GAME DAY: Ottawa Senators @ New York Islanders - 7:00pm Nov. 29th, 2008

spezza rules! wrote:Game is available online http://www.atdhe.net/#

Not sure what's better, watching it on a 15-year-old 17" CRT monitor (used to be top-of-the-line or re-watch the Sens/Leafs overtime/shootout victory in high-def on a 57" screen. At least with the Leafs game I'm guaranteed a victory. Then again, as ticked as the Isles will be after the blowout, they'll be tired and full of turkey farts. So, at the risk of jinxing it, that's probably just as ... umm, better not.

What to do, what to do.

So, checking the standings, the Sens have clawed their way into 10th, behind Buffalo and Carolina for the last playoff spot. We've got 3 games in hand on Carolina and 6 points behind them. A nice little winning streak would do nicely right now. Let's not forget that we have only won two in a row, one against the Leafs in a shootout. We've scored fewer goals than we've let in, even though we're leading the Conference (and 2nd in the league) in goals against.

This is a really odd year. The team that led the league in scoring the last three years (?) is now tied for *league-worst* in that category.

In a way, this is a much better position to find ourselves in than last year.
1. Goal is the least of our worries. In fact our goalie is 3rd in GAA and 5th in SV%.
2. We are playing well defensively, even though we did not start the year that well (Lee had to be sent down, Schubert had to be benched, and Picard wasn't playing well). In other words our defensive play is even better than the stats show.
3. Goals will come. With better play from Picard and the callup of Bell, we have three defensemen capable of moving the puck. By putting a forward on the back-end of the 2nd PP unit we can stop using Phillips back there and get even better production from the powerplay.

We now have three defensemen capable of moving the puck. Not elite by any stretch, but certainly good enough. Maybe it's time to split Philchenkov and get O/D in each pairing.

Donovan not playing (IceChips).

Missed seeing this earlier, but Pock has been placed on waivers by the Islanders. Too bad. I would have loved some payback for his hit on Shannon.

wprager wrote:Donovan not playing (IceChips).

Zach Smith is in.

http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Senators/2008/11/29/7578101.html

My buddy called me this morning from the sensplex and I went in to watch Neil, Picard and Shannon practice. I will say this, Neil is one hell of a class act. We talked to them for about an hour, then a coach at the tournament being held there, asked Neil if he'd come in and give them a pep talk, as they haven't won a game all year. He obliged right away. The team lost 6-0, but still a very nice thing for him to so.

Shannon is very small too.

The Isles have given up 12 goals in the last two games. Combine that with the top line just gnawing at a chance to break out. It could get ugly in a hurry. Just please, please, please not another 1-1 game going into OT. Bury them early and often. Hurt them in the second. Put some more in in the third. Never take the foot off the -- what is it that Mr. Burns calls it -- the velocitator. Make DiPietro feel the pain even if he's not on the ice.

COLLAR UP wrote:

Snuh wrote:

COLLAR UP wrote:

shabbs wrote:The Sens visit the Islanders looking to build on their 2-game winning streak and improving play of late. They are fresh off a 2-1 shootout win over the Leafs where Auld gave them a top-notch performance.

Zach Smith and Brian Lee have been called up to address injuries on the Sens' roster. Smith will play only if Donovan can't go tonight. Lee will fill in ofr Picard who won't be in the line-up.

Alex Auld gets his 8th straight start in net.

The game is listed as on MSG PLUS 2. NHL CI viewers only I think.

GO SENS GO!!!

Anyone find it funny that Smith gets called up instead of Zubov? Means 1 of 2 things to me...

either Zubov is involved in a potential deal...OR...Smith is being auditioned for his role in a potential deal...

Is Picard hurt? If not I think Lee is being auditioned over Smith.

Well Picard is hurt...not sure what...but you are certainly bang on...Lee is being auditioned for sure...no doubt...

Picard has a mild sprain in his wrist, I spoke with him as well today. He should be back Wednesday he said.

jamvan wrote:My buddy called me this morning from the sensplex and I went in to watch Neil, Picard and Shannon practice. I will say this, Neil is one hell of a class act. We talked to them for about an hour, then a coach at the tournament being held there, asked Neil if he'd come in and give them a pep talk, as they haven't won a game all year. He obliged right away. The team lost 6-0, but still a very nice thing for him to so.

Shannon is very small too.

For an hour??! Shouldn't they be skating, riding a bike or something? It's all your fault if they come back 5 lbs overweight.

:D

By the way, was Shannon playing the point on the 2nd unit before? I remember seeing him there but not sure if he was just covering for a D-man. He looked quite comfortable. I'd put Kuba/Picard out for the 1st unit, then Bell/Shannon for the 2nd and Chris Phillips can practice his shootout moves in the hallway, or taking a breather. I'd let him pick which.

When I click on the feed for the game at the atdhe site the little loading icon in the video players just keeps rotating....

It will until the game starts

oh, hopefully then it will work. I've had bad luck with it in the past.

DashRiprock wrote:oh, hopefully then it will work. I've had bad luck with it in the past.

The game just came online.

C'mon boys. We need this win. Beer is cold and the game is on.

Lee is so bad.

Good initial pressure by the Sens but they seem to be struggling since the Islanders goal.

Lee is just so brutal haha, I mean, its obvious why he is in the AHL.

Beers are flowin'...