Senators Ups and Downs: Week 17

Another week, another 3 of 6 possible points. That keeps the Ottawa Senators within striking distance of a playoff spot, and that's going to have to be good enough. Anyone who expected a 10-game winning streak was expecting too much, but any time the team wants to rattle off another 5-game winning streak instead of merely .500 hockey would be a good time.

Biggest gains: Erik Karlsson

We strongly considered going with Kyle Turris here, but Karlsson is simply out of control right now. It's a rare week where his point totals (1G, 2A in 3 games) do not reflect how well he's playing. Oh, and he's hitting guys now? Sold!

Biggest losses: Robin Lehner

Last week, Lehner was the biggest gainer with a shutout in his only performance. This week he had a five-goal stinker in his only performance.

Goaltenders	Trend	Notes
Craig Anderson		Nothing wrong with Andy's play this week. He was easily the better of the two goalies.
Robin Lehner		See "Biggest losses."
Defensemen
Cody Ceci		Just wait until next year when he's not getting the easy matchups and he's the easy whipping boy instead. It's coming.
Joe Corvo		Tough to see where Corvo draws back in. Perhaps some other team is looking for a veteran puck-mover on a cheap contract?
Jared Cowen		Seven hits alone against the Washington Capitals.
Eric Gryba		We're rarely impressed with Gryba, who seems more one-dimensional than anyone on the blue line, but he was a serious force in his own end this week.
Erik Karlsson		See "Biggest gains."
Marc Methot		So much drama over nothing here.
Chris Phillips		Despite 10 hits in 3 games, it was not his best week with defensive assignments.
Patrick Wiercioch		No room for him at the moment, which is kind of a blessing because he gets the development without the scrutiny.
Forwards
Cory Conacher		Just one assist for Conacher this week.
Erik Condra		Pretty invisible.
Stephane Da Costa		Remember when we were talking about him as a second-line center? That's probably not going to happen.
Colin Greening		He's part of the Ghost Line with Erik Condra!
Matt Kassian		Did not play this week.
Clarke MacArthur		Remains on fire with 5P (1G, 4A) in 3 games. Those are Karlsson numbers!
Milan Michalek		We like to see Michalek's effect match his will. No points, but at least you notice him.
Chris Neil		Scored his 100th goal and it earned the team a point. Good enough.
Bobby Ryan		No goals, but two assists in three games. Ryan's still involved in the offense.
Z. Smith		Had a pretty important assist on Neil's goal.
Jason Spezza		3P (1G, 2A) in 3 games. Skating faster than we've seen for much of the season.
Mark Stone		Injured his wrist in practice and now the lines are all out of whack. The Senators are going to trade for Thomas Vanek because Mark Stone can't skate and hit the boards at practice.
Kyle Turris		He's awesome.
Mika Zibanejad		Did anyone else notice that once moved to Spezza's wing, it was Spezza who wound up playing more of the winger role while Zibanejad played more like a center? Just one of those little captain things, trying to make a linemate feel comfortable.

Special thanks to our friend winterion at Japers' Rink for our icons!