Senators get their Starter back, team played much better in front of him yesterday, than they did vs the Stars ...... a game in which they needed an own goal to record the win.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau played the "shutdown Tavares" role to perfection, dominating him in the face off circle, keeping him off the score-sheet and frustrating him to the point where he takes a slashing penalty........ oh and he did chip in a goal when on the PK ....... (yeah, I know, the goal was scored 3 seconds after the PP ended).

Tuesday's game will a great indicator in showing if they've got their game back on track, as the Sabres will not be an easy out.

Neither Ontario team wants to slip down into the last WC spot, only to draw the Capitals in the first round, nor do they want to climb past the Habs and end up vs the Rangers, Penguins or Jackets, whoever ends up fourth in the Metro, in the first round.

Senators get their Starter back, team played much better in front of him yesterday, than they did vs the Stars ...... a game in which they needed an own goal to record the win.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau played the "shutdown Tavares" role to perfection, dominating him in the face off circle, keeping him off the score-sheet and frustrating him to the point where he takes a slashing penalty........ oh and he did chip in a goal when on the PK ....... (yeah, I know, the goal was scored 3 seconds after the PP ended).

Tuesday's game will a great indicator in showing if they've got their game back on track, as the Sabres will not be an easy out.

Neither Ontario team wants to slip down into the last WC spot, only to draw the Capitals in the first round, nor do they want to climb past the Habs and end up vs the Rangers, Penguins or Jackets, whoever ends up fourth in the Metro, in the first round.
- D0PPELGANGER

Love Pageau!

Montreal is dying.

They are slow afoot on defence and they are getting average goaltending. Sens are only 6 points behind Montreal with 5 games in hand. Ottawa has 3 games against Les Canadiens right at the end of the season (this could also be a huge help for the Leafs and perhaps even Boston as they appear to be climbing back into the fight).

Problem is, if you finish first you likely get Rangers in playoffs. If you finish second, you play the third place team in your own Division (Likely either Montreal, Ottawa, Boston or Toronto based on current standings).

SENS

Montreal is dying.

They are slow afoot on defence and they are getting average goaltending. Sens are only 6 points behind Montreal with 5 games in hand. Ottawa has 3 games against Les Canadiens right at the end of the season (this could also be a huge help for the Leafs and perhaps even Boston as they appear to be climbing back into the fight).

Problem is, if you finish first you likely get Rangers in playoffs. If you finish second, you play the third place team in your own Division (Likely either Montreal, Ottawa, Boston or Toronto based on current standings).
- spatso

therrien on shaky ground

- PhillySportsGuy

SENS

wingels put them over the top

SENS

wingels put them over the top
- Tumbleweed

Jealousy is not a good look for you, tumbleweed

Jealousy is not a good look for you, tumbleweed
- PhillySportsGuy

flyers .545

NOT THE FLYERS

SENS

wingels put them over the top
- Tumbleweed

Don't forget the off season acquisition of Tom Pyatt, key guy on the first PK unit.

Montreal is dying.

They are slow afoot on defence and they are getting average goaltending. Sens are only 6 points behind Montreal with 5 games in hand. Ottawa has 3 games against Les Canadiens right at the end of the season (this could also be a huge help for the Leafs and perhaps even Boston as they appear to be climbing back into the fight).

Problem is, if you finish first you likely get Rangers in playoffs. If you finish second, you play the third place team in your own Division (Likely either Montreal, Ottawa, Boston or Toronto based on current standings).
- spatso

Luckily whatever is happening right now will continue to happen for the rest of the Season.

Don't forget the off season acquisition of Tom Pyatt, key guy on the first PK unit.
- D0PPELGANGER

One of the big reason the leafs and sens are where they are is because the panthers and lightening unexpectedly suck this year.

the atlantic just sucks in general.

Some Corsi stuff for the Teams fighting for a spot


Season Corsi
Boston 55.71
Montreal 52.43
Toronto 50.29
Ottawa 48.04

Since Jan 1 (17-21 games)
Boston 56.72
Montreal 51.64
Toronto 50.11
Ottawa 48.20

Expected GF% also falls in line with these roughly

Boston should coast to a playoff spot they are #1 by a large margin, Montreal had a decent lead on everyone early..should be ok.

Ottawa needs to start to stumble

Some Corsi stuff for the Teams fighting for a spot


Season Corsi
Boston 55.71
Montreal 52.43
Toronto 50.29
Ottawa 48.04

Since Jan 1 (17-21 games)
Boston 56.72
Montreal 51.64
Toronto 50.11
Ottawa 48.20

Expected GF% also falls in line with these roughly

Boston should coast to a playoff spot they are #1 by a large margin, Montreal had a decent lead on everyone early..should be ok.

Ottawa needs to start to stumble
- senstroll

sens have held out this long. it's possible to go a whole season. i think they will.

sens have held out this long. it's possible to go a whole season. i think they will.
- Tumbleweed

they can only make it if the Leafs do

sens have held out this long. it's possible to go a whole season. i think they will.
- Tumbleweed

theyll make it. not much season left and a lot of games in hand. Sens definitely doing better than i thought. Leafs likely wont but both teams have done better than i thought they would. (so far)

sens thread piling on Ryan. wonder how long it takes to "ryan" phaneuf

sens thread piling on Ryan. wonder how long it takes to "ryan" phaneuf
- systemtool

They have the two worst contracts in the NHL on their team. Fun stuff. At least they are expiring this year.

Oh they aren't? That's a shame.

They have the two worst contracts in the NHL on their team. Fun stuff. At least they are expiring this year.

Oh they aren't? That's a shame.
- daeth

Sens love Phaneuf. GM and coach are really happy with the role he is playing. One report suggests that Phaneuf will agree to waive his no trade contract in order that the Sens do not have to protect him in the expansion draft. Assumption is that Las Vegas will not take him. Sens only need a couple more good years from him.

Bobby Ryan is more complex. I strongly opposed the deal (contract) originally on the basis that he just did not skate well enough to justify the long term deal. I remember people saying he would not resign in Ottawa and thinking we should be so lucky.


If you are not a good technical skater your game falls off far faster as you approach age 30. Ottawa plays the game with huge speed and it is clear that Ryan simply cannot keep up. The situation needs to be fixed and I expect a resolution sooner rather than later.

Sens love Phaneuf. GM and coach are really happy with the role he is playing. One report suggests that Phaneuf will agree to waive his no trade contract in order that the Sens do not have to protect him in the expansion draft. Assumption is that Las Vegas will not take him. Sens only need a couple more good years from him.

Bobby Ryan is more complex. I strongly opposed the deal (contract) originally on the basis that he just did not skate well enough to justify the long term deal. I remember people saying he would not resign in Ottawa and thinking we should be so lucky.


If you are not a good technical skater your game falls off far faster as you approach age 30. Ottawa plays the game with huge speed and it is clear that Ryan simply cannot keep up. The situation needs to be fixed and I expect a resolution sooner rather than later.
- spatso

When a team with literally nothing else in their roster doesn't want your player for free, when they're picking through scraps.... maybe he's not worth his contract.

When a team with literally nothing else in their roster doesn't want your player for free, when they're picking through scraps.... maybe he's not worth his contract.
- Feeling Glucky?

I understand this is a truly hard swallow for many Leaf fans. If Phaneuf was still with the Leafs we should not doubt that they would be further ahead in the standings. Long term the Leafs probably made the best decision in terms of where they are. Taking on Phaneuf was probably the best option for the Sens in relation to where they are.

Remember Ottawa is second (only behind Washington) in the number of shut outs their goalies have earned. And, this has been achieved with their #1 goalie unavailable for a very long stretch. Ottawa has had very strong defensive play from their blue line and Phanuf has been a huge contributor.

I understand this is a truly hard swallow for many Leaf fans. If Phaneuf was still with the Leafs we should not doubt that they would be further ahead in the standings. Long term the Leafs probably made the best decision in terms of where they are. Taking on Phaneuf was probably the best option for the Sens in relation to where they are.

Remember Ottawa is second (only behind Washington) in the number of shut outs their goalies have earned. And, this has been achieved with their #1 goalie unavailable for a very long stretch. Ottawa has had very strong defensive play from their blue line and Phanuf has been a huge contributor.
- spatso

I love how scared you are to directly address the point at hand.

You said the sens are asking him to waive his NTC, because they doubt he'd be picked up.

Think about how stupid that statement is, in the context of you arguing he's playing well.

He's so good that a team starting from scratch doesn't want him for free!

I really think this is the Sens year

I love how scared you are to directly address the point at hand.

You said the sens are asking him to waive his NTC, because they doubt he'd be picked up.

Think about how stupid that statement is, in the context of you arguing he's playing well.

He's so good that a team starting from scratch doesn't want him for free!
- Feeling Glucky?

Not really. Ottawa has some good Dmen they do not want to lose for nothing. Karlsson, Methot, Phaneuf, Ceci and Wideman are all playing well. Borwiecki and Claesson are rotating in and out of the line up.

If you have to protect Phaneuf in the expansion draft, it means either Methot or Ceci will have to be exposed. Ottawa has as many as 4 young Dmen that will be fighting for permanent roster spots next year (Claesson, Englund, Jaros and Chabot).

I believe the Sens will expose Phaneuf and Borowiecki expecting that the Knights will take Borowieki. I think the Sens will protect Karlsson, Methot and Wideman.

More important, I think the Sens will include Ceci plus a #1 pick and prospect (perhaps Colin White) for a top 6 skater. If that is the case they would certainly hope that Phaneuf remains in Ottawa to mentor Chabot.

If the Sens do a deal at the deadline that includes "a future consideration" statement, you know it will somehow be manipulated to become Ceci at the end of the season (and before the expansion draft).

One of the big reason the leafs and sens are where they are is because the panthers and lightening unexpectedly suck this year.

the atlantic just sucks in general.
- Tumbleweed

Agreed.