Jared Crozier: We have a series! - Rangers dominate game 3 to narrow Sens lead to 2-1

True and true. The Rangers came out with 150% effort in the first and looked like a different team. As I predicted they did start to run out of steam playing slower in the second and quite a bit slower in the third I thought, but by then the damage was done and the Sens, who were off all night, just didn't have an answer.

I'm sure the Sens will re-bound and bring a better game on Thursday, but my biggest concern really is our size. The Rags brought in that Glass fellow who looked to be some kind of enforcer type and it's just another big body. With Smith possibly injured now, what are we going to do? Bring in another little fellow like Pyatt? We have great skill, but I just don't know if we can match the physically of a big group like the Rags in what is sure to be a long series now. Maybe Boro? Certainly not Neil...

If there is one positive, it is that I could check out of the game emotionally really early, less stress, so that is a plus.

On the negative side, EK looks like his foot is getting worse, and if Smith/Ryan are out or ineffective due to injury for long, then The Sens could easily become part of that 11% of teams who lose a series after being up 2-0. Either way, hope they fight as hard as they can in game 4!

True and true. The Rangers came out with 150% effort in the first and looked like a different team. As I predicted they did start to run out of steam playing slower in the second and quite a bit slower in the third I thought, but by then the damage was done and the Sens, who were off all night, just didn't have an answer.

I'm sure the Sens will re-bound and bring a better game on Thursday, but my biggest concern really is our size. The Rags brought in that Glass fellow who looked to be some kind of enforcer type and it's just another big body. With Smith possibly injured now, what are we going to do? Bring in another little fellow like Pyatt? We have great skill, but I just don't know if we can match the physically of a big group like the Rags in what is sure to be a long series now. Maybe Boro? Certainly not Neil...
- sgoodwin

One of the rangers biggest issues is a full 60 minutes, even last night they took the 2nd period off kind of. It's very frustrating. But Ottawa did play much better and I'm not sure if a team works harder then Ottawa does. Pageau giving us nightmares haha.

The Rangers have gotten a lot tougher this post season then in the past. Smith has a lot to do with that imo, they have fed off his toughness

The Brass Zib game within the game is all rangers so far but Brass can come alive very easily which is also scary

What is up with Neil? He is usually someone ranger fans don't like seeing in the lineup.

One of the rangers biggest issues is a full 60 minutes, even last night they took the 2nd period off kind of. It's very frustrating. But Ottawa did play much better and I'm not sure if a team works harder then Ottawa does. Pageau giving us nightmares haha.

The Rangers have gotten a lot tougher this post season then in the past. Smith has a lot to do with that imo, they have fed off his toughness

The Brass Zib game within the game is all rangers so far but Brass can come alive very easily which is also scary

What is up with Neil? He is usually someone ranger fans don't like seeing in the lineup.
- Slimtj100

neil is done....Ottawa let him get to 1000 games and he basically hasn't played since. he's not the same player he used to be, and hasn't been for about 2-3 years now.....he contributes almost nothing on the ice anymore. his contract is up at the end of this season and I fully expect him to announce his retirement and maybe take a front office job with the team or something.

If there is one positive, it is that I could check out of the game emotionally really early, less stress, so that is a plus.

On the negative side, EK looks like his foot is getting worse, and if Smith/Ryan are out or ineffective due to injury for long, then The Sens could easily become part of that 11% of teams who lose a series after being up 2-0. Either way, hope they fight as hard as they can in game 4!
- wilkobecks

I fully believe that if the score were tied, Ryan would have come back to finish the game.
EK65 did look like he was in pain, but again, in a different game where you guys are in it, he probably doesn't feel that as much. He's a warrior and still scares the piss out of me!
Any chance Neil gets the call for Smith? As much as he would help our speed advantage, he always seems able to throw guys off their game.
Expecting a much different vibe from Ottawa on Thursday!

True and true. The Rangers came out with 150% effort in the first and looked like a different team. As I predicted they did start to run out of steam playing slower in the second and quite a bit slower in the third I thought, but by then the damage was done and the Sens, who were off all night, just didn't have an answer.

I'm sure the Sens will re-bound and bring a better game on Thursday, but my biggest concern really is our size. The Rags brought in that Glass fellow who looked to be some kind of enforcer type and it's just another big body. With Smith possibly injured now, what are we going to do? Bring in another little fellow like Pyatt? We have great skill, but I just don't know if we can match the physically of a big group like the Rags in what is sure to be a long series now. Maybe Boro? Certainly not Neil...
- sgoodwin

Glass was last seasons whipping boy. He spent the entire season in the A, and it seems to have made him commit to becoming a more well-rounded player. He's never going to be a point producer, but when he gets in the line up now, he seems to have an impact. Who woulda thought?

True and true. The Rangers came out with 150% effort in the first and looked like a different team. As I predicted they did start to run out of steam playing slower in the second and quite a bit slower in the third I thought, but by then the damage was done and the Sens, who were off all night, just didn't have an answer.

I'm sure the Sens will re-bound and bring a better game on Thursday, but my biggest concern really is our size. The Rags brought in that Glass fellow who looked to be some kind of enforcer type and it's just another big body. With Smith possibly injured now, what are we going to do? Bring in another little fellow like Pyatt? We have great skill, but I just don't know if we can match the physically of a big group like the Rags in what is sure to be a long series now. Maybe Boro? Certainly not Neil...
- sgoodwin

I couldn't agree more. I think the Sens are a better team and I honestly think will ultimately int he series but watching last night. The Sens were just bouncing off the Rangers.

I'm hoping they put in more effort moving forward and I'm really hoping they put in White, i think some first time young could rejuvenate the team a bit. I also think they should have sat Karlsson for the 3rd last game, i'm sure he wants to play but the guy needs a break and needs to rest that ankle.

If someone told me the 2017 Sens would be up 2-1 in the second round of the playoffs in spite of Craig Anderson and not because of him, I would have slapped him in the face and told him to go home.

My apologies to all Sens fans this morning.

I missed the game last night, and therefore did not have my customary 3 Beau's Lugtread........

This one's on me.

But..... i'll be Thursday, with Beau's in the fridge, so fear not.

If anyone should sit out a game for the Sens I think it should be Mark Stone. He has played like crap lately and is just not up to speed. He's missing assignments and just not his normal self.

A guy I'd like to see put back in is Borowiecki. He's got that physical presence that the Sens are missing right now. While not the fastest skater he does follow through on this checks and makes the other team's players think twice.

I still have faith in the Sens but they need to start matching intensity with the Rags. Some players are going to have to take their bumps and hope that we have enough depth to cover those that need a break.

My apologies to all Sens fans this morning.

I missed the game last night, and therefore did not have my customary 3 Beau's Lugtread........

This one's on me.

But..... i'll be Thursday, with Beau's in the fridge, so fear not.
- SensnRBs

Get it together, man

My apologies to all Sens fans this morning.

I missed the game last night, and therefore did not have my customary 3 Beau's Lugtread........

This one's on me.

But..... i'll be Thursday, with Beau's in the fridge, so fear not.
- SensnRBs

I miss Beau's....the microbrews in Halifax are weak

that being said, I just spent the last couple of months in Europe (France and Germany) where the microbrews are INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!

If anyone should sit out a game for the Sens I think it should be Mark Stone. He has played like crap lately and is just not up to speed. He's missing assignments and just not his normal self.

A guy I'd like to see put back in is Borowiecki. He's got that physical presence that the Sens are missing right now. While not the fastest skater he does follow through on this checks and makes the other team's players think twice.

I still have faith in the Sens but they need to start matching intensity with the Rags. Some players are going to have to take their bumps and hope that we have enough depth to cover those that need a break.
- Rafterman

They were just talking about that on the team 1200. I agree, for me it's Stone and Ceci who need to get it together the most.

Boro is hurt, I'd like to give White a chance

They were just talking about that on the team 1200. I agree, for me it's Stone and Ceci who need to get it together the most.

Boro is hurt, I'd like to give White a chance
- Maverick1818

ceci doesn't need to sit.....he needs to be fired into the (frank)ing sun. he's a terrible hockey player, I'd venture to say he might be the worst player that we dressed last night. I have NO IDEA what the organization sees in him

ceci doesn't need to sit.....he needs to be fired into the (frank)ing sun. he's a terrible hockey player, I'd venture to say he might be the worst player that we dressed last night. I have NO IDEA what the organization sees in him
- sensarmy_11

Put anyone in the organization (other than EK) in the 3-4 paring with Dion "leadfoot" Phaneuf and make him play against the other teams best players and I guarantee you he will look worse than Ceci does.

Put anyone in the organization (other than EK) in the 3-4 paring with Dion "leadfoot" Phaneuf and make him play against the other teams best players and I guarantee you he will look worse than Ceci does.
- Charliebox

come on man.....do you watch. ceci being awful has NOTHING to do with phaneuf, if anything phaneuf makes him less awful. it has everything to do with the fact that ceci has less hockey IQ then those little kids who skate around with the flags just prior to puck drop......he's a stupid hockey player, who makes TERRIBLE decisions both with and without the puck.

come on man.....do you watch. ceci being awful has NOTHING to do with phaneuf, if anything phaneuf makes him less awful. it has everything to do with the fact that ceci has less hockey IQ then those little kids who skate around with the flags just prior to puck drop......he's a stupid hockey player, who makes TERRIBLE decisions both with and without the puck.
- sensarmy_11

Phaneuf is ok, only because he has a fast partner. The guy is always out of position.

Ceci has to take every single dump in. Ceci has to skate the puck out of danger all the time. Phaneuf is incapable.

Ceci had the 5th most shifts of any defenceman in the league this season.

Boucher is an NHL coach who many feel should be up for the Jack Adams. Ceci actually got MORE icetime under him than any of our previous coaches.

Believe me, I rip Ceci all the time, but tell me who in the organization would do better in that pairing.

Phaneuf is ok, only because he has a fast partner. The guy is always out of position.

Ceci has to take every single dump in. Ceci has to skate the puck out of danger all the time. Phaneuf is incapable.

Ceci had the 5th most shifts of any defenceman in the league this season.

Boucher is an NHL coach who many feel should be up for the Jack Adams. Ceci actually got MORE icetime under him than any of our previous coaches.

Believe me, I rip Ceci all the time, but tell me who in the organization would do better in that pairing.
- Charliebox

I think claessen would be better, I think englund would probably be better, I KNOW Chabot will be better.

that being said, just because there isn't anyone better to fill a player's spot doesn't mean that guy isn't a terrible player. if they moved ceci right now for a 2nd rd pick and a prospect I'd feel like we made away like bandits.

I think claessen would be better, I think englund would probably be better, I KNOW Chabot will be better.

that being said, just because there isn't anyone better to fill a player's spot doesn't mean that guy isn't a terrible player. if they moved ceci right now for a 2nd rd pick and a prospect I'd feel like we made away like bandits.
- sensarmy_11

Claessen is not better than Ceci and has his hands full with 12 to 15 minutes a night.
The last time Englund dressed for Ottawa at the end of the season, he looked like he lacked confidence and did not play great.
Chabot looks like he will be a top pairing Dman in time but cannot play with the big team at this time anyways.

Claessen is not better than Ceci and has his hands full with 12 to 15 minutes a night.
The last time Englund dressed for Ottawa at the end of the season, he looked like he lacked confidence and did not play great.
Chabot looks like he will be a top pairing Dman in time but cannot play with the big team at this time anyways.
- SensFan25

not sure where you're getting the "claessen struggles" thing from.....he played on the top pair and looked good, and has looked very good on the bottom pair. yesterday wasn't great but that was much more a result of harper having a terrible game.

I also think englund has looked very strong in his limited time with Ottawa

I'm convinced Chabot is already the 2nd or 3rd best d-man on this team and I think if he came up to the big team today he'd instantly pass ceci on the depth chart.

ceci gets lots of ice time for the same reason that cowen got lots of ice time.....the team has invested time and $$ in him and are too stubborn to admit that they made a mistake. ceci isn't quite the tire fire than cowen was...........but he's not far off. people love to point to the fact that he plays lots of minutes as justification for him not sucking, but fail to point out that he looks AWFUL in pretty much all of those minutes.

Anderson, Stone, and Hoffman need to be better. I trust they will.

I miss Beau's....the microbrews in Halifax are weak

that being said, I just spent the last couple of months in Europe (France and Germany) where the microbrews are INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!
- sensarmy_11

gotta say I'm not really a micro-brewery guy, although I do like Beau's and another from a local brewery in Calabogie called Front Porch.

truth be told, I'm an Ex guy ... have been for 30 years (except for a few years when I drank Golden)

I ended up with a 4 pack of Beau's Easter Monday, so I figured, what the hell I have no Ex and I need a pint for the game - and they won. Being somewhat superstitious I bought a 4 pack for game 4 - and they won.

I bought Ex for game 5 and they lost. I returned to Beau's for game 6 - another win...... so, out of the last 6 games its 4 wins with Beau's and 2 losses without it.....

I think claessen would be better, I think englund would probably be better, I KNOW Chabot will be better.

that being said, just because there isn't anyone better to fill a player's spot doesn't mean that guy isn't a terrible player. if they moved ceci right now for a 2nd rd pick and a prospect I'd feel like we made away like bandits.
- sensarmy_11

I keep hoping that no actual confirmation ever comes out verifying the rumor (which has been floated by more than a few sources) that The Sens turned down a Ceci for Drouin swap when Drouin was holding out. There would be no way to continue to function knowing for sure that that actually happened..

I think claessen would be better, I think englund would probably be better, I KNOW Chabot will be better.

that being said, just because there isn't anyone better to fill a player's spot doesn't mean that guy isn't a terrible player. if they moved ceci right now for a 2nd rd pick and a prospect I'd feel like we made away like bandits.
- sensarmy_11

Well it means he's less terrible than the guys in the 5-6 and the two guys sitting.


None of those 4 could play with Phaneuf and defend against the other team's top line.

Claesson, Englund (why even mention him?), Boro, Harpur etc, would have been absolutely eaten alive if they had to take a regular shift against the Marchand/Bergeron line in round 1.