Jared Crozier: Making His Mark - Stone Leads Senators To Improbable Comeback Against Pens

That was in my top 5 games that I've ever been to. The top ones were beating Anaheim in the SCF, beating MTL in OT in the playoffs and beating the Rangers in OT in the playoffs. Then last night!

Unreal...

This stretch that Mark Stone has played since the new year has pretty much convinced me he is the real deal. He just has brilliant hockey IQ. Always at the right place at the right time. It's scary how good he is at that at 22. I always thought he was going to be a good top six forward, but now I'm starting to think he is going to be a star. Big goals and key times is something I've always preached that star players need to have. He's been scoring them or involved in them for awhile now.

Great 3rd period by the team last night. I still don't know why they look disinterested at some points in games then look like Stanley Cup contenders at other points. They definitely let the nerves get the better of them early on.

It's hard to get in the playoffs, but you never know what can happen. Last night was a great example.

i'm not sure this has been mentioned in all the calder talk......but what do people think hte chances of stone getting nominated for the selke are?

60+ pts
leads NHL in takeaways
kills penalties
+18 (as overrated of a stat as exists, but still valued in the selke race)

his numbers are comparable, or better than, the usual selke suspects (kopitar, toews, bergeron, datsyuk).

i think toews wins it, but i think stone should get looked at.

thoughts?

This stretch that Mark Stone has played since the new year has pretty much convinced me he is the real deal. He just has brilliant hockey IQ. Always at the right place at the right time. It's scary how good he is at that at 22. I always thought he was going to be a good top six forward, but now I'm starting to think he is going to be a star. Big goals and key times is something I've always preached that star players need to have. He's been scoring them or involved in them for awhile now.

Great 3rd period by the team last night. I still don't know why they look disinterested at some points in games then look like Stanley Cup contenders at other points. They definitely let the nerves get the better of them early on.

It's hard to get in the playoffs, but you never know what can happen. Last night was a great example.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

The team only plays well with their backs against the wall, that fear motivates the team to play to win, otherwise they are just playing hockey. Last night they had to get that fear into them before they started to play to win.

also this team is at its best when EK is free to get them goals - when he is cut loose to get the team back into the game that's when the Sens are at their best, when they are playing contain hockey or protecting a lead they just look awkward, they aren't comfortable unless they have a knife to their throat.

i'm not sure this has been mentioned in all the calder talk......but what do people think hte chances of stone getting nominated for the selke are?

60+ pts
leads NHL in takeaways
kills penalties
+18 (as overrated of a stat as exists, but still valued in the selke race)

his numbers are comparable, or better than, the usual selke suspects (kopitar, toews, bergeron, datsyuk).

i think toews wins it, but i think stone should get looked at.

thoughts?
- sensarmy_11

have any Corsi figures on Stone? It might not come this year but he could be a candidate for the future.

This stretch that Mark Stone has played since the new year has pretty much convinced me he is the real deal. He just has brilliant hockey IQ. Always at the right place at the right time. It's scary how good he is at that at 22. I always thought he was going to be a good top six forward, but now I'm starting to think he is going to be a star. Big goals and key times is something I've always preached that star players need to have. He's been scoring them or involved in them for awhile now.

Great 3rd period by the team last night. I still don't know why they look disinterested at some points in games then look like Stanley Cup contenders at other points. They definitely let the nerves get the better of them early on.

It's hard to get in the playoffs, but you never know what can happen. Last night was a great example.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I agree. Stone is a really smart player. Also, Turris has exploded, his 200' game over the past five weeks has been as good as anyone in the NHL. Having Stone on his wing has allowed him to bring his game to an even higher level.

I agree. Stone is a really smart player. Also, Turris has exploded, his 200' game over the past five weeks has been as good as anyone in the NHL. Having Stone on his wing has allowed him to bring his game to an even higher level.
- spatso

Stone is the new Alfie

This run has shown that Ottawa now has some players who have winning in their blood - Karlsson (of course), Stone, Pageau, Boro, Lazar. The book is still out on Hammond, Zibby, Ceci and Hoffman as all out guys who play to win, but we have a core of guys that winning is everything now and that's the most important thing for the franchise.

Of course, a regulation win and not falling behind 3-0 in the first period might have been better, but nowhere near as breathtakingly dramatic.

no "might" about it. that point likely put Pittsburgh out of reach for Ottawa (assuming the Pens can beat Buffalo in the finale). great win for the team but giving the Pens a point could prove costly.

- Not_Yan

Niiiiice!!!

I should have known this could happen when I left the house... 3 nil after one, no life, no hope... AND BOOM

We win

Anybody else think Karlsson is injured?

The last four games he has not looked right. He is not jumping up into the rush like he usually does and he is getting beaten in races which never happens.

His skating is not right. To me it looks like a groin problem.

no "might" about it. that point likely put Pittsburgh out of reach for Ottawa (assuming the Pens can beat Buffalo in the finale). great win for the team but giving the Pens a point could prove costly.
- DoubleDown

The only way it could be costly is if one team gets/drops a point in OT.

Ottawa goes 2-0, Pitt beats Buffalo and loses their other game, we are in. Exactly as it would have been with a win in regulation.

Go Sens Go!!!

Hope you make it. It will be difficult but i surely hope Boston will fall and you guys will take 8th spot and beat the Rags in first round.

The only way it could be costly is if one team gets/drops a point in OT.

Ottawa goes 2-0, Pitt beats Buffalo and loses their other game, we are in. Exactly as it would have been with a win in regulation.
- Mr_Clean

yeah but im having a hard time seeing Ott win at NYR. although NY has the Pres wrapped up so maybe their foot will be off the gas. but Pitt also has NYI at home which is winnable. TBH i see the Sens only hope as Boston. the Bruins have a vicious schedule to close out and if they don't pick up at least a point tonight then things get really interesting.

The only way it could be costly is if one team gets/drops a point in OT.

Ottawa goes 2-0, Pitt beats Buffalo and loses their other game, we are in. Exactly as it would have been with a win in regulation.
- Mr_Clean

there are a million ways ottawa could get in, just like there are a million ways we can still miss.

detroit, boston, and pittsburgh can still be passed. ottawa just has to win their last 2 games, and hopefully the rest can work itself out. jesus, we could still end up 3rd in the division.

Anybody else think Karlsson is injured?

The last four games he has not looked right. He is not jumping up into the rush like he usually does and he is getting beaten in races which never happens.

His skating is not right. To me it looks like a groin problem.
- maaddmike

Last night he lead the rush to get the OT winner, not only that he managed to hop off the bench and stop what would have been a crosby breakaway.

Perhaps you're seeing something I'm not, perhaps your imagination is getting the best of you.

yeah but im having a hard time seeing Ott win at NYR. although NY has the Pres wrapped up so maybe their foot will be off the gas. but Pitt also has NYI at home which is winnable. TBH i see the Sens only hope as Boston. the Bruins have a vicious schedule to close out and if they don't pick up at least a point tonight then things get really interesting.
- DoubleDown

ottawa is playing two teams that have nothing to play for, and who they've historically played well against. that being said, i could see the rangers playing hard against ottawa....basically cuz they don't want to play them in the 1st rd.

the pens are playing two teams who hate them, and would probably love nothing more than to help knock them out of the playoffs.

i still like our chances.

yeah but im having a hard time seeing Ott win at NYR. although NY has the Pres wrapped up so maybe their foot will be off the gas. but Pitt also has NYI at home which is winnable. TBH i see the Sens only hope as Boston. the Bruins have a vicious schedule to close out and if they don't pick up at least a point tonight then things get really interesting.
- DoubleDown

Well, it doesn't really make a difference, then...

If Ottawa loses in regulation in New York and Pittsburgh wins in Buffalo, it wouldn't have mattered that Ottawa won in regulation or OT yesterday, because Pittsburgh holds the tiebreaker

Stone is the new Alfie

This run has shown that Ottawa now has some players who have winning in their blood - Karlsson (of course), Stone, Pageau, Boro, Lazar. The book is still out on Hammond, Zibby, Ceci and Hoffman as all out guys who play to win, but we have a core of guys that winning is everything now and that's the most important thing for the franchise.
- tuna99

If Hammond is the real deal, or Anderson can return to form, Ottawa looks like they can be really good for the foreseeable future. A lot of youngsters are responsible for this great run they have been on.

there are a million ways ottawa could get in, just like there are a million ways we can still miss.

detroit, boston, and pittsburgh can still be passed. ottawa just has to win their last 2 games, and hopefully the rest can work itself out. jesus, we could still end up 3rd in the division.
- sensarmy_11

Yup... Honestly, if we win can both our remaining games, I think we're in. Otherwise, I think we miss. But there are a weirdly large number of spots we could finish in, even if we lost a game in OT lol

Stone is the new Alfie

This run has shown that Ottawa now has some players who have winning in their blood - Karlsson (of course), Stone, Pageau, Boro, Lazar. The book is still out on Hammond, Zibby, Ceci and Hoffman as all out guys who play to win, but we have a core of guys that winning is everything now and that's the most important thing for the franchise.
- tuna99

I think Cecil has shown he's the real deal. He's been a monster the last couple of games and he's still only 21... Very young for a defenseman. He's going to be a helluva hockey player in the next couple of years.

Yup... Honestly, if we win can both our remaining games, I think we're in. Otherwise, I think we miss. But there are a weirdly large number of spots we could finish in, even if we lost a game in OT lol
- Mr_Clean

Agreed. I have a hard time believing a team with 99 pts (17 games over .500) will miss the playoffs.

If so, it's time to rethink the conferences.

Anybody else think Karlsson is injured?

The last four games he has not looked right. He is not jumping up into the rush like he usually does and he is getting beaten in races which never happens.

His skating is not right. To me it looks like a groin problem.
- maaddmike

Agree. Gingerly pivoting.