streaky

Sens dismantled the Thrash on Saturday 7-3.  It was closer than the score in some respects. The 'Thrash scored on a 5-on-3 midway through the 3rd to make it 3-5. Then they got a full 2-minute 5-on-3. But the Sens were the ones to score two goals, and instead of a tie game, it was a blowout. It reminded me of last time these teams met. 5-goal lead by the Sens, which ended 6-4. I think the Thrashers tactic is to lure the Sens asleep by giving them a huge lead.

 

The bad thing was that Fisher got injured and is out with an abdominal strain. On the bright side, I think it is a good chance for Vermette to show what he can do. He's been pretty solid with limited minutes. I think most GMs want to steal him away. He's got skills, but is used as a PK specialist and 3rd liner. I think he will post some numbers, if he gets paired with Alfredsson. The guy is creative and fast. We'll see.

Rex in effect

Recchi scores two goals in his debut with the 'Thrash.  Not really sure why the Pens didn't play him. But scoring two goals in the first game out has to feel good. He's got nothing to lose & something to prove. Pittsburgh is on the bubble to make the playoffs right now.  When all is said and sone at the end of the season, I think he will make the Pens regret giving him away...

Crosby. I am your father...

It was back-2-back road games for the Senators. They came out about as expected, tired and lethargic. Crosby had at least three breakaways, but scored on none.  Darth Gerber was huge. I guess they gave him that nickname after his all black, un-painted helmet. I believe that he had a mask painted, but stuck with the plain one after such a strong start. Supersticious goalie? Go figure. Gerber made 31 saves, actually 32. Sens were on a delayed penalty, Gerber heads to the bench. Heatley made a bad pass to the point, that was heading toward the center of the net. Gerber saw it and came back to make a nice save/outlet pass.

 

Sens hung around and evened the game at 1-1 after 2 periods. It smelled of the ideal road game. Stick around, keep the crowd out and steal the win. Heatley 2 goals, Spezza 2 goals, but give the win to Darth Gerber.

DiPietro Deal Deja-vu?

In a rather interesting move, the Phlyer locked away Mike Richards for 12-years @ $5.75MM/year, that's a shorter term than Ricky's deal but pays out more per season.  I don't really watch the Flyers since Roenick left several years back, but I don't think he has the skills to justify this move. I will say that Richards seems to be a hardworking, honest player and it is less of a risk than for a Yashin-type. But as with the DiPietro deal, there is far too much that can happen in 10 years, let alone 12 or 15.....

solid

Sens played a solid game against the 'Canes. 6-0. 3 goals in the first and 3 in the third. The sad thing was they could have had 3 in the 2nd period too, if it weren't for Ward. I'm not a big fan of Cam's; as he was given too much hype too soon when he first came into the league. (Though, the same can be said of Emery) Much has been made of his conditioning over the summer, and he did start the year a lot less Pilsbury. I must say that he looked very solid in the games I've seen him in. Much more like Cup Playoff Ward, versus regular season .870 SV% Ward.  I hope for his sake that last year was a sophomore slump thing.  I know he let in 6 goals last night, but due to some wacky Directv scheduling change, I didn't TIVO the first period. And it looked like Cam was keeping them in the game with a scoreless 2nd period.

 

Granted the 'Canes are coming off a very poor stretch of late. And what could have been a battle for first place (looking back 3 games ago) It didn't materialize and both clubs are heading in opposite directions.  But Ottawa looked like the solid club that ran away with the start of the season. Canes defense looked slow and lost most of the game. Bad turnovers.

 

Gerber didn't really deserve the shutout. But I thought he deserved the win. Emery went out 5 minutes into the first period. He was debuting a new Muhammed Ali mask, but had a sore hip. Gerber jumped at the chance to start and played well. The 'Canes couldn't put it in a couple wide open nets. But I think the game winner was scored while Emery was in net, so he got the win.!? Interesting. Also, Gerber had a nice assist. He power blockered a shot to the top of the right circle, and Spezza hit a streaking Heatley to set-up a partial breakaway. Nice.

 

Lastly, there was a good fight. Scott Walker clipped Gerber and Fisher came in to remind him that bumping the goalie isn't cool. That turned into a solid fight. Walker was bloodied. Then he head butted Fisher as the refs were pulling them apart. I'm a partial MMA fan and didn't really notice it. But Walker got a major and misconduct. I think he will be suspended. He just lost his mind. Team was down 0-3.  No on but him showed any desire. He got his face bloodied. Time to land something. Thus the headbutt and an extra late punch.

 

Otter Pop

Sens took down the Stars last Friday. Finally, a solid/dominant game by the Sens. Stars had trouble with the Sens forecheck, and the defense looked a lot better. Emery made all the necessary stops. The team looked good again. Gerber will probably get a start in the back-to-back games coming up. If he falter again, Emery gets pole position for the time being.

 

Steve Ott was interesting. I know that he's one of the agitators of the league. On his openeing shift, he bumps into Emery way after the whistle. Later he tries to put Heatley into the Stars bench after the whistle. I know that these guys try to rile the other team, but his play was pretty marginal. I don't like stuff after the whistle. Talking trash is also kinda lame in my book. I like guys that agitate by hitting often, but during play. Ott proved to be either smart or a coward, as he didn't fight Neil after the Sens took a one goal lead and gave the Stars a 4 minute double minor roughing powerplay. Later in the game, Neil had a breakaway with Norstrom trailing. Sens had a two goal lead. He could have taken out Smith, which would have been the Steve Ott thing to do. But he didn't and in fact, dove out of the way and nailed the crossbar, as Norstrom took out his own goalie. Ott is cheap, but effective.

 

Rex went to Atlanta off waivers. They need a veteran guy.!? That's pretty much saying that Holik and Rucchin aren't filling the bill. It's an interesting experiment. After Hossa, there isn't much right wing to speak of. I think Recchi can still do some damage with a skilled center and ice time.  We will definitely see...

 

I read that Carolina and Edmonton are interested in Corvo. I say, hell no. He's finally showing flashes of the play he had early last season. The guy is a premier puck skating defenseman. He's been awesome of late and really helped spark play during the "slump". I liked him with the Kings and his game has matured. He's picking his spots to attack and shoot, very well. One of the bright spots on a struggling Sens defense.

Lucky 7

Both the Sens and Lightning have been struggling as of late. And as has been the pattern, the Sens fell behind early due to defensive errors. They slowly bring up the intensity as the game goes on. Eventually tie the game late, then lose. This time in the shootout. Almost all of the last 7 games have been at least entertaining, come from behind rallies.  The team is still scoring at least 3 goals a game. Usually that's enough to win.  It's clearly a case of not being able to defend.

 

Emery was pretty good last night. He got hosed on a turnover and missed assignment. He was solid on the powerplays, and had really good rebound control and puck coverage. I think he's returning to form. In the 3rd, he was screened/interfered by Vinny, but there was no call. They score the go ahead goal. Minutes later there's a bench minor unsportsmanlike for him still jawing at the ref about it. Then he took a swing at Prospal's ankles for bumping into him. Is Emery a head case? Yes. But I think he actually plays better when a little angry.

 

 

 

Karma

The Sens can't seem to buy a win. Just like they couldn't lose early in the season. I figure it's a balance shifting back in the hockey karma universe. That, or Gerber coming back to reality (From 0.950 SV% to 0.880 SV%)

To make a losing streak worse, Volchenkov broke his finger last game. Out 4 weeks at least. So he joins Eaves on the IR. I guess this gives Schubert his chance to play top 6 defense. He wants to move back from forward, so he has something to prove. Also, it gives Foligno another chance to get out of the AHL.

In retrospect, the best thing to happen to the Sens last year was the tough December/January. Injuries and slumping brought the team together. I thought we were past that. But maybe a refresher is in order? I think they right the ship soon. Tonight would be good.

Rex

From TSN - The Pittsburgh Penguins have placed forwared Mark Recchi on waivers.
Recchi, 39, has had a difficult year - playing in only 19 of the Pens' 26 games this year and has registered just two goals and six assists. Recchi has been a healthy scratch in seven of the last eight games.

Ironically, Monday was "Mark Recchi Bobblehead" night in Pittsburgh.

Sucks for Recchi. I wouldn't be surprised to see him do well on another team. But Pittsburgh was a homecoming for him; not sure he wants to go anywhere else. Like JR, I think he's near the end of his career and wanted to play at home; but also was not granted sympathy playing time on a young team. Similarly, I figure he would play for a winner and another shot at a Cup.

Saw that Downie is back in the NHL. So, mark Jan 20th on the calendar. That's when McGratton beats Downie's ass. I have mixed feelings about the Phlyers. I know that some teams are goony. But not sure Philly is that team. The NHL needs to target headshots & cheapshots & cheap headshots. But, making the Flyers the posterboy team for bad hits doesn't seem fair. I don't think the coaches are teaching or encouraging marginal/dirty play. I think player history, game situation, intent and damage are bigger factors than the team a guy plays on.