Michael Stuart: Smith's Zaitsev Prophecy Backfires Immediately as Senators Fall to Leafs

Tampa's last 10 games are all victories so I expect they will overtake Boston.

Boston and Toronto in the first round would seem like a Ground Hog Day sequel with another soul gouging outcome.

Excellent game by Anderson. He has the Leafs' number.

Game was definitely closer than score.

That was perfect. Outplayed the leafs for large portions of that game and still came away with zero points.

Anderson took another step towards controlling his own destiny at the trade deadline. There are a number of young playoff-bound teams that would benefit from the calming, confidence instilling influence he put on display yet again last night.
He will have choices to be sure.

Mike it s seem Duclair have an assist last night. Dj think the puck hit Duclair on the goal. No matter Duclair play a good game and deserve a thumbs up

That was perfect. Outplayed the leafs for large portions of that game and still came away with zero points.
- sensarmy_11

Mike it s seem Duclair have an assist last night. Dj think the puck hit Duclair on the goal. No matter Duclair play a good game and deserve a thumbs up
- Crosside

Yeah, I thought it looked like he made contact too. And Duclair looked fine enough last night. The thumbs down is just for the streak itself, which is becoming crazy at this point.

No world class goaltending no win. Pretty well it. Switch goalies & Toronto kills them.
Smith has no structure, no systems, no game plan. It's just a bunch of skating fools chasing the puck & banging people. If prospects don't play that way they're gone & the vets ride the pine. Great environment for creative & disciplined players. Midget coach Midget hockey.

Thumbs Up - Michael Stuart

Anytime someone can make a star wars quote in a hockey blog,deserves thumbs up.

This year I hope they stay on same path , but next year I hope they get away from that dump and chase game drives me nuts, like skate the puck over the line and make plays. They need to start holding Chabot accountable for all his sloppy plays don’t care who he is staple him for 10 mins on the bench to start 🤦‍♂️

Thumbs Up - Michael Stuart

Anytime someone can make a star wars quote in a hockey blog,deserves thumbs up.
- spazzbot

Thumbs down to Hogberg?? Wow, harsh. I thought he was outstanding! There seemed to be confusion in the building when he was pulled

If it weren’t for him standing in his head for large portions of the game, it would have been a blowout

This year I hope they stay on same path , but next year I hope they get away from that dump and chase game drives me nuts, like skate the puck over the line and make plays. They need to start holding Chabot accountable for all his sloppy plays don’t care who he is staple him for 10 mins on the bench to start 🤦‍♂️
- Rpm1971

If Smith can't break players down so they play like C. Brown he gets rid of them. Look at what he's done to Tachuck & now Batherson they're looking more & more like 3rd line grinders but they're solid with Smith. I don't see things changing next year Smith is in over his head.

Frustrating one last night, other then a really bad 2nd thought we were the better team.

that missed call on marner was brutal in third... the hnic announcers drive me crazy. Their bias calling would make neal and cole smile.

dont know why it wasnt andy starting this one? hes been playing the leafs extremely tough for years now.

sidenote god its embarrassing seeing that many blue jerseys in the crowd, I get it though.

I've been to probably 10 sens / leafs games in ottawa and 5 sens / leafs now living in Toronto. It's a much more enjoyable experience wearing a Sens Jersey in Toronto then at "home"

One caveat is I'm sitting in nosebleeds in ottawa and in first 10 rows in Toronto due to working for a high ranking executive in mlse. so different crowds for sure.

but god leafs fans in ottawa are horrifically obnoxious. it makes it really unpleasant . I've had great experiences in Toronto for all Sens/leafs games.

Thumbs down to Hogberg?? Wow, harsh. I thought he was outstanding! There seemed to be confusion in the building when he was pulled

If it weren’t for him standing in his head for large portions of the game, it would have been a blowout
- AxlRose91

That first goal is one he has to have, especially with the team playing as well as it was in the first. My $0.02, anyways.

Leafs are not a good team. The Sens looked good last night. But, I think that has more to do with their playing against a very soft Leaf team.

Leafs are not a good team. The Sens looked good last night. But, I think that has more to do with their playing against a very soft Leaf team.
- spatso

Another strong trade return for a forward... The Pageau market continues to look like it should be healthy.

starting to feel bad for Duclair.....i think he's getting a quality scoring chance every shift, just can't buy one right now

Another strong trade return for a forward... The Pageau market continues to look like it should be healthy.
- Michael_Stuart

that's assuming Dorion is not a brain dead moron and re-signs Pageau.....which my money is on he will re-sign him and not trade him.

starting to feel bad for Duclair.....i think he's getting a quality scoring chance every shift, just can't buy one right now
- sensarmy_11

No kidding. I don't know how that breakaway chance stayed out.

Good game. Lots off pace and energy. Sens looked like they were having fun. Tkachuk is a monster. How can you not cheer for Duclair?

Beginning to think that Pageau will not be traded and the trade deadline show will be the opportunity to announce his new 4 year deal.

Good game. Lots off pace and energy. Sens looked like they were having fun. Tkachuk is a monster. How can you not cheer for Duclair?

Beginning to think that Pageau will not be traded and the trade deadline show will be the opportunity to announce his new 4 year deal.
- spatso

that would be a huge mistake......not trading Pageau will end up being nothing but 100% failure on Dorion's part to take advantage of an asset.

par for the coruse it seems though, he often trades guys he should keep and keeps guys he should trade.

in the past there was always Melnyk to blame.......owner wasn't willing to spend money...........but holding on to Pageau, when you could get a great return for him during a career year, will be ALL ON DORION

Good game. Lots off pace and energy. Sens looked like they were having fun. Tkachuk is a monster. How can you not cheer for Duclair?

Beginning to think that Pageau will not be traded and the trade deadline show will be the opportunity to announce his new 4 year deal.
- spatso

One of Tierny or Pageau needs to be traded.

One of Tierny or Pageau needs to be traded.
- david22

personally, I'd much rather trade pageau and keep Tierney (only if he signs a short term deal)

that being said, why not trade both.

next year your centers can be Brown, Norris, White, and maybe sign a FA or 2, or insert a high draft pick from this year if one is a center