Four of the Sens most prominent leaders on this team absolutely should be ashamed of themselves for even bothering to dress tonight. Yes, that's right, 4 of Ottawa's leaders decided to not bother elevating their games when their team needed them most in a 4-0 loss to Pittsburgh in Game 1 of their first round series. How do these four players call that an honest effort? Sens fans are sick and tired of hearing Spezza and Heatley tell us what they have to do to be successful. For starters, it would be nice if they tried competing harder than the opposition.
Dany Coastley lived up to his nickname in fine form. At least he was consistent at one thing, not moving his feet or playing with any passion from start to finish. Heatley you are wearing an "A" and it would be nice if you led by example, but I guess that would be asking for too much, wouldn't? Gutless!
Jason Spezza continued to play like he is in junior, trying to skate end to end through the entire Pens team. Try something different on the PP instead of the backdoor pass to Heatley. Teams have been onto you for months. It wouldn't hurt to be creative. Both of these players refuse to create space for themselves and started the playoffs right where they left off on Friday night, no passion or desire. Neither player didn't want to fight back all night long and it doesn't help when Bryan Murray leaves the biggest stiff on the team as part of the number one line. Enough is enough Mr. Murray, it's not working.
Wade Redden should write a book on how to play a passionless game. "Passionless" is about the easiest word to sum up Redden's season in Ottawa while collecting 6.5 million. Someone should explain to him that it's a game of hockey, you are allowed to throw a bodycheck. Try it Wade, or do you fear elevating your game?
Lets save the worst for last, Chris Neil. You are paid to set the tone and play with an edge. You are supposed to drive the net and create space for your linemates. But, yet again, you disappear on the road, your act is growing very tiresome among Sens fans. You register a grand total of ONE HIT, while your rookie linemate playing in his first NHL playoff game gets three less minutes of icetime and registers FOUR HITS! What a joke!
The sad thing is, all four of these players are veterans who decided to be passengers tonight and pull their disappearing act when their team needed them most.
Sens were outshot 36 to 25, outhit 35 to 29 and has 20 missed shots on goal.
Positives tonight - Brian Lee and Chris Phillips had strong games on the blueline but Phillips need to get a mean streak going and play with more of an edge. Shean Donovan along with other role players played very strong games. Foligno and Cody Bass were easy to spot on each shift as was Cory Stillman.
Anton Volchenkov left the game early in the second period with a bad cut to the face and didn't return. Still not update on his status for Game 2. The loss of A-Train was evident as the Pens had their way with Redden in the offensive zone with nobody on the pairing willing to play a physical game.
Ottawa made Marc-Andre Fleury look like Martin Brodeur tonight. He was rarely tested. But hey, he made the saves he needed to for his team.
Jordan Staal was a monster on the PK and single handedly killed many Sens chances. The Sens PP was their demise as they had two 5 on 3's and failed to score.
The Pens rolled 4 lines tonight and the Sens depth was a serious issue. It's too bad, because on a night when Martin Gerber gave his team a chance to win, the Sens failed at rewarding their goaltender with a little offense. But afterall, it's the playoffs and the Sens had trouble finding the back of the net, big surprise!
Sidney Crosby was held scoreless and was not a huge factor tonight.
Bottom line, NO KILLER INSTINCT on this Senators squad! If it doesn't change early in game 2 on Friday night, this could be a short series. Your stars need to become superstars on Friday night, this is the time of year that you earn your keep in this league. Will these supposed superstars elevate their games? Time will tell, but it can't come soon enough.
Tomorrow at 11am I will be going on a hockey show to talk some Sens hockey. If you want to listen in, click on the following link.
www.mvn.com/thehockeyticket
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Kevin
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Another 5 on 3 for the Sens. Bury your chances, they are running out of them.
Wade Redden should be ashamed to wear a Senators jersey tonight. PP for the Pens thanks to Redden's don't care attitude!
A couple of more nice saves by Gerber. Lee and Donovan have been super tonight for Ottawa!
Another PP in which the Sens forwards are guilty of not moving their feet. This game was lost on the PP.
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Pens 4th line continues to dominate the Sens down low. Sens 3rd line is lacking alot of effort so far. Big surprise, Chris Neil has disappeared on the road again. Foligno looks scared out there. McAmmond is the only one with any passion on this unit.
Gerber makes two very nice point blank saves. Sens D is collapsing way too easily. If their was a time of possession stat, Pittsburgh would own the 2nd period. Sens can't clear their defensive zone. Nobody is skating.
Sens are killing penalties quite well and Gerber just made that game saving save! Volchenkov ain't returning, lots of blood and it looks like the puck hit him in the forehead.
Ottawa has barely played in the offensive zone this period. Too many penalties and at times they are barely keeping their head above water. Constantly struggling to clear the defensive zone.
Ottawa desperately needs to do something on the PP. Foligno worked his butt off and drew a penalty. Nice work by the rookie! Where are the rest of the veterans?
Is Martin Lapointe the first Senators player to go to the net?
Huge 5 on 3 coming up! Anything less than one goal on this opportunity and this team is done.
Stillman gets stoned by Fleury. His first real big save of the game comes with 3 minutes left in the 2nd period. That just goes to show you how much the Sens have played in the offensive zone.
Great pressure by Ottawa on the 5 on 4, Stillman rings it off the post. That would have been a huge goal. Sens have to fight for their chances. Eventually they will get rewarded.
Sens getting outshot 25 to 18 but have 18 missed shots on goal. Sens getting outhit 25 to 22 but winning the faceoff battle.
Ottawa HAS to score on the PP to begin the period if they plan on getting any momentum. Props to Gerber for a fabulous period and keeping his team in the game.
Still way too many passengers on that Ottawa bench.
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Fourth line scores and Wade Redden looks lost again. Gerber looked very weak on the goal. The Sens killer Gary Roberts scores.
Great shift by the 2nd line of Stillman/Vermette/Donovan. Their relentless forecheck sucked Jordan Staal in nicely. PP Ottawa.
Terrible PP by Ottawa. Heatley looks like he is going to coast once again. Enough is enough this floater. Nice PK by the Pens.
Things have really slowed down. That jump Pittsburgh had has tailed off considerably.
Gerber looks terrible tonight, constantly fighting the puck. Terrible job by Commodore on the pinch causing the 2 on 1.
Did Spezza and Heatley think gametime was 8pm? These two are downright terrible. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Sens outshot 10-8 and outhit 17-14 after the first period. 2nd line are each a -2 and have a combined 5 missed shots on goal. The thing is, they have brought the most energy and created the most scoring chances.
Murray, you better tear a strip off Spezza and Heatley. We are finding out in a hurry that these two fail to elevate their games when needed most. They might be stars but far from superstars. You earn your keep in the playoffs and without Alfie both of them look lost!
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Predictions for tonight anyone? Back in 5 minutes for puck drop. First 10 minutes will tell alot about tonight's game. Lets get it going!
Kevin
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