-Ottawa lost 3-2 to Boston last night in a game I was unable to watch (Mark Parisi offers an entertaining recap). Robin Lehner made 47 saves for the loss, while Colin Greening and Andre Benoit scored the goals. Jim O’Brien played nearly as little as Matt Kassian and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him out of the lineup next game (replaced by Peter Regin presumably). MacLean largely went with four defenseman as Patrick Wierioch and Benoit did not get much ice time. Here is the boxscore.
–Ben Bishop, as expected, has been traded. Bishop goes to Tampa Bay for mighty-midget (5’8) Cory Conacher (34-9-15-24) and a fourth round pick. The 23-year old Conacher is signed through next season. Conacher had a hot start to his NHL career (12 points in his first 7 games), but only 12 in his last 28–still a respectable pace for a rookie. The undrafted Conacher was signed as a free agent out of Canisius College and was the AHL MVP last season.
It’s a good deal for Ottawa as there was no place for Bishop in the organisation going forward. I have no idea how Conacher projects, but he’s a young asset who is signed and all the early indicators are good. Murray did well to get a pick along with the acquisition, even if it’s a later pick (the Sens have done well with later picks). The move assures Robin Lehner his place in the NHL and it likely means that Mike Hoffman will return to Binghamton.
–Adrian Dater‘s power rankings have the Sens in sixth, writing:
Saturday’s 4-0 shutout by the Maple Leafs notwithstanding, the plucky Sens just keep surprising everybody. Goalie Craig Anderson (ankle sprain) returned to practice last week, but Bryan Murray said Jason Spezza‘s back rehab hasn’t gone smoothly and there’s no guarantee that he’ll be ready for the playoffs. The Sens’ GM isn’t planning to go out of his way to be a major player at the trade deadline. Speedy center Mika Zibanejad has been impressive, ranking in the top 10 in rookie scoring, hits and plus/minus. The Sens have a 13-3-3 home record and the NHL’s stingiest defense (2.06 goals-against per game). They’re also one of only four teams that haven’t allowed a short-handed goal. Think Ottawa will be fun to visit in the playoffs?
–Elmira announced their playoff roster which includes the following Sens/B-Sens prospects: Ben Blood, Louie Caporusso, Jack Downing, Marc Cheverie, Dustin Gazley, Darren Kramer, Chris Wideman, and Danny New. No surprises here other than (perhaps) the exclusion of Brad Peltz who was eligible. Of the group only Blood and Caporusso are currently with the Jackals.
This article is written by Peter Levi (@eyeonthesens)
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eyeonthesens 
Is Conacher eligible to play for Bingo in their playoffs if Ottawa is not/gets knocked out of the playoffs? He would be a great addition to the B-Sens and could help them capture their 2nd Calder Cup in 3 yrs.
I’m pretty sure Conacher is eligible–as is Robin Lehner, although it will be interesting to see who goes down if Bingo’s season lasts longer than Ottawa’s