Leads the NHL in blocked shots, with 197

Second in total points by defense-men, three behind leader

Four consecutive seasons ( including this one) of scoring 66 or more points.


For sure another Norris Trophy nominee this season.
- D0PPELGANGER

Leaf fans are very uncomfortable with facts. They can be confusing.

they're 8-2-2 since the trade deadline.............no doubt they looked bad in the home and home against montreal, but outside of that Ottawa has been one of the better teams in the league the last few weeks. they've been gaining in the standings so I'm not sure how you feel they've been struggling........outside of those 2 games, like I said.
- sensarmy_11

2-2-2 in their last 6 if I'm not mistaken.

And they barely scraped by some wins against crap teams before this stretch.

I think in the last 10, Pittsburgh is the only team they beat that wasn't a basement dweller or on the back half of a back-to-back.( I could be wrong)

They're showing an inability to generate much offense with other teams tightening up defensively, so their trap game doesn't serve them as well if they can't get a lead to defend.

IMO that doesn't sound like a recipe for success in playoff hockey, and teams that do this back-slide into the playoffs don't usually go so far. Neither do teams with the awful possession number Ottawa has put up all season.

It's a truism that defense wins cups... but you need something to defend

Basically, the Sens had an easy stretch coming out of the deadline. Did well their first 6 games, and struggled since.

Unless you think 2-2-2 is a good record.

Basically, the Sens had an easy stretch coming out of the deadline. Did well their first 6 games, and struggled since.

Unless you think 2-2-2 is a good record.
- Feeling Glucky?

That is just really goofy. In three of the losses (Chicago, Tampa and Montreal (1st game) the Sens may have played their best hockey of the year. It was pure wonderful playoff style hockey.

I know the Sens play Washington pretty strong and they played some great games against Columbus. The team that frightens me most is Pittsburgh. But Sens looked good last night.

That is just really goofy. In three of the losses (Chicago, Tampa and Montreal (1st game) the Sens may have played their best hockey of the year. It was pure wonderful playoff style hockey.

I know the Sens play Washington pretty strong and they played some great games against Columbus. The team that frightens me most is Pittsburgh. But Sens looked good last night.
- spatso

Exactly what I'm saying spaz. The Sens' best attempt at playoff style hockey results in losses.

2-2-2 in their last 6 if I'm not mistaken.

And they barely scraped by some wins against crap teams before this stretch.

I think in the last 10, Pittsburgh is the only team they beat that wasn't a basement dweller or on the back half of a back-to-back.( I could be wrong)

They're showing an inability to generate much offense with other teams tightening up defensively, so their trap game doesn't serve them as well if they can't get a lead to defend.

IMO that doesn't sound like a recipe for success in playoff hockey, and teams that do this back-slide into the playoffs don't usually go so far. Neither do teams with the awful possession number Ottawa has put up all season.

It's a truism that defense wins cups... but you need something to defend
- Feeling Glucky?

you're right that they barely squeaked by some of their wins, but there were also some games they lost by a goal where they were the better team. getting stone back will help their offense, and their defense is still good. they're obviously not going to be a favorite for the cup, but if they stick to their game I think they may surprise some teams in the east. I would be surprised if they didn't at least make the 2nd round.

the 1st round opponent, assuming no massive collapses happen by Ottawa or the teams around them, will either be Toronto, boston, or new York (if they pass the habs) and I'm pretty sure Ottawa is a combined 8-2 vs those opponents (4-0 vs boston, 3-1 vs leafs, 1-1 vs rangers).....I like their chances of getting out of the 1st round, and in the 2nd round it would likely be one of those teams too, or montreal who they're 1-1-1 against.

Exactly what I'm saying spaz. The Sens' best attempt at playoff style hockey results in losses.
- Feeling Glucky?

Duh. Think about it. Tampa, Chicago, Montreal, Montreal, Boston and Pittsburgh. Each team fighting hard for playoff position. Ottawa plays .500 losing two overtimes. Headed to game 7 against Montreal Saturday night. Not bad considering the type of hockey that is being played.

You realize that Ottawa is just 1 point behind Montreal with a game in hand. Really, you had not noticed. Oh well!

you're right that they barely squeaked by some of their wins, but there were also some games they lost by a goal where they were the better team. getting stone back will help their offense, and their defense is still good. they're obviously not going to be a favorite for the cup, but if they stick to their game I think they may surprise some teams in the east. I would be surprised if they didn't at least make the 2nd round.

the 1st round opponent, assuming no massive collapses happen by Ottawa or the teams around them, will either be Toronto, boston, or new York (if they pass the habs) and I'm pretty sure Ottawa is a combined 8-2 vs those opponents (4-0 vs boston, 3-1 vs leafs, 1-1 vs rangers).....I like their chances of getting out of the 1st round, and in the 2nd round it would likely be one of those teams too, or montreal who they're 1-1-1 against.
- sensarmy_11

I am actually more afraid of the Leafs than any of those other teams. Young teams can fall apart in the playoffs. But sometimes they are most dangerous because they are not afraid of losing in the first round. Nobody has expectations of winning so they can just play their game. It always gets harder for a young team in the second round, once expectations get expanded. Most upsets are in the first round of the playoffs. After the first round, both teams usually play to their full capacity.

Duh. Think about it. Tampa, Chicago, Montreal, Montreal, Boston and Pittsburgh. Each team fighting hard for playoff position. Ottawa plays .500 losing two overtimes. Headed to game 7 against Montreal Saturday night. Not bad considering the type of hockey that is being played.

You realize that Ottawa is just 1 point behind Montreal with a game in hand. Really, you had not noticed. Oh well!
- spatso

Calling it game 7 invokes a playoff series. however, with 4 losses under their belt, there wouldn't be a game 7 to be played. In fact, based on the last 6 games, they would have been swept.

So yes, thinking about it, with playoff hockey being played, Ottawa loses 4 straight.

Sounds about right.

you're right that they barely squeaked by some of their wins, but there were also some games they lost by a goal where they were the better team. getting stone back will help their offense, and their defense is still good. they're obviously not going to be a favorite for the cup, but if they stick to their game I think they may surprise some teams in the east. I would be surprised if they didn't at least make the 2nd round.

the 1st round opponent, assuming no massive collapses happen by Ottawa or the teams around them, will either be Toronto, boston, or new York (if they pass the habs) and I'm pretty sure Ottawa is a combined 8-2 vs those opponents (4-0 vs boston, 3-1 vs leafs, 1-1 vs rangers).....I like their chances of getting out of the 1st round, and in the 2nd round it would likely be one of those teams too, or montreal who they're 1-1-1 against.
- sensarmy_11

I think Ottawa fans, more than any, should know that regular season success against a team doesn't equate to post-season success.

Just a side note here: being 1-1-1 against the Habs means you're 1-2 against them, as far as the playoffs are concerned.

I think Ottawa fans, more than any, should know that regular season success against a team doesn't equate to post-season success.

Just a side note here: being 1-1-1 against the Habs means you're 1-2 against them, as far as the playoffs are concerned.
- Feeling Glucky?

Look you just have to get over the Boston melt down.

It was hugely funny and part of a 50 year tradition.

As long as you let the memory of this failure screw with your psyche your going to continue to project your disappointment unto others.

I think Ottawa fans, more than any, should know that regular season success against a team doesn't equate to post-season success.

Just a side note here: being 1-1-1 against the Habs means you're 1-2 against them, as far as the playoffs are concerned.
- Feeling Glucky?

true, my point was simply that they're evenly matched

Duh. Think about it. Tampa, Chicago, Montreal, Montreal, Boston and Pittsburgh. Each team fighting hard for playoff position. Ottawa plays .500 losing two overtimes. Headed to game 7 against Montreal Saturday night. Not bad considering the type of hockey that is being played.

You realize that Ottawa is just 1 point behind Montreal with a game in hand. Really, you had not noticed. Oh well!
- spatso

Didn't the leafs actually just beat these teams? And add in clb as well.... no need to make excuses or try to spin.

Didn't the leafs actually just beat these teams? And add in clb as well.... no need to make excuses or try to spin.
- burn

dude, I'm not taking spatso's side here by any stretch...........but if you're going to reply to him in a sarcastic tone about teams you beat you probably shouldn't be highlighting teams that you didn't actually beat. you lost to the hawks by the exact some score that Ottawa did.

The Canucks just beat Chicago.

That settles it, they're in the best position!

The Canucks just beat Chicago.

That settles it, they're in the best position!
- golfingsince

dude, I'm not taking spatso's side here by any stretch...........but if you're going to reply to him in a sarcastic tone about teams you beat you probably shouldn't be highlighting teams that you didn't actually beat. you lost to the hawks by the exact some score that Ottawa did.
- sensarmy_11

It was playoff like game, went to ot where anything can happen, other excuse, more excuse, they played well against a top team in the league, still more excuses.

It was playoff like game, went to ot where anything can happen, other excuse, more excuse, they played well against a top team in the league, still more excuses.
- burn

young teams might win a round because they don't know they shouldn't.

excuses for the playoff loss coming already being thrown around.

It was playoff like game, went to ot where anything can happen, other excuse, more excuse, they played well against a top team in the league, still more excuses.
- burn

All of this mentalness and the Laffs are only 3 points behind the heavily favoured Sens after 73 games. That's insane.

Exactly what I'm saying spaz. The Sens' best attempt at playoff style hockey results in losses.
- Feeling Glucky?

Playoff hockey, if I'm not mistaken, is always 5 vs 5 unless there are penalties of course.

Ottawa leads the Atlantic in regulation (A.K.A 5 vs 5) wins, with 32 Regulation wins.

So how do you want to spin that fact into a negative???

Congrats to whoever created this thread as part of their thesis towards their doctorate in psychology.

You win.

Look you just have to get over the Boston melt down.

It was hugely funny and part of a 50 year tradition.

As long as you let the memory of this failure screw with your psyche your going to continue to project your disappointment unto others.
- spatso

digging deep now, eh?

The interesting thing about you bringing that up, is that it reinforces how important the underlying stats can be. Leafs went into that series as an awful possession team, like the Sens. They made it a battle on moxie alone, but paid for it.

Leafs this year are a pretty good possession team. Doesn't mean we'll go far, but it's good that we have a coach who isn't repeating some of the mistakes of the past.

Playoff hockey, if I'm not mistaken, is always 5 vs 5 unless there are penalties of course.

Ottawa leads the Atlantic in regulation (A.K.A 5 vs 5) wins, with 32 Regulation wins.

So how do you want to spin that fact into a negative???
- D0PPELGANGER

No spin needed. Now that teams are tightening up and playing a type of hockey that's at playoff intensity, we see that the Sens are having trouble winning at 5 on 5.

1 regulation win in the last 6 games.

All of this mentalness and the Laffs are only 3 points behind the heavily favoured Sens after 73 games. That's insane.
- walshyleafsfan

5 points.

Definitely within reach.

5 points.

Definitely within reach.
- Feeling Glucky?

Yes. 5 points. I would've put money on the over pre season