Ups and Downs: Week 19

Pretty good week for the Senators performance-wise (though not for the tanking crowd). A win against Buffalo, a comeback, overtime loss to Pittsburgh, and a blowout victory against Edmonton resulted in five out of a possible six points this week.

Biggest Gain: Milan Michalek

Perhaps it's a little surprising to see Michalek here, given his struggles for much of the season, but he's been much better of late. This was probably his best week of the season: he scored the game winner against Buffalo and had two goals and three points against Pittsburgh along with six shots in the game. Perhaps it's his linemates, perhaps it's his opportunities, perhaps it's that he's figured out how to adapt without as much speed, but Michalek is certainly making the most out of it lately.

Biggest Loss: Chris Phillips

I hope Phillips enjoyed his record-breaking game and accompanying ceremony against Washington. He hasn't played since. A scratch against Columbus, he was then a healthy scratch for all three games this past week. It's easy to pick on Phillips these days, but in what was a relatively successful week for the team, he's simply the best candidate. Starting to feel like this might be permanent.

Goaltenders	Trend	Notes
Craig Anderson		Get well soon!
Robin Lehner		Great against Buffalo with a 97.2 SV%, bad against Pittsburgh with a 86.2 SV%, and good against the Oilers with a 92.6 SV%. It all balances out.
Defensemen
Mark Borowiecki		Not the greatest possession numbers against Pittsburgh, but wasn't alone in that regard among Sens defenseman. Not as good as last week, but still solid with 9 hits and a fight as well.
Cody Ceci		Scratched against Buffalo, Ceci responded with an assist against Pittsburgh and a goal against Edmonton. His possession numbers were a bit rough this week, but it was still a good response after being a healthy scratch.
Jared Cowen		Candidate for biggest loss. Not a good week for Cowen. He was ok against Buffalo, but had a really bad game against Pittsburgh. He played just a little over 12 minutes and was bench for the 3rd period and OT. He was then a healthy scratch against Edmonton.
Eric Gryba		Good week for Gryba. Got caved in a little against Pittsburgh, but not nearly as bad as the Ceci-Cowen pairing. However, he added an assist this week and had 14 hits in 3 games, while talking only one penalty. Gryba typically plays a smarter physical game than some other Sens defenders.
Erik Karlsson		Candidate for biggest gains. Another great week for the captain. A goal and 4 assists to go with 8 shots, Karlsson was simply explosive this week and had some of the best possession numbers on the team.
Marc Methot		Steady week for Methot. Though he was held off the score sheet all week, he has nice possession numbers on the week as a whole. More of the same please.
Chris Phillips		See biggest losses.
Patrick Wiercioch		Was a scratch against Pittsburgh, but that's par for the course by now. When he did play, he played well: an assist in both games and great possession numbers.
Forwards
Alex Chiasson		Slowly got going this week. Not on the radar against Buffalo, had 4 shots and a few chances against Pittsburgh, and added a goal and assist as well as 4 shots against Edmonton. Here's hoping he broke out of his slump.
Erik Condra		Great possession numbers this week. Had a fight against Buffalo and two assists against Edmonton. There's nothing Condra can't do, except hit a wide-open net.
Mike Hoffman		Candidate for biggest gains. Another great week for Hoffman. At least a point in each game (2G, 2A), 7 shots, and decent possession numbers.
Curtis Lazar		Lazar had a decent week with 6 shots and 4 hits. Held scoreless while playing in the top six during a week in which the Sens exploded for 13 goals in 3 games isn't great, but he had good possession numbers though.
David Legwand		A goal and some great possession numbers has Legwand trending up.
Clarke MacArthur		Weird week for MacArthur, held off the scoresheet against Buffalo and Pittsburgh, he also found himself skating in the bottom-six. While his possession numbers were great against Pittsburgh he took a beating against the Sabres. He missed the Edmonton due to illness.
Milan Michalek		See biggest gains.
Chris Neil		He keeps playing his game: 7 hits, 1 fight, 1 misconduct this week. Unfortunately, his fight against Luke Gazdic of Edmonton was costly: Neil fractured him his thumb.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau		Bit of a weird week for Pageau. No points, a healthy scratch against Pittsburgh, 6 shots, and 11 hits in 2 games great possession numbers against the Oilers, not so much against the Sabres. To top it off, sent to the AHL for Bingo's game on Sunday.
Bobby Ryan		Candidate for biggest gains. Missed the game against the Sabres with injury, but had 2 assists against the Penguins and again against the Oilers. With 7 shots and decent possession numbers, it's another green arrow for Ryan.
Zack Smith		It sounds like we might not see Smith again this season. Get well soon!
Mark Stone		At least a point in each game this week (1G, 3A) and good possession numbers mean it's a green arrow for Stone.
Kyle Turris		Candidate for biggest gains. Turris had a great offensive week (2G, 3A). He also added 9 shots and helped get Michalek going. Great possession numbers too!
Mika Zibanejad		A goal and an assist for Zibanejad this week. His line continues to push Ottawa's offense.

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