Zak MacMillan: OTT — Final Battle of Ontario?

How was that Matthews goal not a tripping penalty on Domi? You can't trip the goalie because you fell down on your own.

Sens 4 points behrind Leafs. Can we catch them?

If it happens, it would likely knock the Leafs into a wild card slot.

Highly unlikely the season final outcome will produce a result that would match Sens and Leafs in first round.

Sens 4 points behrind Leafs. Can we catch them?

If it happens, it would likely knock the Leafs into a wild card slot.

Highly unlikely the season final outcome will produce a result that would match Sens and Leafs in first round.
- spatso

only way to see leafs vs sens playoffs is if TBL falls to WC spot and that is not happening, i can see the leafs fall into a WC but not TBL or FLA.

only way to see leafs vs sens playoffs is if TBL falls to WC spot and that is not happening, i can see the leafs fall into a WC but not TBL or FLA.
- Mithos

But it won’t matter because the Sens won’t be in the playoffs because they’re so terrible, right?

How was that Matthews goal not a tripping penalty on Domi? You can't trip the goalie because you fell down on your own.
- PogBoi

Wasn't a tripping penalty in domi that should have been called.... Matthews behind the play upends the Sens player to get to the puck first. That's what they were complaining about.

Good win. Didn't fold again. Peaking at the right time.

But it won’t matter because the Sens won’t be in the playoffs because they’re so terrible, right?
- CooCooKaChoo

is it OTT that good or is it other teams that are perennial playoffs teams that crapped out (NYR, BOS) or teams that were playoff team last season/couple season that craped out (NYI).

using TOR a measuring point is stupid, OTT has TOR number, OTT swept the leafs this season and have won the last 7 of 10 vs the leafs.

this is 2017 all over again... all you see is OTT in WC1 and think that they are a good team and a playoff team without looking at the underlying reasons WHY they are in WC1.

Wasn't a tripping penalty in domi that should have been called.... Matthews behind the play upends the Sens player to get to the puck first. That's what they were complaining about.

Good win. Didn't fold again. Peaking at the right time.
- GrimmdaGoalie

yes, coupled with DET craping out and CBJ loosing 4 of their last 5 including losing their last 2 games by 4-0.

is it OTT that good or is it other teams that are perennial playoffs teams that crapped out (NYR, BOS) or teams that were playoff team last season/couple season that craped out (NYI).

using TOR a measuring point is stupid, OTT has TOR number, OTT swept the leafs this season and have won the last 7 of 10 vs the leafs.

this is 2017 all over again... all you see is OTT in WC1 and think that they are a good team and a playoff team without looking at the underlying reasons WHY they are in WC1.

- Mithos

Well, you put it in bold, so you must be right.

This is not 2017 all over again, nobody is saying that there’s an expectation that they go to the conference final. It isn’t Karlsson willing them through the playoffs. We’re not even at the playoffs yet.

Right now you’ve got different players stepping up in different games, that’s a sign of a good team. You can’t just win the same way everytime. They’ve got a positive goal differential; that’s a metric for a playoff team. They’re healthy; something you need to be a playoff team. There’s seven teams vying for two spots and during a crucial run, the Sens have (so far) won the important games, while those chasing have not; that’s a sign of a playoff team.

Are they getting puck luck? Yes. Have other teams regressed? Of course, Boston has been on the verge for years. NYR/NYI have struggled to find consistency. Columbus came out of nowhere though. Using Toronto as the measuring stick would be stupid, that’s true, but ignoring all the positives and yelling about 2017 is as well.

this is 2017 all over again... all you see is OTT in WC1 and think that they are a good team and a playoff team without looking at the underlying reasons WHY they are in WC1.

- Mithos

Every team goes through cycles of building, winning, aging, regressing. Some cycles are longer/shorter then others. But every team goes through it. Boston and NYR are 2 of the latest that are in regression. That just means that other teams like Ottawa, Montreal (?), Columbus, Washington can start to move forward. At some point even teams like Tampa (think about having few draft picks, and when Kucherov, Hedman, etc. the stars who are all in or approaching their 30's and start to decline ... those guys can't be replaced). Same with Boston (Chara, etc). So simply putting Ottawa's advancement down to these other teams misfortunes (it sounds like you think they will quickly rebound) is completely wrong. This is a good Senators team that is still learning to win and play. But you can see the confidence and hunger growing. Still lots to be done to tighten things up, but I do believe the coaching staff is doing a good job so far.
Do I think the Sens can do much in the playoffs .... maybe. But they are not a contender for the Cup yet. This year I believe that Florida, Tampa, and Toronto can be beat and no one is a lock to advance. So the Sens on a hot streak can beat anyone, over a 7 game series will be a difficult matter.
But I do like our lineup. For the first time in a long time, I believe we have 3 pretty balanced lines. And our defence is coming along. Goaltending is not an issue.

Are some of us (Mithos) at a point where we are complaining about this team replicating the 2017 season? Perhaps the 2nd or 3rd most productive playoff in Senator’s history? Give me a break and give me some playoff hockey back.

This team should be given some credit. Scoring is coming from up and down the roster, the team seems to be buying into a system that works, and we are finally getting some timely goaltending.

Have they played perfect games? No. Have they found ways to win games during imperfect games? Yes. That is what good teams do. There is still a lot of work to be done to get into the playoffs, but this latest streak as made the job more realistic that it looked even a week ago.

This is just simple franchise progression. Sens likely won’t win a cup this year, but they are taking good strides to be a contender. It doesn’t happen overnight. Other seemingly ‘strong’ teams will falter as that is just what the cap produces nowadays for the most part. Teams go through good years and rebuilding years. A team like Boston is probably 2 years overdue of having a ‘down’ year.

There is a new Sens energy in the city and arena now. Enjoy it. We have all been Mithos since 2017.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/tr...playoff-picture-1.2272284

Great analysis by Travis Yost. Sens are a threat to give anyone a good fight in the playoffs. It is about team D, the defensive corps and goaltending and goaltending and goaltending.

Are some of us (Mithos) at a point where we are complaining about this team replicating the 2017 season? Perhaps the 2nd or 3rd most productive playoff in Senator’s history? Give me a break and give me some playoff hockey back.

This team should be given some credit. Scoring is coming from up and down the roster, the team seems to be buying into a system that works, and we are finally getting some timely goaltending.

Have they played perfect games? No. Have they found ways to win games during imperfect games? Yes. That is what good teams do. There is still a lot of work to be done to get into the playoffs, but this latest streak as made the job more realistic that it looked even a week ago.

This is just simple franchise progression. Sens likely won’t win a cup this year, but they are taking good strides to be a contender. It doesn’t happen overnight. Other seemingly ‘strong’ teams will falter as that is just what the cap produces nowadays for the most part. Teams go through good years and rebuilding years. A team like Boston is probably 2 years overdue of having a ‘down’ year.

There is a new Sens energy in the city and arena now. Enjoy it. We have all been Mithos since 2017.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

did i enjoy 2017, hell ya, if sens make it will i enjoy it, hell ya, but do i expect the sens to be a playoff team next season, hell no, too much has gone wrong with some playoff perennial teams this season that should not happen next season with maybe the exception of BOS, depending on what they do going forward they maybe out looking in again next season, now does that give OTT a shot, yes, but lets not forget MTL is improving and if Demidov enter the picture expect them to fight for a playoffs spot too. who knows what DET will be, they were in the mix for a while until their big loosing streak


many have said TOR is built to make the playoffs and OTT was built for the playoffs (they just need to make them), TOR side of this is clear with every year minus 1 being a 1st round exit.

Lassi Thomson is currently leading his team in goals and points. Let's bring him back! Wooo!

What does Giroux's next contract look like?

I'll start:

1 yr - $5million
2 yr - $4.5 AAV

did i enjoy 2017, hell ya, if sens make it will i enjoy it, hell ya, but do i expect the sens to be a playoff team next season, hell no, too much has gone wrong with some playoff perennial teams this season that should not happen next season with maybe the exception of BOS, depending on what they do going forward they maybe out looking in again next season, now does that give OTT a shot, yes, but lets not forget MTL is improving and if Demidov enter the picture expect them to fight for a playoffs spot too. who knows what DET will be, they were in the mix for a while until their big loosing streak


many have said TOR is built to make the playoffs and OTT was built for the playoffs (they just need to make them), TOR side of this is clear with every year minus 1 being a 1st round exit.
- Mithos

I am not sure about your point. Boston, we have already addressed they are entering a retooling time, likely will be a middling team next year. Pittsburgh is going down the same road Boston is on. The Rangers are technically in a playoff position (had way too much early season drama).

The rest of the non-playoff teams haven’t been competitive in years and yes, they are all likely to (and should) improve. However, you don’t seem to have the same assumption for Ottawa, who likely will improve as well. This is still a very young team and room to grow with smart management.

Every year there are surprises and not everyone can improve at the same time, but I feel most well-versed observers can concede that Ottawa is in a good place going forward. I even think back in 2017 the team was in a good place, but ownership issues rustled up too many things. At least that issue seems to have been resolved.

Dylan Cozens (Canada)
Born Feb 9 2001 - 2019 7th Overall Pick
Height 6.03 -- Weight 207

Shane Pinto (United States)
Born Nov 12 2000 - 2019 32nd Overall Pick
Height 6.03 -- Weight 204

Tim Stutzle (Germany)
Born Jan 15 2002 - 2020 3rd Overall Pick
Height 6.00 -- Weight 192

Ridly Greig (Canada)
Born Aug 8 2002 - 2020 28th Overall Pick
Height 6.00 -- Weight 188

Is there an organization you would trade this center group for?
Maybe Chicago, San Jose, Anaheim Columbus are only teams that can compare with respect to young centres 24 & under.

Best Option - Columbus?

Kent Johnson (2021 5th Overall)
Cole Sillinger (2021 12th Overall)
Adam Fantilli (2023 3rd Overall)
Cayden Lindstrom (2024 4th Overall)
Gavin Brindley (2023 34th Overall)

Atlantic
1. FLA - 85 points - 14 GR
2. TBL - 81 points - 16 GR
3. TOR - 81 points - 16 GR
--------------------------------
W1. OTT - 77 points - 16 GR
W2. NYR - 72 points - 14 GR
-----------------------------------
9. MTL - 71 points - 16 GR (2 back of NYR, 6 back of OTT)
10. CBJ - 70 points - 16 GR (3 back of NYR, 7 back of OTT)
11. DET - 70 points - 15 GR (3 back of NYR, 7 back of OTT)

*Key games remaining for Sens*--- Tmr @MTL, Mar 27 @DET, Mar 29 vs CBJ, then key back to back games against CBJ Apr 6 & 8; followed by MTL right afterwards Apr 11 at home.

What does Giroux's next contract look like?

I'll start:

1 yr - $5million
2 yr - $4.5 AAV
- GrimmdaGoalie

Giroux is good for around 18 goals and 50-54 points a year.

Kyle Palmieri is a good comparable.

Objectively, I would say Giroux's market value (here) is 1 year @5.25-5.5M or 2 years @10M. I believe he will sign around this amount, gut says 2x5.5M