The Sens are now sixty-games into the season (for the previous ten-game segment go link).  Ottawa went 3-5-2, earning 8 points (a 7 point drop from their previous torrid pace).  They are 2nd in their division (unchanged), 7th in the conference (down from 5th), and 11th in the overall standings (down from 9th).  They are 5th in goals for (up from 6th), 28th in goals against (down from 27th), 13th in powerplay percentage (up from 17th), 17th on the penalty kill (up from 19th).  They are 13th in 5-on-5 goals for/against ratio (0.99), down from 10th; they are 15th in the league in faceoffs (no change); they are 30th in shots allowed (down from 29th) and 9th in shots-for (up from 11th).

Here’s a quick snapshot of player’s stats over the last ten games, although with TOI and faceoffs I’ve simply indicated if the numbers have changed significantly (INJ=games missed due to injury, SCR=scratched):
Jason Spezza 10-5-8-13 +2 TOI 19:55 FO% 54.4
Daniel Alfredsson 10-5-2-7 +2 TOI 18:32
Erik Karlsson 10-3-4-7 +3 TOI 25:24
Milan Michalek 10-2-5-7 +2 TOI 19:28
Bobby Butler 7-1-5-6 +2 TOI 11:26 SCR 3
Filip Kuba 10-1-4-5 +2 TOI 23:31
Sergei Gonchar 10-0-4-4 -4 TOI 22:29
Chris Phillips 10-2-1-3 Even TOI 18:45
Erik Condra 10-0-3-3 +1 TOI 14:46
Nick Foligno 10-0-3-3 -6 TOI 14:52
Chris Neil 10-1-1-2 -3 TOI 13:17
Kaspars Daugavins 10-1-1-2 Even TOI 11:32 (TOI decreasing)
Zack Smith 10-1-1-2 -1 TOI 14:51 FO% 47.6
Brian Lee 4-0-2-2 +1 TOI 14:40 INJ 6
Colin Greening 10-1-0-1 -2 TOI 15:50 (TOI declining)
Kyle Turris 10-1-0-1 -3 TOI 16:32 FO% 45.2
Jim O’Brien 7-1-0-1 -1 TOI 9:50 FO% 50.0 (2-1-0-1 +1 AHL)
Jared Cowen 10-0-0-0 -6 TOI 19:49 (TOI increasing)
Zenon Konopka 6-0-0-0 -2 TOI 7:38 FO% 58.5 (FO% decreasing) SCR 4
Matt Carkner 5-0-0-0 -1 TOI 12:18 (TOI decreasing) SCR 5
Mark Borowiecki 1-0-0-0 -1 TOI 11:58 (5-0-1-1 -1 AHL)
Jesse Winchester (injured)
Peter Regin (injured)
Craig Anderson 2-5-2 2.93 .910 (GAA and SV decreased) pulled twice
Alex Auld 3-1-0-0 3.28 .883 (GAA and SV improved)

Over the ten games the players have been a mix of hot and cold.  A number of players are mired in horrible slumps (Turris, Cowen, Greening, etc), with Daugavins broke an 11-game pointless streak last night.  On the flip side, Butler has risen from the dead (and being scratched three straight games) and is on a 4-game point streak.  O’Brien was recalled largely because of Butler‘s struggles and has played very well in a checking role.  I wonder if he’s done enough to stay with the team, or if the return of Winchester will see him back in Binghamton.  Foligno and Cowen were -6 through the segment, while Karlsson lead the way at +3.  Alfredsson had points in the most games (6).  Anderson went all over the map with his performances (including letting in a goal from center ice and being brilliant in shutting out Tampa).  Despite a long losing streak the Sens remain in the hunt and control their own fate.

February 16, 2012
Categories: Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: 2 Comments

Ottawa continued their winning ways with a win over Florida tonight.  The game was not televised so I did not see it beyond highlights.  The Sens received a great deal of depth scoring (including Jim O’Brien‘s first NHL goal and point) and dominated the scoreboard despite being outshot 44-31.  Jason Spezza lead the way with three assists.  Here is the box score and the Silver Seven‘s look at the game.  A look at the goals:
1. O’Brien (Foligno, Lee)
Picks up Foligno’s rebound and scores on a wrap-around on the empty net
2. Florida, Matthias
Beats Anderson high far side on a solo rush
3. Daugavins (Lee, Condra)
Tips in the point shot
4. Butler (Michalek, Spezza)
Tips in the beautiful Michalek pass
5. Alfredsson (Daugavins) (sh)
Scores on a breakaway
6. Michalek (Karlsson, Spezza)
A great tip-in off the Karlsson pass
7. Florida, Bergenheim (pp)
Tips in Campbell’s shot
8. Kuba (Spezza, Alfredsson) (pp)
One-timer on the back door

February 16, 2012
Categories: Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

Ottawa combined superb goaltending and timely scoring to get back on the winning track.  It was an entertaining game that lacked physicality.  Here’s the box score.

First Period
The Sens started strongly and scored early, but the Lightning took over and dominated the latter stages of the period and were stymied only by excellent goaltending from Craig Anderson.
Second Period
Echoed the first period, with the Sens firing the first six shots of the period before a serious of brutal giveaways (mostly by vets: Phillips, Gonchar, Lee, and Alfredsson) required more spectacular saves from Anderson.  The Sens were able to get the only goal of the period to lead 2-0.
Third Period
A much more consistent effort by the Sens sealed the game and saw fewer grade A chances for the Lightning.  There was a dramatic crash into the end boards by St. Louis and Karlsson, but neither was injured.  Kyle Turris‘ woes continued as he was stopped on a penalty shot.  The only big hit of the game occurred in the third as well (Lee on Moore).  Speaking of Moore, I’m not sure I’ve seen a player dive more than he did tonight.

A look at the goals:
1. Karlsson (Spezza, Butler)
A great shot through a Michalek screen
2. Spezza (Kuba, Karlsson) (pp)
Hammered the shot through Garon
3. Spezza (Butler, Michalek)
A fantastic pass from Butler and an even better deke by Spezza
4. Spezza (Gonchar) (en)

Top-performers:
Jason Spezza – a four point night–he absolutely dominated
Craig Anderson – a fantastic game with several game-changing saves
Erik Karlsson – a goal and an assist along with some strong defensive play

Players who struggled: no one stood out with poor play tonight, although with all his chances you have to wonder when Turris is going to break out of his funk.

February 15, 2012
Categories: Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

–Craig Anderson is expected to start tonight against Tampa Bay.

–Wayne Scanlan reminds us that the 1967 Leafs were the last team to win the Stanley Cup when giving up more goals than they scored in a season.  Ottawa, along with Florida and Calgary, will undoubtedly fit that category if they make it to the dance.  It’s an interesting article and worth reading, but I think the best way to describe the chances for the Sens is that no team since the original six has won the Cup with a minus differential.

-Paul MacLean identifies defensive play as the team’s continual problem, “A lot of the time, our game revolves around playing defence fast, but at some point in time, you have to play in your own zone. If there’s one thing that has been a bit of an issue for us over the course of the season, it’s that when we have to to be dedicated to playing defence in our zone, we sometimes don’t do it well. That’s going to become a focus for us going forward.”  Ken Warren says Bryan Murray will aggressively pursue a veteran defenceman–if he’s right, let’s hope whoever it is can skate.

-Bobby Butler has no explanation for his recent success other than “I’m trying a new stick.”

–TSN, Sportsnet, and The Hockey News‘ power rankings are out, with Ottawa 14th, 20th, and 18th.

–Bob McKenzie confirms the rumours that Rick Nash is available for the right price and points out this could only be the case if Nash himself was willing to move (because of his no-movement clause).  Given that Nash can control where he goes, the usual considerations (west to east) isn’t necessarily in play, but I don’t believe Ottawa would be a successful suitor (nor would I want them to give up their depth to get him).  Greg Wyshynski writes that the Rangers, Capitals, Stars, Red Wings, and Penguins appear to be willing to take a serious run at Nash.

-I have no idea why any team wants Jeff Carter.  He’s signed forever, has struggled with serious injuries and his production has stagnated.

–Ken Campbell writes about the flaccid discipline handed out by Brendan Shanahan and how it’s essentially as bizarre and inconsistent as it was under Colin Campbell.

February 14, 2012
Categories: Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment

Ottawa came storming out of the gate to start the game, but were the inferior team through the final three periods and have to be happy with getting a point.  The game was entertaining to watch–wide open hockey.  Here is the box score.

First Period
The Sens stormed out of the gate and dominated the Oilers.  Alfredsson scored the only goal, firing through a great Michalek screen.  Chris Neil had the hit of the period, burying the struggling Paajarvi.  Cowen made a brutal giveaway that resulted in a Brian Lee penalty.
Second Period
The Oilers dominated early, spurred on by turnovers (Karlsson had an identical one at his own blueline from the Nashville game).  Craig Anderson sparkled while Edmonton was on the powerplay, with great saves off Eberle and Hall.  The Oilers would tie it when Spezza lost a puck battle on the boards and Butler lost his check (Paajarvi) who scored into the 4×6.  Michalek put the Sens back ahead on a mini-breakaway, but Eager is able to tie it when Ryan Jones knocks over Cowen to give him his own mini-breakaway.
Third Period
Michalek loses track of his check and Horcoff is wide open to give Edmonton their first lead of the game.  Riding the momentum, Paajarvi hits the post and later Lee saves a goal by knocking over Hemsky who has a wide open net.  Karlsson is able to tie it up when Petry clears his rebound right back to him.  The Oilers dominate the final minutes, and a Phillips turnover is bailed out by Anderson.
OT
The Oilers win the opening draw and score on that play, with Michalek (again) missing his defensive assignment.

A look at the goals:
1. Alfredsson (Karlsson, Spezza)
Karlsson blocks the Oiler clear and Alfredsson fires through a Michalek screen
2. Edmonton, Paajarvi
Spezza loses the battle on the boards with Horcoff and then Butler loses his check (Paajarvi) who scores on a wide-open net
3. Michalek (Spezza, Butler)
Sent in on a mini-breakaway Michalek makes no mistake
4. Edmonton, Eager
Ryan Jones knocks over Cowen to give Eager a mini-breakaway and he beats Anderson 5-hole
5. Edmonton, Horcoff
Michalek loses track of Horcoff who is wide open for a one-timer
6. Karlsson (unassisted)
Petry swats Karlsson’s rebound right back to him and he fires it home
7. Edmonton, Hall
Michalek is late on the back check again and Hall puts in Horcoff’s rebound

Top-performers:
Erik Karlsson – a goal, an assist, and other than one brutal turnover was excellent defensively
Craig Anderson – he probably should have stopped Eager’s goal, but did a great job keeping the Sens in the game
Brian Lee – saved two goals in the game and was solid overall

Players who struggled:
Milan Michalek – yes he scored, but he’s the goat on two Oiler goals including the winner
Filip Kuba – a rare off-game for the normally reliable Kuba

I’ll give an honourable mention on the positive side to Zack Smith, who seems to be turning his game around.

February 11, 2012
Categories: Ottawa Senators . . Author: Eye on the Sens . Comments: Leave a comment