For me he’s a red arrow. i’ll agree to disagree though.

by west-sider on Jan 16, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

I think PM checked Anderson's pulse, found that he was alive and played him.....

because he’s the top 2-3 goalies in the league this past 2 weeks.

by whatsinaname on Jan 16, 2012 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

Bingo

You’d have been nuts to start Auld last week with how Andy’s been playing.

by B_T on Jan 16, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

Not Fair

Bobby Butler should not be the biggest loser when he is such a small guy.

He’s playing well enough on the 4th line. I suspect if he continues and Condra continues to play flat he will get a shot with Alfie & Turris. I think he took a couple of shifts with them on Saturday night already.

Common sense is the most evenly distributed quality in all the world.
Everyone thinks they have enough.

by havey03 on Jan 16, 2012 7:59 AM EST reply actions

Mark's comments admit that it isn't fair

That’s the point.

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by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 16, 2012 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

a red arrow is a red arrow

once, pierced, it cannot be undone.

by west-sider on Jan 16, 2012 8:58 AM EST up reply actions

So we're not going to retire Phillips immediately?

Or with retroactive effect to the start of last season?

by RogerTheShrubber on Jan 16, 2012 8:39 AM EST reply actions

There is no constructive criticism on the internet. Unless, of course, one of you is Chris Phillips – in which case, thanks for all the good years!

Also, “you should retire because you’re slow and incapable of doing your job” isn’t constructive criticism anywhere.

by RogerTheShrubber on Jan 16, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

Whoa, wait, who said that?

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by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 16, 2012 8:59 PM EST up reply actions

Paraphrase.

But there was a lot of “Phillips is too slow now” and “Phillips is too old now”, and suggestions that he’s cooked and a waste of money. Since one can’t really improve those things, that’s not terribly constructive.

I think our old friend gwplant was correct in pointing out that his bad weekend probably had a lot to do with the lingering effects of a concussion.

by RogerTheShrubber on Jan 17, 2012 10:29 AM EST up reply actions

That's not paraphrasing...

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by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 20, 2012 10:23 PM EST up reply actions

TOO LEGIT

TOO LEGIT TO QUIT

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by Peter Raaymakers on Jan 16, 2012 8:46 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Hmm... rec or flag... rec or flag...

The sensible part of me says flag. The child of the 80s part of me says rec.

Child of the 80s wins.

by B_T on Jan 16, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

It's going to be interesting next year, seeing where all the young guys fit.

I’m guessing Mika might be given extra time to develop. We’ve got a full roster and a few guys knocking on the door already.

by Pmoron on Jan 16, 2012 8:57 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I’m assuming that next year, he could be sent to Binghampton?

by west-sider on Jan 16, 2012 9:02 AM EST up reply actions

Can't send him to Bingo though, so it's still NHL or Sweden

On that basis, someone else might get an extra year in Bingo.

by RogerTheShrubber on Jan 16, 2012 9:03 AM EST up reply actions

how long does that go on for? I can’t see him cracking our top 2 at center. He’s not going to bump Z.Smith from the 3rd line. and it just seems dumb putting him on the 3rd. Unless he grabs a winger spot from somebody, I just don’t see him in our line-up next yr unless it’s to do what Tyler Seguin did last year in Boston.

by west-sider on Jan 16, 2012 9:18 AM EST up reply actions