Many Senators fans expected a big rebound game from the Ottawa Senators tonight. Instead, the 18,000 plus in attendance witnessed three unanswered goals by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period to dispose of the Senators 4-2 at Scotiabank Place.
There are many problems on this Senators team and one has to wonder if there are just too many to fix to get this team back on track.
The Senators lacked desperation in their game tonight. Ottawa was outshot 30-17 and demonstrated a unwillingness to create opportunities by outworking their opponent. This is a team that sorely needed the two points and you would think after the lame effort put out two nights ago at home to the Boston Bruins that as a team Ottawa would put out a sixty minute effort. Unfortunately for those who shelled out quality dollars again to have a seat at tonights game walked away scratching their head in amazement at how a team could demonstrate very little in the way of emotion or desire.
Is it me or does it feel like the players on this team don't play hard for one another? You really have to wonder as a fan watching tonight if this Senators team has what it takes to turn this ship around. The Senators lacked a strong forecheck, the ability to drive the net and most of all an edge, something that has plagued this team for years. There was not one Ottawa Senator tonight who was willing to pay the price.
From the goaltender out to the defense and to the forwards, there was a serious lack of leadership. The body language of this team speaks volumes. Ray Emery fought the puck tonight and now for two straight outings has looked very average. The defense were guilty of not moving their feet on numerous occasions. How many times did you witness a Senators defense pairing caught in the wrong position? The forwards continue to play a perimeter game on this team and show no willingness to do the little things to be successful. Get in the goaltenders face and drive the net, a concept that no player on this team seems to understand. It is quite sickening to watch when the opposition is doing just the opposite and getting rewarded for their effort.
Plain and simple tonight, the Lightning players wanted this game more than the Senators did. As long as this type of mentality continues, I question the character on this team. It seems as though nobody is holding anyone accountable on this Senators roster.
The Ottawa Senators used to be a very tough team on home ice, now teams have no fear when going on the road to play Ottawa. Tonight was just another example of how far this team has fallen. We are now 36 games into the season and I think you can officially hit the panic button.
This team needs a few changes more than ever. What those changes might be are up for debate. Ottawa will not go far with this current roster. I for one think the roster needs a player or two to come into that dressing room and rattle a few feathers so to speak. It seems as though too many players on this current squad are too comfortable and need someone to rattle their cage and get the most out of each player.
Motivation, leadership, accountability are just a few words that come to mind when I think about what this team lacks. Can this problem be fixed? Many fans hope that general manager John Muckler realizes the issues on this team before it is too late. With each passing game the Senators are sliding further back in the Eastern Conference.
At this point in the season, fans want progress but instead the Senators are consistently inconsistent.
NOTE - Two huge thumbs down to assistant captain Wade Redden for not coming out for the three stars. Two huge thumbs up for Martin St. Louis of the Lightning for coming out for the three stars and giving away a stick. It is pretty sad when the home team not only gets shown up on the scoreboard but as well on fan appreciation. How quickly the players forget about the "Thank You Fans" logo on the ice surface last year in all arenas. Pierre Maguire of TSN is 100% correct when he says it should be mandatory for all 3 players to come out that were named stars. Is it asking them that much?
**Thanks to the many more who e-mailed me over the last day. I will get back to all you as time permits on Friday. I must say, the e-mails are very thought out and many of you bring up great points. I will do a blog over the Christmas break and post peoples thoughts and opinions that I have received but will keep all names anonymous.**
Kevin
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