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.