Senators Ups and Downs: Week 1

If you are wondering if I could possibly be so petty as to assign arrows indicating a trend based on a sample size of one game, wonder no more: the answer is yes. And if you think it's just going to be a lovefest because the Senators are undefeated as of the time you're reading this, think again, because I have standards. And I like my standards like I like my women: High.

Wait...

Biggest gains: Erik Karlsson

I wrote up this beautiful, effusive, flowery praise about him, but I decided to throw it all out and let the facts speak for themselves: Most of us were wondering if Karlsson could maintain his pace from last season, and in a game where even his coach feels he could have played better, he had a goal and two assists.

Biggest loses: Robin Lehner

Lehner's NHL chances this season were predicated on Anderson faltering. As the arrows will soon show, that did not happen. So now, through absolutely no fault of his own, he's probably headed back to Binghamton. Sorry, Drago. Your time will come! I believe!

Goalies	Trend	Notes
Craig Anderson		A down arrow seemed inevitable after a pretty shaky first period. But someone must have updated his watch for the start of the second, because he shut the door and gave his teammates a chance to win, like he does most nights.
Ben Bishop		Press boxed in favor of Lehner. Last year he was turfed in favor of Brian Elliott. When he finally gets his shot, no one can say he didn't earn it.
Robin Lehner		See "Biggest losses."
Defensemen
Andre Benoit		Benoit saved a goal, which is great, but he also got flattened by a heavy forecheck, which is not great. His size is not his fault, but it does limit his upside.
Sergei Gonchar		We all hated him--until he headed to the locker room. Panic revealed our true feelings.
Erik Karlsson		See "Biggest gains.'
Mike Lundin		Currently injured but should be back soon. Better hurry--this is a great opportunity for him.
Marc Methot		What Mehot lacks in skill, he makes up for in hustle. Hustle is good.
Chris Phillips		Looks out of place playing second-pairing minutes. Got smoked by Evander Kane.
Patrick Wiercioch		Encouraging stuff in his debut, including the awareness to spring Michalek for the team's first goal of the year.
Forwards
Daniel Alfredsson		Don't panic; it's just rust.
Erik Condra		Quietly led his line with three shots on goal.
Kaspars Daugavins		Odd man out in the first game. Don't see that changing in the second game.
Colin Greening		Looked stronger this year, but not much else so far.
Guillaume Latendresse		A few good chances early don't excuse two penalties. Top six guys can't be putting their teammates on the PK like that.
Milan Michalek		A great goal helped the Sens turn the game around.
Chris Neil		Stupid penalties are washed out by goals.
Jim O'Brien		He really played a solid game on the fourth line.
Peter Regin		Liked the way he played, but he curiously got very little ice time.
Jakob Silfverberg		Didn't look out of place in his debut, which is all I was expecting. Now he just has to grow into his role.
Zack Smith		A pretty rough two periods, but he really turned it on in the third period. It was almost Z. Smith, and not Erik Karlsson, who blew the game wide open.
Jason Spezza		Has to do more offensively, especially against a team like the Jets.
Kyle Turris		Didn't show much chemistry with his linemates, but scored a goal himself. Nothing wrong with that.