Jared Crozier: Senators Off On The Right Foot With Win Over The Sabres

Positives, first line looks great.

Other lines had some chances, Pageau needs to shoot hte puck.

Only one game, but the second linen could look better.

Lazar scoring in his first game is good, even if its an empty net lets hope it gives him some confidence.

Just can't go to sleep like the did last night, although alot of credit to sabres deserved as they really woke up after the Eichle goal.

Could be worse, Colorado blew a 4-1 in about five minutes and lost in regulation.

Positives, first line looks great.

Other lines had some chances, Pageau needs to shoot hte puck.

Only one game, but the second linen could look better.

Lazar scoring in his first game is good, even if its an empty net lets hope it gives him some confidence.

Just can't go to sleep like the did last night, although alot of credit to sabres deserved as they really woke up after the Eichle goal.

Could be worse, Colorado blew a 4-1 in about five minutes and lost in regulation.
- david22

Good game. Sens took the life out of the building. That is exactly what they needed to do. Did it make for some bad hockey at times, absolutely, but they put an energized building to sleep.

Also, the challenge on an offside or not is the worst thing for hockey.

Also also, eff the sens, 2x!!!

Cowen was good.

Turris, stone, Hoffman

CAR: Zibby, Chiasson, Michalek, 1st rounder 2016, 2nd rounder 2017
OTT: E. Staal, J. Staal

Hoff - Turris - Ryan
E. Staal - J. Staal - Stone
Mac - JGP - Lazar
Prince - Smith - Neil

Zero powerplays. Usually I would be questioning a pile of calls that were let go by the referees. But I would struggle to really think of anything that should have obviously been called last night. Seems unusual to me.

Zero powerplays. Usually I would be questioning a pile of calls that were let go by the referees. But I would struggle to really think of anything that should have obviously been called last night. Seems unusual to me.
- maaddmike

I agree there were no glaring omissions. I thought the call on ryan was really soft though.

I agree there were no glaring omissions. I thought the call on ryan was really soft though.
- david22

It did seem like it may have been a make up call for the called back goal ( which is kinda silly ), but since nothing came of it, I'm not making any stink about it. I do find it a little tough to swallow that the Sabres went an entire game without committing a single infraction, but it wasn't a real chippy game.

Apparently Andre Tourigny went bolting down the bench when the goal was scored to request a challenge. I wish I could find video of that.

Anderson is the worst NHL starting goalie I have ever seen with play down low and behind his net. I have the over/under at 15.5 goals for how many he lets in from beside the net or via the wrap around... I bet he averaged .25 Goals per game let in that way, last year.

Cowen looked good for now.
1st line looks good. Lets hope Cameron gives it a solid look and chance.
Ryan didn't stand out. I'd have McArthur on his wing with MZ on centre... Lazar still needs to be a 3L guy at this point.
Karlsson looked good, not great.
Pageau was very good too.

Loving that Hoffman, Turris, Stone line. although At some point I think putting Ryan and Mack back with Turris would be a good option. With Hoffman and Stone with Zib. i think those line combos give more skill throughout the top two lines.

I though Cowen actually played well last night. Not great, still make mistakes and seemed slow but played well... but my goodness he needs a hair cut lol.

Ryan I didn't mind his play but I thought he should have been more aggressive. Karlsson didn't really seem like himself.

But over all I was fairly happy with the team play. Especially how well we shut their building up quick.

I feel every post game blog this year will mention Cowens play. But he did play well last night. Good start for sure.

I thought the Turris/Stone/Hoffman line looked good, but can still improve. A few times they looked a little confused cycling, but obviously (with 2 goals) for the most part they were solid. By far the best line for the Sens.

I was less than enthused by the rest of the teams effort. Everyone seemed to be a step behind and we were lucky it didn't bit us worse in the 3rd. I'll be looking for a better overall effort against the Leafs.

Overall a garbage game, but a win is a win.

CAR: Zibby, Chiasson, Michalek, 1st rounder 2016, 2nd rounder 2017
OTT: E. Staal, J. Staal

Hoff - Turris - Ryan
E. Staal - J. Staal - Stone
Mac - JGP - Lazar
Prince - Smith - Neil

Get off the hooch, Tuna. The Staal bros are overrated, Eric is washed up and Jordan never was and never will be more than a third liner.

I wouldn't even move Zibby and Michalek for them, let alone two top 60 picks.

Loving that Hoffman, Turris, Stone line. although At some point I think putting Ryan and Mack back with Turris would be a good option. With Hoffman and Stone with Zib. i think those line combos give more skill throughout the top two lines.

I though Cowen actually played well last night. Not great, still make mistakes and seemed slow but played well... but my goodness he needs a hair cut lol.

Ryan I didn't mind his play but I thought he should have been more aggressive. Karlsson didn't really seem like himself.

But over all I was fairly happy with the team play. Especially how well we shut their building up quick.
- Maverick1818

I say the hell with Ryan and Mac - these guys are supposed to be leaders offensively on this team, if they can't manage it with a big center like Zibby winning 70% of his faceoffs, they're not getting it done and shouldn't be rewarded with ice time next to our best centerman.

Hoffman, Stone and Turris had some real creativity going last night, that line could have produced about 4 or 5 goals, and hardly allowed anything to happen in their own zone.

All the Hoffman doubters are going to be eating crow all year long IMO, Murray included.

I say the hell with Ryan and Mac - these guys are supposed to be leaders offensively on this team, if they can't manage it with a big center like Zibby winning 70% of his faceoffs, they're not getting it done and shouldn't be rewarded with ice time next to our best centerman.

Hoffman, Stone and Turris had some real creativity going last night, that line could have produced about 4 or 5 goals, and hardly allowed anything to happen in their own zone.

All the Hoffman doubters are going to be eating crow all year long IMO, Murray included.
- TommyDeVito

I agree about Hoffman and the haters.

The lines I say we do because it gives us more talent throughout the lines rather then just one. and the lines I mentioned have already proven chemistry

Jared Cowen

He's just not ready

Nice hair though

Jared Cowen

He's just not ready

Nice hair though
- david22

hahahaha he does seem just about as dumb as Justin T lol

Get off the hooch, Tuna. The Staal bros are overrated, Eric is washed up and Jordan never was and never will be more than a third liner.

I wouldn't even move Zibby and Michalek for them, let alone two top 60 picks.
- TommyDeVito

I was going to reply with the exact same post! Carolina would take Zibanejad for those two contracts in a heartbeat!

I was going to reply with the exact same post! Carolina would take Zibanejad for those two contracts in a heartbeat!
- Statsman2000

Agreed, Zib is one of those players that I think would work well on any team. As well, if he keeps on pace with his development he is going to be a very good player in the NHL for years.

I do think people hate on the staals though. but personally I think if we were looking to get a more experienced player like that I'd rather try to get Cammy or Roy or someone like that. Cheaper contracts, more work ethic and can really help the young players.

Good game. Sens took the life out of the building. That is exactly what they needed to do. Did it make for some bad hockey at times, absolutely, but they put an energized building to sleep.

Also, the challenge on an offside or not is the worst thing for hockey.

Also also, eff the sens, 2x!!!
- ImThatGuy

Well, well... no hard feelings bud! It's the first game of the season. You're team improved solidely over the summer, but its a work in progress before Sabres make it to a playoff run team. It will come surely with time. I don't think offsides challenges are weak. Often, players get an extra step on the defensive players by being mearly offside and that allows the offensive player to make a play down low or go behind the net (like kane). Otherwise, should the player be onside, as the rules of the game play, the defensive player would have been in a position to use his speed to catch the player down low and pinned him on the boards, checked the offensive player or poked checked him.

I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed watching the game after the Sabres late energy surge.

Agreed, Zib is one of those players that I think would work well on any team. As well, if he keeps on pace with his development he is going to be a very good player in the NHL for years.

I do think people hate on the staals though. but personally I think if we were looking to get a more experienced player like that I'd rather try to get Cammy or Roy or someone like that. Cheaper contracts, more work ethic and can really help the young players.
- Maverick1818

None of those players are worth it, you don't trade one of your best offensive young weapons for a player past his prime, unless you are already in a position to make a push to be a stanley cup contender, which the Sens are not (at this point in time).

I say the hell with Ryan and Mac - these guys are supposed to be leaders offensively on this team, if they can't manage it with a big center like Zibby winning 70% of his faceoffs, they're not getting it done and shouldn't be rewarded with ice time next to our best centerman.

Hoffman, Stone and Turris had some real creativity going last night, that line could have produced about 4 or 5 goals, and hardly allowed anything to happen in their own zone.

All the Hoffman doubters are going to be eating crow all year long IMO, Murray included.
- TommyDeVito

Its the first game of the season, relax and enjoy the game. It's an 82 game season, let Mac and Ryan build confidence

None of those players are worth it, you don't trade one of your best offensive young weapons for a player past his prime, unless you are already in a position to make a push to be a stanley cup contender, which the Sens are not (at this point in time).
- PtotheY

I wasn't saying too trade for them. I was saying I would rather them over the Staals