Ups and Downs: Week 24
They're still trending up!
The Senators have been on quite the run lately. They beat the Hurricanes, Bruins, and Maple Leafs in the last week, putting the team on a six-game winning streak heading into tonight.
Turricane was the NHL's second star of the week, meaning he pretty much had to be this team's first star for the week. He put up six points (two of which were empty-net goals), helping the Sens to conquer the competition this week. With the exception of the second vs. Toronto, he looked really good this week.
Biggest losses: Jared Cowen
This year has taken a huge turn for the worse for Cowen. He only played one game, looked unimpressive, and then was scratched for Gryba the rest of the week. If Cameron and Murray have a frank discussion this summer, Cowen is unlikely to be a Senator in October.
| Goaltenders | Trend | Notes |
| Craig Anderson |  | Re-aggravated his deep bone bruise. |
| Andrew Hammond |  | It's a tempered up arrow, but he's still unbeaten in regulation in his NHL career, and he tied Frank Brimsek's 70-year-old record. The Hamster (I think I'm the first person to call him that) may have looked human in his last two starts, but as people have pointed out, he doesn't wilt and makes the big save his team needs to keep them in the game. |
| Robin Lehner | | I doubt we'll see Lehner again before next season, which should only do good things for his concussion recovery |
Defensemen | ||
| Mark Borowiecki | | Two fights for Borocop, and he didn't look like much of a liability. I think that's the best we can expect of this guy. |
| Cody Ceci |  | One assist, and has been clearing 20 minutes most games. I don't panic every time I see him on the ice now that he's not paired with Cowen. |
| Jared Cowen |  | See Biggest Losses. |
| Eric Gryba | | Got back into the lineup over Cowen. Like his d-partner, he had a fight this week, but that's not what I expect from him. I'd rather have Gryba than Cowen on the third pairing at this point. |
| Erik Karlsson | | Only a four-point week for King Karl. What have you done for me lately? |
| Marc Methot | | Two assists against Toronto! As long as Ottawa keeps winning, I don't see how Methot will get a down arrow. |
| Chris Phillips | | I guess the games haven't been big enough to warrant an appearance by Big Game Chris |
| Patrick Wiercioch | | Two points this week, and he also passed Gryba and Borowiecki for points - all three were tied at the end of last week. Patty W also got significant powerplay time, showing the trust Coach Cameron is putting in him. |
| Forwards | ||
| Alex Chiasson | | Two assists this week greatly exceeds expectations. Injuries to Michalek and Puempel means we likely won't see him scratched soon either. |
| Erik Condra | | Two more assists for AnaCondra this week. Did anyone see him clearing 20 points this year? |
| Colin Greening | | Didn't play. |
| Mike Hoffman | | First goal (and point) in seven games on Saturday. With Puempel out, should get his old spot back on the pseudo-top line. |
| Curtis Lazar | | A good game against Toronto gets him a big up this week. |
| David Legwand | | Another quietly good week for Legwand. It's almost like he plays better when he's given wingers with hockey skill. |
| Clarke MacArthur | | He's resumed skating with the Sens |
| Milan Michalek | | Three-point game against Boston, and scored the 200th goal of his career. Not sure how long his injury will keep him out. |
| Chris Neil | | Haven't heard much about him lately. |
| Jean-Gabriel Pageau | | Two more points for JGP. His line is so much fun to watch every single night. Has that comment got old yet? |
| Matt Puempel | | His hustle got him a shot with Ryan and Z-bad, but an injury against Toronto is expected to keep him out week-to-week. |
| Bobby Ryan | | He became the first Senator to score 2 GWGs against Boston in the same season since Alexandre Daigle, meaning... um, I forgot where I was going with this. |
| Zack Smith | | We should see Z Smith tonight. |
| Mark Stone | | Five (!!) points this week, and a huge celebration after assisting Turris' empty-net goal against the Bruins. Could've had biggest gains if he'd taken that shot himself. |
| Kyle Turris | A golden up arrow for Golden Dynamite | |
| Mika Zibanejad | | Three points this week, including a great setup for Karlsson against the Leafs. |
Special thanks to our friend winterion at Japers' Rink for our icons!