Game Day: Sabres at Senators March 17 '09

What is this the Kardiak Kids (the first 'K' is for Kanata). I'm glad that they've found the "Come-back" button, but must they use it every game? Must say, though, sure makes for exciting hockey when you know your team will come back from being down 2. If they continue this next year there will be fewer people leaving midway through the third if they are down. As for Elliott, I guess he's just not meant to ever get a shutout.

Well, they've had quite a few PPs thrown their way...

wprager wrote:What is this the Kardiak Kids (the first 'K' is for Kanata). I'm glad that they've found the "Come-back" button, but must they use it every game? Must say, though, sure makes for exciting hockey when you know your team will come back from being down 2. If they continue this next year there will be fewer people leaving midway through the third if they are down. As for Elliott, I guess he's just not meant to ever get a shutout.

I'm not watching, so I can't say for sure, but I have to wonder if the 2-2 score is more a product of either Buffalo getting lucky, or generating some really good chances in the first given the shot total is 26-7 in Ottawa's favor (including 13-1 in the 2nd).

At least offensively it seems like Ottawa has been going all game and has just managed to find the back of the net in the 2nd. Like I said though, I'm not watching, so I could be totally wrong.

Third has just started, but I wanted to comment on Spezza's defensive coverage of Buffalo's second goal. He really had the patch of ice covered, too bad Pominville was on another patch of ice.

Jason needs a Rolex with a GPS when he ventures into the defensive zone.

shabbs wrote:Well, they've had quite a few PPs thrown their way...

I've not seen too many PPs *thrown* their way. Usually they are earned through hard work. Many of the games where the Sens get a lot of calls going their way they actually deserve to have gotten even more. They had 2 PPs in the 1st (second one only a half minute) and the Sabres had 1, yet they got the same 13 shots on goal as in the second.

Buffalo is a team trying to claw their way back into a playoff spot, and they get 2 shots in the 2nd? Lindy may have lost his voice by now.

Edit: Correction -- 1 shot. An earlier update had them with 2 but it's since been changed.

Mariposa Belle wrote:Third has just started, but I wanted to comment on Spezza's defensive coverage of Buffalo's second goal. He really had the patch of ice covered, too bad Pominville was on another patch of ice.

Jason needs a Rolex with a GPS when he ventures into the defensive zone.

It looked like he was trying to get open. And he did. Although to be fair, all five of them were scrambling like they didn't know which way was up (out?) And Elliott did over-commit a touch. He needs to stop doing that when Spezza has the forward "covered".

Alfie! Another 2 point night, one more closer to PPG for his career.

bell gets his second of the night

We beat Buffalo again. Elliot wins his 6th start in a row.

Toronto score 3 in a row to tie it and win in SO. We are still 6th last

EDIT: In fact we just dropped (or climbed if you want) to 7th. We have the same exact record as LA, same number of games played, but with 2 more goals in goals difference.

With the way this team is playing, I think it's time to look for some Jordan Shroeder info

Elliott now 13-4-3.... Thats insane.

Good game from the Sens, dominated that game for the most part. Kuba was AMAZING tonight, best player on the ice by a mile. The play he made on Alfi's goal was nothing short of great. People should really pay closer attention to this guy because if you watch how simple he keeps the game, and at the same time having the ability to really create some offense, you would really appriciate this guy.

Bell, good for him, showing he does belong in the NHL even if it is just only as a 6, 7 D man. Not a more perfect guy to fill that role in Ottawa. Give him a 2 year, 500K one way deal next year, nothing wrong with keeping him around.

Spezza, AWFUL 1st, good second, great 3rd, thats encouraging but the guy has to start to pay attention in his own zone. Heatley was dominate away from Spezza, just amazing when he isnt out there with him. Alfi was Alfi.

Hey, who injected Brendan Bell with Bobby Orr Magic Juice? Helluva game from the young man...good on him.

As for Mr Spezza, sorry, he just ain't cuttin' it...not for that kind of money.

Alfie seems really jazzed...another great performance from him.

Sabres look dulled...it may over for this year for the Buffalo Wingers.

Happy St Paddy's Day to Mr Elliott!

Neely4Life wrote:Elliott now 13-4-3.... Thats insane.

Good game from the Sens, dominated that game for the most part. Kuba was AMAZING tonight, best player on the ice by a mile. The play he made on Alfi's goal was nothing short of great. People should really pay closer attention to this guy because if you watch how simple he keeps the game, and at the same time having the ability to really create some offense, you would really appriciate this guy.

Bell, good for him, showing he does belong in the NHL even if it is just only as a 6, 7 D man. Not a more perfect guy to fill that role in Ottawa. Give him a 2 year, 500K one way deal next year, nothing wrong with keeping him around.

Spezza, AWFUL 1st, good second, great 3rd, thats encouraging but the guy has to start to pay attention in his own zone. Heatley was dominate away from Spezza, just amazing when he isnt out there with him. Alfi was Alfi.

I agree with this, I don't even need to write anything else.

I might add that from my view tonight, Brian Lee is not an NHL D-man. He might need to spend a full year in Bingo next year - which would be a shame. Bell can do what Lee can do - at less $$ - and with a better PP presence.

I might be cooling off on Brian Lee a lot. If the right package came along - like Lee and our 1st for 6th overall for example - I'd do in and not regret it for a second.

Other than that, very positive.

Ive been saying for ever, for the price tag and what Bell brings, I would take him over Lee, hands down, withotu question. People expecting Lee to be a top D man in this league any time in the next 5 years are in for a loooooooong wait.

Give the contract to Bell, he has EARNED it and has way more offensive ability than Lee. On a 2nd PP unit, Bell is perfect. Great shot, moves the puck well and knows when to jump up. Even strength he isnt any better than a 6th D man, but thats why he makes 500K.

I thought Neil with Spezza and Heatley was very effective. Him just being with them seemed to inspire them to play harder and he just gives those 2 guys more space and kind of keeps the opposition in line. If that could work long term then we could bump Shannon down to the third line and have 3 good lines when Comrie comes back.

I tend to agree with Heater on Lee as well. He's just not ready yet. Even during this dominant win he still looked not so good.

Neely4Life wrote:Ive been saying for ever, for the price tag and what Bell brings, I would take him over Lee, hands down, withotu question. People expecting Lee to be a top D man in this league any time in the next 5 years are in for a loooooooong wait.

Give the contract to Bell, he has EARNED it and has way more offensive ability than Lee. On a 2nd PP unit, Bell is perfect. Great shot, moves the puck well and knows when to jump up. Even strength he isnt any better than a 6th D man, but thats why he makes 500K.

I'll second that at this point. Screw it, Bell has indeed earned a spot as 6th D-man and PP specialist. When it comes down to it, there's no NHL room for Lee for next year. Providing that Murray and Bell come to an agreement, I could grow to like this guy.

Urkie wrote:I thought Neil with Spezza and Heatley was very effective. Him just being with them seemed to inspire them to play harder and he just gives those 2 guys more space and kind of keeps the opposition in line. If that could work long term then we could bump Shannon down to the third line and have 3 good lines when Comrie comes back.

I agree, Neil looked great all game. There are risks to putting Neil top line with those two, but it looked great tonight. I would still like to see the FFS line together permanently and move Foligno down with Comrie and Kelly, but at least some options seem to be opening up. This also depends on whether Neil is willing to get his head out of his arse and take 1.6 million X 3 contract.