Archive for November, 2008

30
Nov

Secondary Players Let Sens Down

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Player Talk

The Sens lost to the Islanders last night 4-2 (incl. an empty net) marking the first time the Islanders have ever beaten Ottawa three times in a row or in a year.

The big line did their job by scoring two goals with all three picking up 2 pts on the night.

The problem?  Mike Fisher -3, Chris Kelly -2, Antoinne Vermette -2.

While it would be nice to have those guys chip in a goal every once and a while…what is certainly required is that they at least stop getting scored on.

—

And according to the Ottawa Sun - Lee, Bass and Z. Smith have all been sent down to the minors. The next Sens game is not until Wednesday, so they are probably counting on some of McAmmond, Donovan, Neil and Picard to be ready.

Bass played well while in town.  Lee was worse than the last time we saw him - so soft.  Didn’t notice Z. Smith do anything positive or negative.

27
Nov

Fisher back and on the point

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Coaching, Player Talk and Team

It has been announced that Fisher is going to play tonight and Hartsburg will use him on the point again.

While I think Hartsburg has made some real solid decisions (Auld over Gerber) since his arrival, some have been quite odd.

Fisher has zero ability to run a PP. Sure he has a canon of a shot, but even then he never hits the net! He’s more likely to injure one of the big three than hit the back of the mesh.

Further, he’s always found it difficult to click with skilled players…thus, running a PP seems like a real odd choice.

It seems as thought this organization is still afraid to put Alfies back there based on what happened against Buffalo three seasons ago. But the reality is that the team had the best PP in the league that year and Alfie was a big reason why.

 #11 sees the game about as well as anyone in the league. And while his shot might not crack the 100 mph barrier - it is incredibly accurate!

In conclusion, put Alfie on the point and Fisher in front of the net, or on the bench, and the Sens’ PP will be all set.

26
Nov

Rumours

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

According to SensChirp and the Forums the main one being discussed allegedly involves the Sens sending Vermette, Lee and a 1st for Bowmeester.

While Bowmeester seems to be exactly what the Senators need at this point the price does seem a bit steep to pay considering there’s a good chance he’d walk as a UFA in the summer.

26
Nov

Back in Blog

By redalert 0 Comments
Categories: Coaching, Entertainment, Injuries, Player Talk, Prospects and Team

Sorry about the prolonged absence … let’s get this show on the road.  To celebrate the Sens’ fantastical stumble out of the gate I will attempt to summarize the first 20 games with 20 points.

It’s in modified chronological order.

20.  Sens start 1-0-1 after the Sweden trip against the defending Eastern Conference Champions and Sidney Crosby.

19.  The top two players to finish the 2007-08 campaign, Cody Bass and Brian Lee, didn’t make the team.  Or in Lee’s case - he didn’t make the team for very long.

18.   The big line gets off to a relatively fast start points wise through 8ish games.

17.  The big line gets broken up.

16.  The Sens lose roughly 8 of 12 games.

15.  Schubert is aparently despised by the new coach.  He’s been benched for about half the games and Hartsburg has no plans to re-insert him into the lineup.

14.  Gerber sucks.

13.  Big line broken up.

12.  Gerber gets injured.

11.  Sens lose a pile of games. 

10.  Despite losses, Auld posts top 5 numbers for goalies in the NHL.

9.  Auld takes over #1 goalie position.

8.  Kuba leads all NHL d-man for assists!

7.  Big line tails off big time….likely because they’re no longer playing together.

6.  No secondary scoring….Fisher fails to pick up his first point until November 4th - game 12 on the year.  Further, 20 games in ad Vermette has 5 points, Fisher has 6.

5.  Fisher and Neil get injured.  Ruutu suspended.  Shannon called up and injured.  Zubov and Bass called up. 

4.  Big line reunited. 

3.  Sens have picked up four of 6 points in their past three games.  While the lost two games 1 and 2 in that stretch they only did so in a shootout.  Their play has been much improved.

2.  Zubov sent down.

1.  Ruutu beats Rangers.