GAME DAY #32: Capitals @ Senators - 7:00pm - Wednesday Dec. 16 2015

Here we are after 31 games, and what have we learned?  After a frustrating (and, in some ways, humiliating) loss to the struggling Canadiens the Sens beat up on the Kings (let's face it, it wasn't close if not for the weird bounce off the boards on Toffoli's goal).  That's the way it has gone for this team for a couple years, now -- they seem to rise to the level (whether perceived or real) of their competition.

Reunited and it feels so good: Cameron switched up Turris and Zibanejad, re-uniting the Hoffman-Zibanejad-Ryan line in the process.  Hoffman and Zibanejad responded with big games (3 points each, Hoffman just a Doughty slash away from an empty-net hattrick); Ryan had a good game even if he came away with a single assist.  

Dziurzynski replaced Boro as the 4th line torpedo and had a great time with 9 hits, putting the Kings' defense on high alert all night.  Inexplicably, it sounds like Cameron is going back to Boro as a forward tonight.  I.  Just.  No words.

Hammond will get the start tonight.  Hopefully the team tightens up in the defensive zone and doesn't make him pine for Bingo.

Sorry, kinda busy today so not time for analyzing the Caps.  #8 has a good shot -- he's the one with the yellow stick.  There's another Russian that's pretty good.  Their goalie's having quite a season, too.

GO SENS GO!!!

Let's destroy them Crapitals!!!!

Luke Richardson had high praise for Dziurzynski saying that "Ottawa" made a "great decision" calling him up. He was Lukewarm (get it? ) in his assessment of The Pumper in the same discussion.

SeawaySensFan wrote:Luke Richardson had high praise for Dziurzynski saying that "Ottawa" made a "great decision" calling him up. He was Lukewarm (get it? ) in his assessment of The Pumper in the same discussion.

Hmmm, that's a bad thing for Puempel to say the least.

SpezDispensed wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:Luke Richardson had high praise for Dziurzynski saying that "Ottawa" made a "great decision" calling him up. He was Lukewarm (get it? ) in his assessment of The Pumper in the same discussion.

Hmmm, that's a bad thing for Puempel to say the least.

That or a comment on the organizational preference for safe, hard-working players over those with offensive upside and skill.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispensed wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:Luke Richardson had high praise for Dziurzynski saying that "Ottawa" made a "great decision" calling him up. He was Lukewarm (get it? ) in his assessment of The Pumper in the same discussion.

Hmmm, that's a bad thing for Puempel to say the least.

That or a comment on the organizational preference for safe, hard-working players over those with offensive upside and skill.

Well I believe everyone should get a shot that deserves it. If puempel is sulking and not really buying into it down there he won't get called up. Show some effort in the A if you want to come back to the N.

So I hope they are keeping the Zib/Ryan/hoff line together? Who are they lining up with turris and stone? I say it might be time to stick Prince back in there. It better not be Boro....

Flo The Action wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispensed wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:Luke Richardson had high praise for Dziurzynski saying that "Ottawa" made a "great decision" calling him up. He was Lukewarm (get it? ) in his assessment of The Pumper in the same discussion.

Hmmm, that's a bad thing for Puempel to say the least.

That or a comment on the organizational preference for safe, hard-working players over those with offensive upside and skill.

Well I believe everyone should get a shot that deserves it. If puempel is sulking and not really buying into it down there he won't get called up. Show some effort in the A if you want to come back to the N.

Richardson sort of said something along those lines regarding last season but said there was an improvement specially over the last couple of games.

On the other hand, if I were in the AHL and had been there for quite some time, working hard, hoping for a call up, and I saw a quasi-bust like Lazar in the NHL basically blocking me, I'd be pissed. So I'm guessing morale isn't super high down there for this reason.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Flo The Action wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

SpezDispensed wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:Luke Richardson had high praise for Dziurzynski saying that "Ottawa" made a "great decision" calling him up. He was Lukewarm (get it? ) in his assessment of The Pumper in the same discussion.

Hmmm, that's a bad thing for Puempel to say the least.

That or a comment on the organizational preference for safe, hard-working players over those with offensive upside and skill.

Well I believe everyone should get a shot that deserves it. If puempel is sulking and not really buying into it down there he won't get called up. Show some effort in the A if you want to come back to the N.

Richardson sort of said something along those lines regarding last season but said there was an improvement specially over the last couple of games.

On the other hand, if I were in the AHL and had been there for quite some time, working hard, hoping for a call up, and I saw a quasi-bust like Lazar in the NHL basically blocking me, I'd be pissed. So I'm guessing morale isn't super high down there for this reason.

I agree there. The level of leash lazar gets is confounding. He's not instrumental to our offence. Might be alright on the PK but we'd probably be fine with other bodies here.
Maybe the org changes their mind in another 10 games if he still doesn't produce. But yeah, it's really a shame.

Lazar showed his worth the last game. Was effective in all three zones. He's a keeper.

It's because Cameron loves him.  I like his 2-way play, but Diddle man...eventually you have to average more than 14 points a year...

SpezDispensed wrote:It's because Cameron loves him.  I like his 2-way play, but Diddle man...eventually you have to average more than 14 points a year...

Projected ceiling: Chris Kelly with less offense.

more to come

SpezDispensed wrote:It's because Cameron loves him.  I like his 2-way play, but Diddle man...eventually you have to average more than 14 points a year...

He's played 1.3 years so far. He's 20.

Ev wrote:

SpezDispensed wrote:It's because Cameron loves him.  I like his 2-way play, but Diddle man...eventually you have to average more than 14 points a year...

He's played 1.3 years so far. He's 20.

I realize, but I would have thought there'd be a little more offense - even at this stage of his young career.

Flo The Action wrote:So I hope they are keeping the Zib/Ryan/hoff line together? Who are they lining up with turris and stone? I say it might be time to stick Prince back in there. It better not be Boro....

It was Smith and Cameron is not making changes.