As I'm sure many of you already have read, two (somewhat) contradictory things have come from Cory Clouston in the last two days regarding Pascal Leclaire;
1) To paraphrase, he was disappointed that Pascal didn't save what he viewed as a weak shot by Alex Ovechkin, that Ovie didn't get much behind the shot, and that it needed to be saved.
2) That Pascal will start his 4th straight game tonight against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Now, I love CiCi just as much as the next Sens fan (though he is starting to take some serious flack, over at The 6th Sens and SenSay) but I don't agree with one of those decisions.
And for me, it was throwing Pascal under the bus. I was at the opener against Buffalo (with Oakes) and we were sitting front row. The Sens did not play well (not as bad as they did against the Leafs, but not well). Pascal was shaky to start the game, but played very well as it went on. Watching the Caps game the other night, he again played very well, and for once, the consensus around this team is that he has been our best player.
So why throw him under the bus? He already felt terrible about the goal, and there are many other guys to blame for the game (Brian Lee wandering into Campoli's corner and leaving Semin WIDE OPEN?), so why do it?
I think it was heat of the moment. I think Cory thought we were thirty seconds away from a shootout where anything can happen and it was snatched away. That is why he deserves a round of applause for putting Pascal in tonight, and recognizing the importance of him getting into a groove.
The Sens have a chance tonight to get their first win, and Pascal has earned the right to be the goalie to get that first win.
You have no doubt read amazingly in-depth series previews all over the place. I would recommend a personal favourite of mine, Nichols, who gives you everything from Forwards to Jerseys to media. Its a fun read, if not a short one.
SO rather than do my customary thing and do a crazy breakdown of everything, I will do something I'm not sure I'm capable of. Short and Sweet.
I can identify THREE KEYS to upsetting the defending champs. They look like this:
1) Brian Elliott Cannot Play Like a 9th Round Draft Selection Who Has Never Played in the Playoffs: This one is simple, you live or die by your playoff goaltending. Let's hope he's a little more Cam Ward and a little less Roman Chechmanek.
2) Set the Tone Early: Let's Kick the Crap Out of Them: Physical play is one of the only advantages we decidedly have over them. Neiler, Fish, Smitty, Winny, Volchy and of course Sutts, I'm looking at you.
3) Second Line Scoring In the Absence of L'Enigma; Fast Chemistry Between 9MM & the Fish: No doubt this is crucial. Clouston has decided loading up a second line with Cullen Fish AND Michalek is the way to go. We'll see. Either way this line needs to be effective or this is going to be a reeeeeal short trip.
So, what do you think, anything to add to my list? Which of these three is most important? And Lastly, do you think the Sens stand a chance, even with these?
Great game for the boys as they win their fourth straight. No points were gained on the division leading Buffalo Sabres as they slaughtered the Tampa Bay Lightening this evening.
King K - Looked really strong all game. Unreal pass to Spezza for Regin's goal. Three assists... not bad you?
Chris Phillips - A couple of outstanding breakout passes and a diving play to prevent a breakaway all in a days work.
Campoli - Solid game! Making a strong case to stay in the line up when Kuba comes back.
Alfredsson - Destroyed that puck from the point.
Sutts - Absolutely railroaded Volchy.
Volchy - I really hope he is not too badly hurt as he is crucial for playoffs. If a player like that goes to the hospital you know something is wrong.
Ells - Steady game. Made the saves he should make and didn't let in the weak one.
Stop by tomorrow as we will have a look into a couple of theories of what is wrong with Alex Kovalev.
It's time folks, time for some good old division rivalry. I won't lie, with the decline of Toronto and the fact that Montreal is a bunch of midgets, I am starting to look forward to these Ottawa-Buffalo games more than any others.
Or maybe that's just because we routinely kick their asses?
OFFENSE: The Sabres are technically 11th in the league with 2.76 goals per game while the Sens are 19th with 2.62. Thomas Vanek leads the team with 23 goals, and Tim Connolly leads their team with 65 points. Neither however strike fear in me. In 33 games against Ottawa lifetime, Vanek has 24 points, this year 2 goals in 4 games, no assists. The Sens are missing top left wingers Milan Michalek (22 goals) and Alex Kovalev (47 points). Never thought I'd say it, but slight edge SABRES.
DEFENCE: The Sabres have given up less goals this year than Ottawa, but that is more a result of Ryan Miller than fantastic Sabre defence. The way the Sens D are playing (especially Sutton, Phillips and Volchy) and the fact that outside of Tyler Myers they really have no one, this is a win for the SENS.
GOALTENDING: Ya, ok. I don't care that B-Ells has been good the last two games or that against the Sens Ryan Miller's GAA is 0.10 higher than it is against the rest of the league. He's the best goalie in the world. EDGE: SABRES
SPECIAL TEAMS: Both teams struggle on the power play, being in the bottom third of the league in the category, and with 7 minutes the other night the Sens mustered 2 posts and no goals. Buffalo's penalty kill is actually better than the Senators, 2nd in the league! Again, your goalie has to be your best Penalty killer and well.. he is the best goalie. EDGE: SABRES
Players to watch:
Ottawa: With Kovalev now joining Michalek on the sidelines, look for big games from Matt Cullen and Peter Regin, both who have been given chances to play up on the top two lines recently. However, the Captain has 76 points in 74 career games against Buffalo. Simply put; they are his bitch. As always watch how angry Buffalo gets at Ruutu and Neil.
Buffaslugs: I'm not sure there is a player in the league that hates Ottawa more than Adam Mair, as evidenced by his 133 career penalty minutes against Ottawa (4.03 per game!). Jason Pomminville constantly puts up points in Buffalo and his 20 in 30 games against the Sens is reason enough to watch him. Tyler Myers and Ryan Miller are really the only two players to watch however.
CONSENSUS PREDICTIONS:
Young: I know I wrote edge to Sabres more than edge to Senators, and the numbers will have you believe that. However, the intangibles are that the Sens have owned the Sabres winning 8 in a row and I hope to see that continue. In the immortal words of Mark Christopher F Buffalo.
3-1 Ottawa
Oakes: When your most offensive players have a) gotten their face broken by an anton Volchenkov shot b) been concussed by Peter Schaefer.. we at Ottawa's Consensus consider you a walk in the park... but who walks in the park in buffalo.. it is a shit hole. So Ottawa will keep this close.
Another important game! Brian Elliott gets the start after putting in a solid performance agains the Habs. Lets hope he can keep the ball rolling and the Sens can pick up a much needed two points.
Players to watch tonight!
Ottawa
Erik Karlsson - After a great game yesterday expect the kid to start right where he left off.
Peter Regin - Getting another chance on the top line. The Prince never lets his people down.
Suts - I cannot wait to see who he will victimize tonight.
Cullen - I really liked his game last night, he is getting so many chances it is just a matter of time until he buries one.
A-Train - What does he have in store? Highlight reel save or another breakaway?
Philadelphia
Chris Pronger - Actually don't watch him, it will frustrate you beyond belief as he will get away with more interference penalties than the number of porn stars Mike Richards calls "friends"
Boucher - if history holds true the the Flyers would be better off playing with six skaters. Appearing in 9 career games against Ottawa posting a 1-6-0 record and 3.43 GAA Boucher has been miles short of spectacular.
Carrot Top - Only because you really can't miss him.
Lastly
Neil vs Carcillo - I hope Neil or Carks takes this moustache off his face.
After looking at this picture I am actually baffled he knows how to put his equipment on.
Predictions
Young - 4-3 Ottawa
With no Carter, no goalie and elbows(Pronger) getting slower by the game expect the Sens to take full advantage of a depleted Flyer line-up in an important four point matchup.
Oakes 5 -2 Ottawa
Boucher gets lit up as the Sens regain their scoring touch. With no Jeff Carter who will provide offence for Philly?... Aaron Asham? Surprisingly yes, 5g 2a in 13 career games at Scotiabank Place.
Apologies for the lack of Post-Game Roll Call after the battle of Ontario. It was a depressing game, and yesterday Oakes and I celebrated the Irish Culture a little too hard, so no Post game could be done then either.
Upon reading our battle of Ontario preview we decided it might be a touch too long... so I'll cut it down a bit this time, and maybe you guys can tell us what you prefer.
Without further ado... Let's see how our Sens match up against the Thrashers
FORWARDS
Thrashers: Since the departure of their superstar, the Thrashers have found that they can have a much more balanced attack. Their top two lines don't boast any big names, but Afinogenov-Antropov-Bergfors has played very well as of late, and Bergfors may help keep Don Waddell his job with 11 points in 14 games with the Thrashers. Don't underestimate the Thrashers offense however, because at 2.9 goals per game, they crack the top ten in the NHL
Senators: Much has been made about the Sens inability to find the back of the net since the Olympic break. The Sens offense is struggling right now, and confidence may be an issue. With Nick Foligno coming back last game and providing a spark and Mike Fisher possibly making a return, the Sens have a strong looking line-up that should find the net. Hopefully they are able to build confidence tonight.
OVERALL EDGE IN FORWARDS: Thrashers (due to confidence issues)
DEFENCE
Thrashers: Again, the Thrashers have a defensive core whose names don't inspire fear in opponents, but this is largely due to the fact they are younger players. Oduya, Bogosian and especially Enstrom are young, exciting players who in the next few years should give the Thrashers stability. Kubina and Hainsey provide some veteran leadership to this group. The only knock is that they really don't have a "shut-down" pair, which has resulted in them being 28th in the league for goals-against at 3.16 per game.
Senators: The (hopeful) return of Filip Kuba should help young Erik Karlsson get back to doing what he does best, without having to over-extend himself. Andy Sutton will be looking to prove something after being out of position on the second and third goals against Toronto on Tuesday. Philchenkov as always anchors the group and they will be charged with shutting down the solid Thrashers offense.
OVERALL EDGE IN DEFENCE: Senators
SPECIAL TEAMS
Powerplay: Ottawa's powerplay is ICE cold right now, but the return of Filip Kuba (hopefully) should help. While Ottawa has struggled, they remain at 15.5%, and the Thrashers are at 16.5% on the year. Now, without Kovalchuk on the left point, their powerplay doesn't strike much fear in opponents. This is a draw for me.
Penalty Kill: As stated in the last post, Ottawa's strong penalty kill has been a major reason for their position in the standings. Atlanta on the other hand is sitting in 22nd overall at 80.2%. Without question, Ottawa gets the edge here.
EDGE OVERALL IN SPECIAL TEAMS: Senators
Goaltending
Elliott vs Hedberg: Brian Elliott clearly has the confidence of coach Cory Clouston and hopefully he is right. I don't know if I'm sold. Regardless Hedberg has lost 4 of his last 5 starts, and his numbers have been poor (sub 900 save percentage). Neither team has goaltending as a strength.
EDGE OVERALL IN GOAL: Neither. It's a draw.
Players to Watch
Ottawa: I'm watching Nick Foligno. He looked excited to be in the line-up against the Buds, but looked a little rusty with the puck. Look for him to have a strong game.
Atlanta: For me, the return on Kovalchuk, Nick Bergfors, is the player to watch. He is coming into his own in this league and can put a couple in the back of the net if left unchecked.
Consensus Predictions:
Young: The boys haven't given me a reason to think they will win this game, and Atlanta is making their final push to the playoffs. Add in the fact that this is a road game, and this is a recipe for a sad night.
4-3 (SO) Atlanta
Oakes: Breakout game.... I hope. After the comments in the media the last few days I truly believe that they will come out flying and not let up. If Kuba comes back this is an Ottawa win hands down. People under estimate the stability he brings to the back end.
3-0 Ottawa
We will score 1 pp goal.
Greg Carvel will do a cart wheel on the bench.
Kovalev will break out of his mini slump
Sen's fans will rejoice.
Little will fake illness to avoid a repeat of this
