SO the 2011-2012 Senators have made the playoffs. I am so happy proud excited etc. etc. There was little expectations we make it here some of us had hope that if a number of IFs (i.e. healthy players, bounce back veterans, stars play like they can and steady goaltending) were fulfilled we could do it. They were fulfilled and here we are. Going into the playoffs likely playing Bruins a proven playoff team we seem to be outmatched in a number of ways. I remember a number of years (99-2002, 2004,2006) the Senators had a very good team going in but could rarely ever step up the intensity when it mattered most. They were frequently plagued with "non-playoff" players (I.e. Mr. Yashin). The playoff players are the ones who come to play the big games they are clutch, they increase the intensity when it matters most, a winning team is filled with these players (i.e. Jonathan Toews).
So I thought could do a breakdown of the team a-la-Ups and Downs to see how well this team can be expected to perform in the playoffs. This will be based of of past playoffs (NHL. AHL, Junior) and also big tournaments like the Olympics and WC.
| Goaltenders | Trend | Notes |
| Craig Anderson |
|
Has been given the 'never won a playoff series before' label more than once but has not been under .920 in professional hockey playoff series. He was epic in Colorado in 2010 for that I know he comes to play |
| Alex Auld |
|
Can't do much worse than this season but has never been good in post season. I also am in favor of this movement |
| Ben Bishop |
|
Little playoff experience still a better option than Auld. Although unlikely Lehner would be a huge green arrow if we had him we know he comes to play the big games. |
| Defensemen | ||
| Matt Carkner |
|
Highlight of his career was in the his only NHL series but other than that I don't remember anything spectacular. |
| Jared Cowen |
|
Possibly one of the best parts of his game, he played 27 playoff games last year in 2 different leagues. I have big hopes for him. |
| Sergei Gonchar |
|
Former Sens Killer in the playoffs Gonch brings a cup ring and loads more experience to |
| Matt Gilroy |
|
I am unfamiliar with his playoff experience other than the 5 games with New York 2 years ago but if he cannot perform in the regular season when he knows he is on a try out basis I have little hope for the playoffs |
| Erik Karlsson |
|
Got 6 points in 6 Playoff games as a rookie. Hopefully he can keep that level of play with a target on his back. |
| Filip Kuba |
|
Has only been on a playoff team for 2 seasons before this one, put good numbers offensively but had a low plus/minus. I am hoping for the opposite more towards the Kuba 2012 version. |
| Chris Phillips |
|
One of the more interesting cases that ended on an even. Through the years I mentioned where the Senators lacked intensity Phillips was consistently a player who stepped it up. The last two series against Pittsburgh he was unable to handle the heavy load he was given. Also since his 1000th game he remembered how much fun hockey was and has been playing quite well. |
| Forwards | ||
| Daniel Alfredsson |
|
Has been the definition of clutch this season. Should be even better on the 2nd line with less of a target. |
| Bobby Butler |
|
Tore it up with Bingo last year....also tore it up with Ottawa last year WHERE ARE YOU Bobby 2011? |
| Erik Condra |
|
Great run with Bingo last year. Condra's best game is a simple one and I trust he can bring that. |
| Kaspars Daugavins |
|
Rooster is the kind of guy Don Cherry talks about 4th liners that bring the intensity and do everything they can to help. I didn't watch Latvia too much but from what I heard he was a big hustler for them in Vancouver. And this. |
| Nick Foligno |
|
A lesser version of himself in his two series with the Senators. Even though he put up great number in Junior in the playoffs those only matched his regular season output. |
| Colin Greening |
|
Point production was low in Calder Cup run, not sure if this was indicative of his play. The Cyborg plays 100% every night does he have a 110% function or does that break a Cyborg? |
| Rob Klinkhammer |
|
From a small sample size he appears to have under performed in the playoffs in junior and the AHL |
| Zenon Konopka |
|
No NHL playoff games under his belt despite 250 NHL games played. With his reputation and Winchester back I don't see him fitting in. |
| Milan Michalek |
|
As a part of an underachieving Shark squad he lacked significant presence or production in the post season, here's hoping he can turn it around. |
| Chris Neil |
|
May not hit his regular season production but we all know he brings the intensity you need to go deep in the playoffs. In the 6 games against the Pens in 2010 he had 3G, 1A and 20 PIM |
| Jim O'Brien |
|
Small sample size, but does not standout as a clutch performer/hustler. |
| Zack Smith |
|
Had a terrible series in 2010 went -4 with no points. Bounced back with almost 1 P/G in Bingo last year... hopefully that's the Smith we get. |
| Jason Spezza |
|
Has met his regular season production consistently. He will be a huge target for the opponents shut down line and top pair. The sens need him to hit the point per game Spezza we have always known. |
| Kyle Turris |
|
Appears to get it done in the post season. Stepped it up big today, it will be key for the sens to get secondary scoring more than ever. |
| Jesse Winchester |
|
He's here! Like Smith had a poor series vs. the Pens. Let's hope he has learned from it. |
So it looks like our defence does have that clutch forwards and goalies are about even.
Let me know what you all think especially the Bingo guys as I didn't watch those series hopefully they can bring it hard this year again i AM SO PUMPED this team has been playing clutch hustle hard nosed hockey all season and I have faith we can beat anyone, we shocked many by being here who says we are going to stop now.
Poll
Which Senator will step up most in the up coming playoffs?
Craig Anderson (28 votes)
Chris Phillips (4 votes)
Sergei Gonchar (6 votes)
Daniel Alfredsson (24 votes)
Chris Neil (1 vote)
Jared Cowen (7 votes)
Kaspars Daugavins (4 votes)
Other (6 votes)
I wish Lehner could be on this poll (8 votes)
88 total votes
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