Officially Done?

Well, the Senators' distant playoff dream is even more bleak. While not mathematically eliminated, last night's loss hurt. They played a playoff-like game, which was fun to watch. The result was not fun. 1-2 loss to the equally hot Hurricanes.

HAKODATE!!

This is a post that truly belongs on Blogzilla. Japanese tourism + creativity + Gojira = awesome!

 

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/26/robot-giant-squid-have-epic-battle-in-japanese-tourism-videos/

Rolling

Well, the Sens faint playoff hopes are still alive. Yeah, a couple weeks back they were playing better under new head coach Cory Clouston. It was stated how they had a mathematical chance of making the playoffs if they won 16 games in a row. Well, that number is now down to 10. Still daunting. But I've watched these guys stink it up for most of the season, I at least deserve to see them play well and come back from 0-2 leads. Some very good hockey played by the Sens. Despite some pretty soft goals allowed, the Sens have reeled off a nice 5 game win streak, 8-game point streak.

In the end this means that they will get oh so close to the 8th playoff spot, only to regret some weak games they played in November-January. IF they make the playoffs I'll buy their third jersey, which I like, but it will clearly be the 'miracle' jersey. Giving me power over impossible odds.

 

One away...

Well, Oven chicken is one goal away from another 50-goal season. Marty is one win away from passing Roy. That would be a pretty sweet St. Patty's Day. Seeing Partick (Roy) himself falling back two #2 all time. The press will have a field day with that one, and I love it.

Sens came back from two goals down to steal a shootout win from the Penguins.  Where were those kinds of efforts earlier this year? Not many (or any?) comeback in the first half of the season. Much less shootout victories. I gotta say that Comrie is the skill that the Sens need to have around for situations like that.

 

High Glove

Auld got beat high on the glove side repeatedly last night. Before the fourth line could even hit the ice it was 0-2. Neil attempted to spark the team with a fight. Sens cut it to 1-2. Ended the period down 1-3. I wanted to turn off the TV at 1-4. Sens actually made it interesting and cut the lead to 3-4, before an empty netter made it 3-5. Not the best effort from the Sens, as expected/predicted.

Brodeur beat the Coyotes. And as expected can tie Roy's all-time wins mark this weekend.

Also, Tiger is back on the course. I didn't count last week, since it was a match-play tournament. We'll see how he does. A bit more interesting to me is the Haney Project. Apparently, Hank Haney is attempting to 'fix' the worst swing in golf, Charles Barkley. The biggest surprise to me was that Sir Charles could actually hit the ball at one point and got down to a single digit handicap, then his swing became what it is today.

 

4

Sens have won 4 games in a row, this during their 8-game homestand which just ended. Not bad. I guess they are 10-5-1 under the new head coach. That's not too shabby considering the shaky goaltending that's happened for half of those games. But without the offensive resurgence under the new, aggressive forecheck system, those bad goals would have spelled doom earlier in the season.

Elliott won again last night, but he's hardy the model of consistency. I feel bad for him. I think the organization rushed him, in hindsight. They will be rushing him out the door next season, since Leclaire will be designated the starter.

Chris Neil is back from IR tonight. A lacerated calf muscle, from an opponent's skate, took some time to come back from. For the Sens it will be back-to-back games, starting a roadtrip, playoffs out of reach; not much to play for. Neil plays for pride. Here's hoping he can lift the team.

Battle of Ontario

Well, it wasn't exactly a battle, since the Sens are not playoff bound and Brad May didn't have McGratton or Neil to fight. There was probably more fighting in the Lakers game. But it was a pretty tight game. Elliott gave up a soft-ish goal, and fortunately the Sens responded with two second period goals. Wilson made it interesting with the 'illegal stick' check and got a powerplay with 2-minutes to play. Spezza's blade looks all wrong to me, sort of like a malnourised banana, but it's now confirmed to be illegal. Sens pull out the win, anyway.

Kings are on a roll of late. 3 wins in a row. They're 3 points ot of 8th. Still well in the playoff hunt. C'mon Kings!

Brodeur is on pace to possibly tie Roy's career win mark this weekend. And by coincidence, they play Montreal. I would love to see him do that against Roy's old team. Too bad the 'Lanche aren't on the schedule shortly after that...

 

Finishing Strong

Well, there's not a whole lot for the Sens to play for right now. Even if they ran the table, there's a great chance they still miss the playoffs. So, why is it that Spezza decides to man-up for the first time in his career and try to fight Dion Phaneuf for hammering Heatley? It was a decent effort and Spezza tried for a few good rights. Last game, Donovan plays with a horribly broken and swollen nose. Granted, he was a scratch a few games back and for damn sure wasn't leaving the ice if possible. But the guy was a bloody mess. His first shift back out there he gets faceplanted, again. He finished the game. Damn that guy's tough. Aflie has been playing with a broken jaw and missed only one game.

What's going on? Why did the Sens balls drop after their season is basically over? I hope it's the new head coach's fault. If he can get them to warrior-up for the end of a meaningless season, look out for next year, especially the playoffs.

 

Leclaire

After a solid day of thinking about it, I'm a little disappointed in the Leclaire acquisition. He may be a legit starting goalie, but any goalie with a history of injury problems is bad news. There's nothing more frustrating than a goalie that's in and out of the lineup. As long as he stays off the IR, I'm hopeful. But I see brittle goalies as a thing to shy away from.

I'm probably just as disappointed that the Sens aren't loaded with draft picks/prospects. I was sure that Bell, Schubert, Neil, Kuba, or Comrie were going to bring in something. Anything. It would have at least given the appearance of change/hope. 

My deadline dream was getting rid of Spezza, for a top tier goalie. I'd sacrifice the offense to shore up the goaltending.

The bottom line is that the rest of the season will be tough to watch. There's nothing to play for. Leclaire probably won't play until next season. PK will be worse with Vermette gone.

My only hope is that, with the current state of goaltending, the Sens will slide down the ranking and improve their draft pick. I guess I'm rooting for a 29th or 30th place finish.

Meh

A rather underwhelming trade deadline. I guess the biggest trade was the Coyotes shipping Ollie Jokinen to the Flames, for a pick and younger players. Flames also brought back Leopold. Coyotes and Ducks were the biggest sellers.

Gerber got picked-up off waivers by Toronto. That seemed like an April Fool's joke. Sens and Leafs are big rivals. They definitely wouldn't want the Sens has-been goalie, or would they? Turns out Toskala is done for the year, with injury. Leafs aren't making the playoffs. Gerber is an experienced goalie, that can finish the season. Still, the Maple Leaf fan forums will be buzzing with trash talk by Sens fans.

It's interesting that Neil wasn't moved or signed. I thought for sure a team would want him for a playoff run. I guess Murray wanted too many high draft picks/prospects and Neil wanted too much money. A weird situation now.

The Kings moved O'Sullivan and got Justin Williams. I've been impressed with O'Sullivan's speed this year, and he looked good in spurts this year. Maybe the Kings don't see him getting better, but they might be giving up on him too early. Williams is an upgrade, might be the boost to get them in the playoffs. If not, it's still a safe trade.

I think the Bruins getting Recchi may play out to be the smart pre-playoff upgrade. We'll see.

 

 

First Deal

Sens trade Vermette to Columbus for goalie Pascal Leclaire and a 2nd round pick in '09. On the surface this deal seems exactly what the Sens need, but I'm not familiar with Leclaire. He needs to be a starter next year, is coming off ankle surgery and a horrible year. His price tag is high, $4-million the next two years. Could be a disaster, but a bold move. Im not crazy about it, as Leclaire also has a history of injuries. But Murray is addressing what the Sens desperately need, goaltending.

Buyers remorse will happen. Vermette will probably be productive, especially if paired with Rick Nash. The guy is a faceoff wizard, and kills penalties. I think he will have career numbers next year. He just doesn't get enough playing time in Ottawa.

The Sens also extended Kuba for 3-years, $3.7 million. So that's a trade deal that won't happen. I just wish he used his big frame more. But he's had a pretty good year, despite the team not playing very well. I think he can be even better, once the team has a full year of Clouston, and a 'real' goalie.

Very quiet

The first domino has yet to fall. Several players have been placed on waivers.  But no trades have gone down just yet. Just over 25 hours to go...

Shutout watch

I'm still on Brodeur watch. With the Sens struggling to find a netminder, it's that much easier to appreciate an all-star. But Martin got shutout #100. Three more ties Terry Sawchuck for all time NHL shutouts. That's pretty huge.

Missed the Sens game this weekend, but read that it was plagued with poor goaltending. I think they managed to ruin a decent prospect in Brian Elliott. Right now his confidence is in shambles. Like a typical LA Kings move, they might have brought him in too soon. Speaking of, the Kings need to right the ship and get some wins. The Western Conference playoff race is slipping away with consecutive losses. Not good.

I'm hoping for good news by the middle of this week. Trade deadline. Maybe some prospects or draft picks to talk about.