Ups and Downs: Week 6

Not a great week from the Senators. They lost in overtime to the Canucks, beat the Oilers in overtime, then lost to the Flames in regulation. Three points out of a possible six probably flattered the team this week. Let's hope that this isn't the team we're going to see for the rest of the season.

Biggest Gains: Mike Hoffman. Scored three goals this week, and even used his hot play of late to earn the point spot on the second powerplay unit.

Biggest Losses: Mika Zibanejad. Many candidates for this spot, but at what point do we say that Mika is outmatched in a second-line centre role? In the last three games, he had 3 shots, 1 assist, 0 goals, and was below 50% on the draw, including a dismal 30% vs. Calgary. His line with Bobby Ryan and Milan Michalek lacks chemistry, but the only swap he's likely to see is Ryan for Alex Chiasson. Based on past experience, that's unlikely to boost his production.

Goaltenders	Trend	Notes
Craig Anderson		Had fairly strong efforts against Vancouver and Edmonton, but gifted Calgary their last two goals of the game. Those even out for the Sens' MVP to this point in the season.
Robin Lehner		Didn't see any action this week. Has lost whatever trust MacLean gave him at the start of the season.
Defensemen
Mark Borowiecki		Not a great week for Boro. Often overmatched and out of position. Outside of his fighting, I'm not sure what he brings to the team.
Cody Ceci		Had a decent week.
Jared Cowen		Keeps looking better and better. Will likely never live up to his draft position, but he's quietly becoming dependable.
Eric Gryba		Gryba looks like the perfect bottom-pairing defenceman. Too bad Ottawa has too many guys who should be on the bottom pairing.
Erik Karlsson		Only one point for the captain all week, but had 15 shots, and continues to drive possession like nobody else. He really needs a real partner.
Marc Methot		Still injured. Saw a specialist, and rumour has it he'll be playing again in December.
Chris Phillips		He's still playing far too many minutes, but looks OK doing it. Had as many points as Karlsson this week.
Patrick Wiercioch		Scratched all week, including the game in Vancouver when he had lots of family in the stands.
Forwards
Alex Chiasson		Did you know he had 2 points this week? Me neither. Doesn't look like a fit on the top line.
Erik Condra		Scratched all week. Coach still seems to prefer him to Greening.
Colin Greening		Scratched all week. Dreger reports that the Sens want to trade him for a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
Mike Hoffman		See Biggest Gains.
Curtis Lazar		His line was the best against Edmonton and Vancouver, but struggled against Calgary. Still, for a 19-year-old, that's a positive week.
David Legwand		No points, 1 shot, and sub-50% on the draws. Not sure what he adds to the team, other than preventing anyone else from getting saddled with Neil. Also looks lost on the powerplay.
Clarke MacArthur		Went a point-per-game this week, including his team-leading eighth goal.
Milan Michalek		Two points for Milo on the week. He has been relatively invisible, though.
Chris Neil		Not a good week for Neil, with two dumb penalties. It's not his fault coach has him miscast as a defensive stalwart though.
Bobby Ryan		Bobby had a goal and an assist. Still doesn't look great as Zibanejad's wing.
Z. Smith		Smith isn't getting the bigger role he asked for this season, though he did get moved to the wing. I'm not sure what I expect from him, so at least he did nothing particularly bad.
Mark Stone		Tough call, but one goal and three shots in three games is lower than the standard he's set this season. Still, one of the best forwards on the week.
Kyle Turris		After finally breaking his goal drought against Toronto, scored again against Vancouver. Also put up two assists this week. Candidate for Biggest Gains.
Mika Zibanejad		See Biggest Losses.

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