Jared Crozier: Game Day: Sens @ Blue Jackets; Hammond Ready To Return

Go Jays!

The Sens need to capitalize tonight on a team that is stumbling out the gate. Despite a healthy Murray, the jackets weakness is defense, and a strong attack will be needed to win. They gotta avoid penalties and getting hemmed in their own end.

Hope Lazar isn't out long. I was liking his play with Pageau.

The Sens beat two expected low ranking teams, and lost to one that's so far unbeaten and expected to be much better.

Curious to see how they do tonight. Both teams' weakness would be defense I'd say.

As above said, tonight is an opportunity to try and find some consistency.

The Sens beat two expected low ranking teams, and lost to one that's so far unbeaten and expected to be much better.

Curious to see how they do tonight. Both teams' weakness would be defense I'd say.

As above said, tonight is an opportunity to try and find some consistency.
- david22

Interesting reading that in here...
prior to the season everyone was saying that the Sens would wipe the floor with the Habs because "they had no scoring and would rely only on how well Price could carry them"
Then... in the first game between the two, the Habs limited their shots dramatically, brought secondary scoring out and started Condon between the pipes. Funny.

Ottawa is getting severely outshot and it brings back bad memories from last year.

SF: 25
SA: 34

we are getting outshot by 9 per game, completely unacceptable considering our level of competition. Two non-playoff teams and the Habs who have a weak offense.

Two of those games we had 21 and 22 shots - that is horrible.

Interesting reading that in here...
prior to the season everyone was saying that the Sens would wipe the floor with the Habs because "they had no scoring and would rely only on how well Price could carry them"
Then... in the first game between the two, the Habs limited their shots dramatically, brought secondary scoring out and started Condon between the pipes. Funny.
- mlindsay

I think you're exaggerating here just a tad.

How many fans really posted the Sens would be better? Most Sens fans put montreal in second in the division.

Montreal played better, deserved the win, no one can deny, but both goalies started backups for their first games, just for what it's worth.

Ottawa is getting severely outshot and it brings back bad memories from last year.

SF: 25
SA: 34

we are getting outshot by 9 per game, completely unacceptable considering our level of competition. Two non-playoff teams and the Habs who have a weak offense.

Two of those games we had 21 and 22 shots - that is horrible.
- tuna99

This has been a problem for a long time.

When is Prince going to get in?

Interesting reading that in here...
prior to the season everyone was saying that the Sens would wipe the floor with the Habs because "they had no scoring and would rely only on how well Price could carry them"
Then... in the first game between the two, the Habs limited their shots dramatically, brought secondary scoring out and started Condon between the pipes. Funny.
- mlindsay

You're both kinda wrong. I think that most people here saw them being in the same stratum of teams, meh-ish playoff teams with no special reason to think that they will succeed dramatically this year...

If I thought the Senators would wipe the floor with Habs in particular, it's because we've matched up well with them in past regular seasons.... In much the same way that I always expect Toronto to beat Ottawa when they play the Sens at home, I expect the Senators to win the season series with the Habs.

Interesting reading that in here...
prior to the season everyone was saying that the Sens would wipe the floor with the Habs because "they had no scoring and would rely only on how well Price could carry them"
Then... in the first game between the two, the Habs limited their shots dramatically, brought secondary scoring out and started Condon between the pipes. Funny.
- mlindsay

I think it's more of a general consensus for the whole league. Face it, the only way the Habs make any noise this year is if Price is again their MVP. You'd be hard pressed to find a sane Habs fan who won't admit that. Matched up against other elite teams (I'm not even including Ottawa) their offence is a step behind. Their defence has PK, but after that, there are question marks. The Sens were never going to "wipe the floor" with the Habs. A team never does that in the regular season.

I'm enjoying this Habs/Sens rivalry thats slowly been getting larger and larger.

Interesting reading that in here...
prior to the season everyone was saying that the Sens would wipe the floor with the Habs because "they had no scoring and would rely only on how well Price could carry them"
- mlindsay

Everyone? I don't think you mean 'everyone' I think you mean you heard or read someone say that. Most people, at least people who know anything about hockey, can see that the Habs can compete in ANY game where their players play to their ability. They have a legit 30 goal scorer, an elite goalie, and a talented creative young D man. Those are key pieces. I do think they lack scoring depth, but few teams don't have holes. I think the lack of depth keeps them from being cup favorites, despite how well they'll perform in the regular season, which will still be top 3 in the division.

I think it's more of a general consensus for the whole league. Face it, the only way the Habs make any noise this year is if Price is again their MVP. You'd be hard pressed to find a sane Habs fan who won't admit that. Matched up against other elite teams (I'm not even including Ottawa) their offence is a step behind. Their defence has PK, but after that, there are question marks. The Sens were never going to "wipe the floor" with the Habs. A team never does that in the regular season.

I'm enjoying this Habs/Sens rivalry thats slowly been getting larger and larger.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

How many teams won't fizzle out if their goalie doesn't play well.
Price had a career year last year, no doubt, but he also played well in the previous seasons. Remember when he carried the load for Team Canada?
The offence argument is interesting though. I agree that there is not a lot of top end scoring talent... but thus far scoring has not been their crux. Things can change over the next 78 games.... but for now the team seems fairly well put together (except for Gilbert... please someone take Gilbert!)

I can't recall who I remember seeing saying that the Sens were a far better team, but it is only a select number of posters in this forum. So my bet it is one of the people now backpeddling.

Everyone? I don't think you mean 'everyone' I think you mean you heard or read someone say that. Most people, at least people who know anything about hockey, can see that the Habs can compete in ANY game where their players play to their ability. They have a legit 30 goal scorer, an elite goalie, and a talented creative young D man. Those are key pieces. I do think they lack scoring depth, but few teams don't have holes. I think the lack of depth keeps them from being cup favorites, despite how well they'll perform in the regular season, which will still be top 3 in the division.
- MaxTLimit

You're right... not everyone...
in fact... might have been someone with 'Max' in their screen name...

I will point out that the Senators, as is usually the case when they play an original six opponent, were handed 9 minor penalties to four for the Habs. Hard to get a good read on their compete level when they were essentially short-handed for an entire period of the game.

Give Ottawa that many man-advantages and I'm sure both the shot count and the score would be dramatically more even.

But you know, Yay Habs...

I will point out that the Senators, as is usually the case when they play an original six opponent, were handed 9 minor penalties to four for the Habs. Hard to get a good read on their compete level when they were essentially short-handed for an entire period of the game.

Give Ottawa that many man-advantages and I'm sure both the shot count and the score would be dramatically more even.

But you know, Yay Habs...
- jaz258

That old chestnut , eh?

edit:
Ottawa last season received exactly 1 more penalty than the Habs. ONE.

I will point out that the Senators, as is usually the case when they play an original six opponent, were handed 9 minor penalties to four for the Habs. Hard to get a good read on their compete level when they were essentially short-handed for an entire period of the game.

Give Ottawa that many man-advantages and I'm sure both the shot count and the score would be dramatically more even.

But you know, Yay Habs...
- jaz258

Whenever I hear this, I feel obligated to post this.

I will point out that the Senators, as is usually the case when they play an original six opponent, were handed 9 minor penalties to four for the Habs. Hard to get a good read on their compete level when they were essentially short-handed for an entire period of the game.

Give Ottawa that many man-advantages and I'm sure both the shot count and the score would be dramatically more even.

But you know, Yay Habs...
- jaz258

Let's assume you are not totally full of poop...
Let's look at total penalties for Ottawa versus all the O6 teams:
Toronto: 345
Detroit: 344
Ottawa: 339
Montreal: 338
Boston: 315
Rangers: 295
Chicago: 263

I guess you're right... the League worked it so that the Blackhawks would win...

I will point out that the Senators, as is usually the case when they play an original six opponent, were handed 9 minor penalties to four for the Habs. Hard to get a good read on their compete level when they were essentially short-handed for an entire period of the game.

Give Ottawa that many man-advantages and I'm sure both the shot count and the score would be dramatically more even.

But you know, Yay Habs...
- jaz258

Also, unless im miscounting. It's 9-6.

http://www.nhl.com/gamece...en/boxscore?id=2015020031

Also, unless im miscounting. It's 9-6.

http://www.nhl.com/gamece...en/boxscore?id=2015020031
- david22

details

IMO for the most part, I have no problem with the penalties called because the sens played so horrible. They were a step behind, looked sluggish, had 0 compete level, and Montreal deserved to win. Montreal played a great game without Price, and I was extremely impressed with their up tempo play and there tenacious forecheck. If I'm a Montreal fan, I'm excited for what they can do this year with price looking like his all star self. If Montreal can pick up a top 6 forward at the deadline, I think they can do some damage this year.

IMO for the most part, I have no problem with the penalties called because the sens played so horrible. They were a step behind, looked sluggish, had 0 compete level, and Montreal deserved to win. Montreal played a great game without Price, and I was extremely impressed with their up tempo play and there tenacious forecheck. If I'm a Montreal fan, I'm excited for what they can do this year with price looking like his all star self. If Montreal can pick up a top 6 forward at the deadline, I think they can do some damage this year.
- karlssens

Agree... although it is still VERY early days... so the wheels certainly have lots of time to fall off.

Agree... although it is still VERY early days... so the wheels certainly have lots of time to fall off.
- mlindsay

Oh and they will, you better know it.

HOw many times has Anderson done that?

Ceci

You're right... not everyone...
in fact... might have been someone with 'Max' in their screen name...
- mlindsay

If you are referencing me, I'd say you are full of BS. I called the Habs 2nd in the division behind the Lightning. Since I called them to finish ahead, I wouldn't say that qualifies as the Sens 'wiping the floor' with the Habs.

Sens have some trouble getting back into position tonight. Not respecting the attack of the Jackets. Anderson needs to be a bit smarter about leaving his net, but too many rushes with numbers for the Jackets.