The Ottawa Senators lost their second straight game to the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight 4-2. Ottawa was without defensemen Chris Phillips with flu. Phillips tried to suit up last minute but the flu was too much for him to do so.
The Sens came out flat tonight and showed no emotion or desire for most of the game.
Ray Emery was average in goal, surprising to me as I really thought he would elevate his game tonight. Although at times he didn't get much help from his defense. Which leads me to my next question. Do you think Ottawa plays harder in front of Emery or Martin Gerber?
The Sens defense was miserable tonight, and without Phillips the defensive shortcomings were more noticeable than ever. Meszaros had his worst game of the season taking 3 penalties in the 2nd period alone. From Corvo to Richardson to Schubert, too many breakdowns and not enough physical presence on the blueline. The play of Wade Redden was actually worse than the last few games which is hard to believe. I really didn't think he could regress anymore but he managed to do so. Honestly, I don't know what to say anymore when it comes to the play of Redden. He is wearing an "A" and supposed to be a leader on this team yet he is a passenger on WAY too many nights and goes out of his way to avoid physical contact. What is wrong with him? How on earth does nobody call this guy out in the Sens locker room?
Bryan Murray needs to acquire a top 4 defensemen before a top six forward because his team can't keep the puck out of the net. Anton Volchenkov can't do it all on his own and when Phillips is not in the line-up it really shows how poor Ottawa is on the blueline.
Nick Foligno and Randy Robitaille had solid games tonight while Mike Fisher was his usual self....doing it all every shift! What else can you say about the guy? He needs an "A" permanently on his jersey.
If Daniel Alfredsson or Dany Heatley can't return for Tuesday's game in Montreal then they should just wait until a week from tonight to return as Florida is in Thursday night.
How long will the average play continue by the Ottawa Senators?
Kevin
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Nice to see Neil score and show up as he was extemely quiet the first two periods. Tie game, now we are in for a nice finish!
Sens had all the momentum and then Meszaros looks terrible once again. Boy has he been terrible tonight.
Game, set....match as they say! Emery was undressed BIG time! Jason Blake...what a goal! Mind you, did anyone see Richardson just standing next to Emery on the play. Come on Luke!
Emery has been average tonight. What to do with the goaltending situation?
Redden continues his awful play, he gets beat out on an icing call for pure laziness!
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Luke Richardson should NOT be killing penalties. I like what he brings to the table in other ways but this type of role is too much for me.
5 on 3 upcoming for the Leafs.
Meszaros comes out of the box and takes another penalty. Three straight penalties to the Sens....come on! Nice job though by the Sens PK!
Emery has played better this period. Chris Kelly just can't finish though. Career 3rd liner. and is not going to be worth the 1.5 - 2 million he will ask for this summer.
Great chance by Spezza, there he is, he really did dress tonight!
Meszaros gets his 3rd penalty in less than 7 minutes. Unreal! If Phillips was playing I would say Paddock should nail him to the bench. Keep your feet moving Andrej!
Is Chris Neil dressed? Tongue in cheek when asking that question. Neil is a passenger on way too many nights. This guy is an energy player and he needs to play his role better.
Tough for Ottawa to get anything going offensively when they can't get any flow to their game being in the penalty box most of the period.
What an incredible effort by Fisher. How on earth was that NOT a penalty, oh I forgot, Fisher is not wearing BLUE!
Fisher almost scored on his butt and back to the net, that would have been unreal!
Fisher has been a horse once again.
Leafs outshooting Ottawa 21-9 after the 2nd period.
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I am predicting a low scoring affair tonight at the ACC. Lets say 3-1 Sens. Post your pick and lets get the in-game discussion going shortly.
A couple of nice scoring chances by the Leafs early. Ray Emery has looked solid to start the game.
It will be interesting to see how the Sens respond without Phillips now on the blueline.
Another great chance by the Leafs. Sens are flat once again without their captain! Come on....enough is enough.
Nice PK by the Sens, no shots on goal during the PP by the Leafs.
Bob Cole really needs to stop saying Ottawa Sens. It sounds terrible.
Again, big surprise....Emery doesn't communicate with his defense. He has even admitted in interviews that he needs to communicate with his defense better. Terrible goal! Good on the Leafs for capitalizing on the miscue.
Two bad goals by Emery and counting. Everyone is so quick to get on Gerber when he doesn't control a rebound, well voila.....the exact same thing that happened to Gerber on Thurdsay night on the Bruins second goal. PP goal by the Leafs.
This Sens team looks listless, no emotion, no desire. Where is Jason Spezza?
Lets see if that Sens goal gives them some jump. Nick Foligno scores on a deflection right after the Leafs PP goal. Now if the Sens can only keep this momentum going. They have had nothing most of the first period.
Sens finished the 1st period cycling the puck quite well and were very solid on the forecheck. Finally they woke up and seem to be working much better. Too bad it took them 15 minutes to realize a game was going on.
Leafs outshot the Sens 12-4 in the first period.
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