-Ottawa beat the Sabres 2-0 in a game lacking entertainment value; the Sabres dominating the first half of the game, but kept a long parade to the penalty box that combined with an inability to beat Craig Anderson could not sustain momentum their momentum. Erik Karlsson and Erik Condra scored the goals (the former on a 3-on-2 shorthanded chance and the latter in a scramble in front of the net less than two minutes later). The only other thing of note was Robyn Regehr running Alfredsson from behind for no particular reason. Here’s the boxscore; Scott had the scoring chances 20/17.
-The Sens face Pittsburgh (8-5-0) tonight; the Pens are lead by Sidney Crosby (17 points) and backstopped by Marc-Andre Fleury (5-3-0 2.46 .906). Patrick Wiercioch is being scratched in favour of Andre Benoit.
–Adrian Dater has Ottawa 14th in his power ratings, who writes:
I’m in agreement with my colleague Mr. Muir on his early favorite for the Vezina: Craig Anderson, who is big, quick and reads the play extremely well. He may anticipate where the puck is going better than any goalie in the league. Blueliner Erik Karlsson has been tremendous, too. It will still be tough without Jason Spezza (back surgery), but if Anderson keeps playing this well, pencil Ottawa in for another playoff berth.
-Binghamton crushed Wilkes-Barre 5-1 last night; Robin Lehner made 24 saves for the win while Shane Prince, Derek Grant, David Dziurzynski, Pat Cannone, and Jack Downing scored the goals. Here’s the boxscore. Nathan Lawson did not finish the game and Marc Cheverie has been recalled from Elmira, so is seems like there could be an injury situation.
-Elmira faces Reading (33-12-6) tonight; the Royals are lead by Yannick Tifu (46 points) and backstopped by Philipp Grubauer (19-5-1 2.30 .912).
-Here the latest prospect update (for players with more than 10 games played I’ve indicated where they are in scoring; for blueliners they are compared to other defensemen on the team):
CHL
Cody Ceci (OHL Ottawa/Owen Sound) 55-12-37-49 (1st)
Matt Puempel (OHL Kitchener) 38-24-9-33 (3rd)
Stefan Noesen (OHL Plymouth) 36-17-15-32 (7th)
Jordan Fransoo (WHL Victoria) 50-4-12-16 (3rd)
Jakub Culek (QMJHL Cape Breton) 9-4-3-7 (10th) (injured)
Jarrod Maidens (OHL Owen Sound) (injured)
Chris Driedger (WHL Calgary) 27-12-3 2.43 .918
Francois Brassard (QMJHL Quebec) 24-17-3 2.88 .904
Allsvenskan (Swe)
Mikael Wikstrand (Mora) 37-11-11-22 (1st) WJC 6-0-4-4 (1st)
KHL
Nikita Filatov (Salavat) 45-10-11-21 (6th)
NCAA
Ryan Dzingel (Ohio) – 30-13-15-28 (1st)
Jeff Costello (Notre Dame) – 22-7-15-22 (4th)
Max McCormick (Ohio) – 30-8-9-17 (3rd)
Bryce Aneloski (Nebraska-Omaha) – 29-4-13-17 (2nd)
Michael Sdao (Princeton) – 23-6-6-12 (1st)
Tim Boyle (Union) – 14-0-2-2 (t-6th)
USHL
Robbie Baillargeon (Indiana/Omaha) – 43-16-19-35 (1st)
-It didn’t take long for Columbus GM John Davidson to do the obvious and fire Scott Howson and then hire former Blues super scout Jarmo Kekalainen to take over the role. The organisation will get better at long last.
This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)
eyeonthesens 