Sens Writer: Senators Defeat Flames, End 5-Game Losing Streak

Thanks for the blog.

The most important thing is that they played well enough to win. It was a stronger effort offensively and there were fewer mistakes defensively. Now it's time for them to get some success on the road out west.

Thanks for the blog.

I was lucky enough to get some complementary tickets to the game last night. It was nice to see a win and the team capitalized on scoring chances. I liked Gaudette’s game with the top players. I think there might be something there. I’d like to see them play 5 or so games to develop some more chemistry.

The powerplay could use some more movement. The team still seemed to be a bit stationary hoping for a perfect play. Was too bad they didn’t score on the 5 on 3.

I, like a lot of fans, have been hard on this team and especially Brady. I felt Brady stepped up his game last night to answer the call and he (and the team) should have been rewarded for that more than he was. I know this is not a new occurrence, but it’s incredibly frustrating to hear fans moan and groan about wanting wins to just see fans leave the game midway through the 3rd when the team is in a position to win. If fans want this team to play for a full 60 minutes, shouldn’t the fans watch the full 60 minutes? Brady looked a little dejected during his 1st star interview where he spoke in front of 9 fans that stayed 5 extra minutes to see the stars of the game. If fans are going to dish out the criticism during hard times, I think it’s fair to praise the players and teams for quality efforts.

I get that fans are tired of the same old thing year in and year out, but I think it’s important to support the team when things go well to show the players what they get when they win. It will take more than one win to get fans back into belief that this team can contend for the playoffs, but they have to start somewhere and so should fans.

That's not a Brady thing. Or even a this year thing.

I've left 1-1 ties in the third with 5 minutes to go.....to beat the traffic. And I live in Kanata.

There are ways to fix this. Go to Kansas City. Go to a big NFL city. Where the building is (properly) away from the downtown core. And watch how they get fans out of the building and parking lot FAST. Every road. In every direction becomes an exit. Everyone is in on it. Everyone knows it and expects it. From 9:30 to 11 everything away from the stadium is one way. Police at major intersections directing.

wonder what everyone thinks of the Norris on the trade block rumors

wonder what everyone thinks of the Norris on the trade block rumors
- Mithos

His injury history should make him largely untrdable. Have to wonder what team would take that risk unlesss a similar player is coming back.

I also wonder how this would effect their scoring depth since it's already not great at the moment, even with some guys underperformed.

Good win for the Sens. You guys needed that one. Have a feeling they put together a good stretch of like a 4 game point/win streak.

That's not a Brady thing. Or even a this year thing.

I've left 1-1 ties in the third with 5 minutes to go.....to beat the traffic. And I live in Kanata.

There are ways to fix this. Go to Kansas City. Go to a big NFL city. Where the building is (properly) away from the downtown core. And watch how they get fans out of the building and parking lot FAST. Every road. In every direction becomes an exit. Everyone is in on it. Everyone knows it and expects it. From 9:30 to 11 everything away from the stadium is one way. Police at major intersections directing.
- Octavarium

I know it’s always been a thing. It’s a terribly designed roadway system. However, it is what it is when you go.

I can understand leaving early when the team is losing. I just don’t fully understand leaving when the team is winning to beat traffic.

I just feel it’s super weird when the team wins and there are only a handful of fans to greet the 3 stars and hear the 1st star interview. Feels like no one really cares. Hard to not imagine how it makes the players feel. This team could win the Stanely Cup and there would be fans b-lining for the exits before the final horn. However, we don’t need to worry about that scenario anytime soon.

Good blog.

I can understand leaving early when the team is losing. I just don’t fully understand leaving when the team is winning to beat traffic.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Yeah, same here. Been going to 1-3 games a year ever since we got our NHL team. I never once left early, win or lose. I paid for this ticket, I wanna see this through to the end. The old system's parking lot was bad but some years ago they put in that exit ramp just for buses. Now I take the bus in from either St-Laurent or Algonquin College. Buses leave super-quick from the rink, and the overall cost is cheaper.

I know it’s always been a thing. It’s a terribly designed roadway system. However, it is what it is when you go.

I can understand leaving early when the team is losing. I just don’t fully understand leaving when the team is winning to beat traffic.

I just feel it’s super weird when the team wins and there are only a handful of fans to greet the 3 stars and hear the 1st star interview. Feels like no one really cares. Hard to not imagine how it makes the players feel. This team could win the Stanely Cup and there would be fans b-lining for the exits before the final horn. However, we don’t need to worry about that scenario anytime soon.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I want to say things were better when they were making the playoffs. Even two years back when they had a push that had a decent chance to make it I think we saw more engagement.

I've talked a bit about this team being fragile mentally, but that also extends to us fans.

I want to say things were better when they were making the playoffs. Even two years back when they had a push that had a decent chance to make it I think we saw more engagement.

I've talked a bit about this team being fragile mentally, but that also extends to us fans.
- david22

The bold is what I am trying to get at.

There is a new Netflix documentary called The Turnaround and it is a short documentary about a Philadelphia Phillies fan who inspired the team's fans to cheer for Trea Turner instead of booing him while he was going through a terrible slump. After the cheers, Turner went on to have a solid season and the team performed admirably in the playoffs.

I don’t know. I think there is an element that the fans can carry some responsibility to right the ship. Of course, the onus is on the players but if fans can help in some way to give some motivation, it could help.

Changes to the core might still come but if we want things to change from the past 6-7 years, maybe it’s time for fans (including myself) to adjust their mentality from those 6-7 years as well.

Adam Gaudette has 10 goals now - that's 1 behind mcdavid - 5 back of 3rd in the NHL where Ovechkin sits. *Knock on wood, he has most goals per 60 mins in the entire league!

At least Sens won a game they had no business winning, lol. Getting destroyed by San Jose is worrisome. This was Hamonic's worst game. His defense on the second goal was just... Mind boggling. Keep you stick on the ice.

I still blame the coach for Hamonic being in the line up at all.
In like....week two or three you had Klevin and JBD developing trust, chemistry and playing pretty well together. BAM....nope....the veteran gets in. JBD's game goes to the press box. Klevin starts circling the toilet bowl. Sanderson for some reason is then playing lousy. People start to get shuffled around. Now Zub's hurt. You're forced to try and right the Klevin ship with Jensen....and for people who say "well hindsight is 20-20"....NO...we all screamed it at the top of our lungs when he put JBD out. The best meme I saw was the Scooby-Do one where they pull the mask off the villain Travis Green and it's.........."oh no...Mr. DJ Smith!!"

Stop coaching with old school principles. Stop throwing your fourth line out immediately after a goal for or against. It's just dumb. When a pair of players work well together - leave them alone even if one of them isn't some dinosaur you feel obligated to get back in the line up.

Thanks Gaud we won.

Very solid outing for Ullmark. Tkachuk, Stutzle and Gaudette were the bright spots. Lots of regression on overall team defensive play. Perhaps it's just a bit of a stinker following the trip out west.

Hamonic actually had 2nd most minutes... Wonder why Sens couldn't get it out of their own end........

Its been a while since seeing Ottawa win a game on the basis of their goaltending. Ullmark rolled up a really good game. 39 shots on goal. Now that is the goaltending performance Ottawa needed.
4 shots in the 1rst period .... 2 goals
6 shots in the 2nd period .... 1 goal
1 shot in the 3rd period ..... 1 goal

Safe to say that Blackwood of San Jose did not have a stellar game, but I would also say that the 4 goals by Ottawa were all very good goals. WTF .... who is this Gaudette guy ? LOL. Is this a break out year ... finally ... for him. Always nice to see these kind of players seemingly break through.

On to LA. Going to need a better effort defensively here. Zub being out may be a big issue as it pushes Hamonic up the defensive line-up. Ottawa is going to need to get another d-man. Would you sit Hamonic down and bring in Sebrango vs LA? Regardless, with Zub out (and he was not playing that well to begin with), will we see Staois make a trade?

Gaudette is Cheechoo 2.0
Here comes a 50 goal season.

Only got to watch the extended highlights. It’s funny how the hockey god’s work. Sens didn’t deserve this game but have lost a couple they deserved to win a month ago.

I wasn’t very impressed with Zub’s game this year, so the injury loss doesn’t seem that significant to me. That being said, the blueline does need some insulation and it will be interesting with the long-term IR status if a more significant move is made.

I think it’s time to give Ullmark the crease full-time and split starts on back-to-backs. Lets get him into a groove.

Gaudette is Cheechoo 2.0
Here comes a 50 goal season.
- Octavarium

I think it is time to try and find a "hockey" trade to bring in another defenceman (probably a righty). I have not been too impressed with Zub's play this year, and he now seems to be carrying that injury mantra around.
Sanderson and ???
Chabot and JBD
Klevin and Jensen ..... at least until Jensen can stabilize Klevin again and then move him back with Chabot.
Time for Hamonic to sit it out.

But who do we trade with ? What do we give up? If it is a good/decent d-man we may have to part with a piece like Greig.
The Rangers are looking for a dance partner but I don't think they are a good pairing. The Rangers will need to dump salary next year ..... and Ottawa can't afford (cap wise) to take on salary without giving up salary.
Ottawa can't give up goal scoring to get a d-man either.
We also probably need another scoring/fast/hard hitting /tough winger for the bottom 6. But again ... what do we give up. Probably a lower draft pick can get this done.