Silver Nuggets: Upcoming five game homestand is crucial

by Adnan on Feb 1, 2012 1:00 PM EST in Silver Nuggets

The Ottawa Senators have lost four games in a row, all in regulation. While they are still sixth in the eastern conference, they have dropped to eighth in the east in terms of points per game. That's the bad news.

The good news is that the Senators played very well last night in a road game against the Stanley Cup champions. Despite being unlucky on several counts (no power plays, an own-goal, a centre-ice goal) the Senators were right in the game to the end. They will also play the next five games at home starting with the Islanders on Friday, the Maple Leafs on Saturday as well as the Blues, Predators and Oilers next week. The Senators are 14-9-1 at home and the Predators are the only club of the five with a winning record on the road.

This is a very winnable stretch of games for Ottawa, with no travel and relatively easy opponents compared to the schedule in January. A strong run here could help Ottawa open up a gap again for the last playoff spot. Losing the first two games on home ice, especially against the Maple Leafs, and the wheels might start to come off.

It is obvious to say that if the Senators win, things are good, if they lose, it is bad. But, this could be a defining stretch of games for the Senators season. By the end of the trip, there will be only two weeks left until the trade deadline, so the results here could very well shape what Bryan Murray does.

Here are today's links:

Recap from last night. (Silver Seven, Ottawa Sun, Senators Extra)
Bryan Murray doesn't want to disrupt any chemistry among the club's current players. Some people want Chris Kelly back...where exactly is he going to play? (Ottawa Sun)
The digital face-off thinks Alfie should have been the MVP of the all-star game. Also, apparently Eugene Melnyk said on the weekend that Robin Lehner will be called up at some point this season. (Ottawa Sun)
Bobby Butler's goalless drought is now at 12 games and he isn't shooting a whole lot either. (Telegram & Gazette)
The Senators have allowed the first goal for eight consecutive games. (Ian Mendes)
A list of ten rental defenceman available. Would you like anyone on the list? Please don't say Andy Sutton. (Pro Hockey Talk)
Paul MacLean was very upset with the players at practise. (Dan Séguin)
Colin Greening might have scored last night, but he was replaced on the top line by Erik Condra. Chris Phillips didn't practise. (Score Ottawa)

Tweet Comment 29 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

As much as I love Chris Kelly, it’s hard to see where he fits in. I mean, I suppose you could slot him as a third line centre and have Z. Smith as arguably the league’s best 4th line centre, but it seems like a silly move. The team has a number of holes, but third line centre isn’t really one of them.

Co-manager, Silver Seven

by DarrenM on Feb 1, 2012 1:17 PM EST reply actions

I'm in agreement there

I’d rather see that money spent elsewhere.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Feb 1, 2012 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

I was thinking yesterday that Andy Sutton would be a good addition

I’d rather have him on the second pairing than Phillips, to be honest.

I’d also love to pick up Marek Zidlicky, but I’m going to write a blog post on that for tomorrow morning.

Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay

by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 1, 2012 1:25 PM EST reply actions

I don’t know if he is better than Phillips or not, but Phillips isn’t on the 2nd pairing.

Which one of Gonchar or Cowen would you want to bump off 2nd pairing?

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 Feb 1, 2012 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

Probably Gonchar

Then Gonchar and Phillips can play at the bottom, and the Gonch can get more powerplay time.

Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay

by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 1, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

That would help Phillips certainly. As Phillips/Carkner or Phillips/Lee tend to spend a lot of time in their own zone.

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 Feb 1, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

I LOVED Andy Sutton when he was here and would love to have him back. His hits are devastating and he plays super hard when there is somthing on the line. Bring back Andy!!!!

by Drockidy on Feb 1, 2012 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

He also tends to get suspended a lot doesn’t he?

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 Feb 1, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

He's had 3 NHL suspensions since 98-99

Though 2 were this year, which is probably where you got that perception. His other suspension was for 4 games in 05-06.

by B_T on Feb 1, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Oh. Yeah I thought he got 5 games and then 8 games or something very recently.

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 Feb 1, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Yep

5 games handed out Nov 1st, 8 games handed out Dec 10th.

And he missed 7 games due to groin injury in between.

by B_T on Feb 1, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

Not really

4 suspensions in over 10 years in the league is not that bad all things considered and never in the playoffs. Huge reach, intimidation, team guy, not attitude problems, pre-existing relationship with B. Murray and other players, cheap, playing close to home. What is not to like.

by Drockidy on Feb 1, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Plus I think he's changed

I’ll admit I don’t watch much Oilers hockey, but I think he’s still been hitting—but he hasn’t been doing so in violation of the rules anymore.

Which is a plus.

Silver Seven | Twitter | Facebook | E-mail | eBay

by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 1, 2012 10:10 PM EST up reply actions

Are you an expert?

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

by havey03 on Feb 2, 2012 7:35 AM EST up reply actions

I'm terrified by this homestand

Should make for tense but interesting times

He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.

by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 1, 2012 1:45 PM EST reply actions

An Maclean sounds like he is losing his fun...

Our Sens need that fun

by Beanster on Feb 1, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

he's gotta smarten those kids up!

it’s what they need nowadays. play a full damn 60 mins of awesome hockey.

by AAZZ on Feb 1, 2012 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

I feel like this caption is so obviously false

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Feb 1, 2012 2:03 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Yes

I was going to say something along those lines… in ALL CAPS

The Marginal Virtues

by JonathanA on Feb 1, 2012 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

I also thought Alfie should have been MVP

Gaborik disappeared when Lundqvist did.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Feb 1, 2012 2:06 PM EST reply actions

He did have an awesome celebration though.

But yeah Alfie should have won it if it was remotely close.

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 Feb 1, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

His celebration was hilarious

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Feb 1, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

The rebuilding Sens have lost their new car smell

We need to win these games. We need to score first, and soundly defeat our opponents in regulation time. If we fail to win at least three of these games, I am certain heads will roll, considering our performance in this past road trip.

As sentimentally attached as I am to this teams current lineup, there is definitely room for improvement from within their ranks; maybe not as much as I would like to see, however, Paulrus has given them plenty of leeway to find themselves. Lets hope is is not enough rope to hang themselves.

There is room in the lineup, and room in the budget to make moves. Personally, I am hoping a series of resounding victories will make this kind of talk moot. I hope we get to see more of our prospects given an opportunity to make a name for themselves rather than importing someone at the deadline. I think if we needed any of the abailable talent that is being touted, we would have landed them already.

by Aenesidemus on Feb 1, 2012 6:14 PM EST reply actions

Heads will roll?

You’re overreacting.

Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs

by Mark Parisi on Feb 1, 2012 8:27 PM EST up reply actions

I thought that seemed a bit hyperbolic too

He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.

by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 1, 2012 8:32 PM EST up reply actions

Hyperbolerific

Sorry if I sounded a bit dramatic…however, the pressure is on, and there are definitely jobs/positions on the line. Heads may not roll in an organizational sense, but it is fair to say, if we dont perform well during this home stand, franchise affecting decisions could be made.

Hmm. We have over achieved – I am sure there is a lot of pressure to try to keep that going.

by Aenesidemus on Feb 1, 2012 9:02 PM EST reply actions

I get where you're coming from...

…but I would like to think the professionals in charge of our fair organization are a bit more rational and cool headed and won’t panic. Remember at the start of the season, we were all saying that ANY success this season would be gravy, a bonus! Why should that change now just because we’ve gotten a lot more success than we anticipated? I really hope they stay the course, don’t sell our future for what will in all likelihood be a 1st or 2nd round exit from the playoffs (if we even make it) and just enjoy the year for whatever it ends up being. Playoff experience for our young players would be great, and I think we can achieve that if the team keeps pushing hard, but the makeup of the team should not be changed drastically at the player level nor at the management level even if we lose every single game from now until the end of the season (as an extreme and unlikely eventuality).

by Pirateninjabot on Feb 1, 2012 10:05 PM EST up reply actions

You know you’re part of a motley crew when “Pirateninjabot” is the voice of wisdom.

He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.

by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 2, 2012 10:01 AM EST up reply actions

OK - well said. Thank you for that.

I will hold tight. I just worry sometimes – “Mother Hen Sydrome” they call it.The egg is coming – and when it h atches…Wow. Win or lose – I love this team as they are. It is just so much easier to love them when they win for no reason, as opposed to losing for many reaons.

What they have done so far is incredible. I am selfish and greedy. Kind of like Daffy Duck.

But I will be hopeful and patient now – like Bugs.

by Aenesidemus on Feb 2, 2012 1:41 AM EST reply actions