Ups and Downs: Week 23

Things didn't really go much better for the Senators this week. Three more losses. A potentially serious injury to Bobby Ryan. The positive? The team let a struggling Lehner get shelled in Dallas and he responded with 40+ saves. At least we'll have that Hemsky goal to look at again and again.

Biggest Gains: Erik Karlsson. With two goals and two assists in three games, Karlsson did his best to help the Sens snap this losing streak. His goal against Tampa once again brought Ottawa level almost immediately after a Lightning goal and his first period goal against Dallas gave Ottawa the lead.

Biggest Losses: Chris Phillips. I could have picked Lehner again, but at least the young netminder put in a good show against Dallas. Phillips's play this week did nothing to quiet the notion that his recent extension was a mistake. He continues to have difficulty with coverage, reading plays, and passing. There are rumours he's nursing an injury, and he played just 14:55 against Tampa and 13:28 against Dallas. Still, this could get very ugly.

Goaltenders	Trend	Notes
Craig Anderson		Anderson did not dress all week because of injury. His status remains uncertain and is becoming somewhat mysterious.
Robin Lehner		Lehner lost all three games he started this week. While he finally rebounded against Dallas (stopping 41 shots, .932 SV%), but was shelled again New York (.821 SV%) and Tampa (.821 SV%). His play of late has raised many questions and provided few answers.
Defensemen
Cody Ceci		Ceci had decent possession numbers against Tampa and New York but wasn't at his best against Dallas and it showed in his ice time (12:47). The pairing of Phillips and Ceci is currently the weakest for the team, but I'd like to see him away from Chris Phillips.
Jared Cowen		Cowen had a decent week last week and while he had a few miscues this week, we've seen much, much worse from him. Mentioned frequently for his size, Cowen had a particularly physical week, with 10 hits in three games. Also saw some offensive flash against Dallas.
Eric Gryba		Gryba has a decent week. He wasn't great against Dallas but played well against Tampa and New York. It was the type of steady week we have come to expect from him.
Erik Karlsson		See biggest gains.
Marc Methot		Methot had a good week. He played over 20 min/game this week and each night was second only to Karlsson in terms of Sens TOI. Plus, the defensive-minded player notched an assist this week.
Chris Phillips		See biggest losses.
Patrick Wiercioch		Ibid.
Forwards
Erik Condra		The usual from Condra.
Ales Hemsky		Only one point for Hemsky this week, but what a point! His highlight-reel goal against Tampa put a smile on the face of Sens fans.
Mike Hoffman		Hoffman had a goal and an assist this week and had a good game against the Rangers.
Colin Greening		Greening had an assist this week and played a lot less. Both good things.
Matt Kassian		Did not play.
Clarke MacArthur		MacArthur scored a nice shorthanded goal this week to tie his career high and also added an assist.
Milan Michalek		After a tough week last week, Michalek got back on the score sheet with a goal against New York and a goal and an assist against Tampa.
Chris Neil		He had a rough outing against the Rangers, but his limited role against Tampa and Dallas (less than 8 minutes both games) also limited his penalty liabilities.
Bobby Ryan		Ryan recorded a goal and 11 shots in the first two games of the week against New York and Tampa. He had a rougher outing against Dallas which ended early after a crash into the end boards. If he wasn't already hurt, he is now and that sucks.
Z. Smith		Consistent week from Smith.
Jason Spezza		Another good week from Spezza. 3 assists and 8 shots for the captain.
Kyle Turris		Just the one assist and got into some penalty trouble and had a rough game in Dallas.
Mika Zibanejad		Scored a goal and is shooting more (9 shots this week).

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