GAME DAY:Philadelphia Flyers @ Ottawa Senators– 7:30PM EST, Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

another strong game for #11 = strong game for the team

just looked at the standings, pitts is in 4rth... don't like the look of that. we have to climb back up to 3rd. i so want to face the habs....

PKC wrote:The math on this is ridiculous....7 minute powerplay. So if they score, how much time is left on the pp?

It's 2 minutes for instigating and 5 for fighting so if it's within the first 2 then there's 5 min left. If it's after the first 2 then the PP is gone.

Of course the Sens didn't score at all on the PP last night and you could have been asking a rhetorical question so disregard if you want.

A few things:

1 - I might actually start to stand up on a Kelly break away if he keeps this up.

2 - Huge hats off to the PK units

3 - What do the Sens have against Carcillo? Fun to watch but seriously is there a history or did I miss something early?

4 - I seriously can't wait for the Alfie 1000th game celebration. The Alfie chant should be even more crazy than playoffs circa 2007.

I counted 3 posts by the Sens, and a disallowed goal on both sides. Nice call yesterday Neely

Carcillo is like Tucker, but bigger. That pretty much sums it up. He went after Karlsson. Real big man, there. Challenged him to a fight? Seriously, this is worse than Peters challenging Emery *after* he already tangled with Biron.

I'm quite pleased to see Carcillo banged around all night then. He must have been itching to fight someone after consistently getting his bell rung though.

That Sutton roughing minor was about as logical as the A-Train roughing minor after being attacked by Gagne.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

PKC wrote:The math on this is ridiculous....7 minute powerplay. So if they score, how much time is left on the pp?

It's 2 minutes for instigating and 5 for fighting so if it's within the first 2 then there's 5 min left. If it's after the first 2 then the PP is gone.

Of course the Sens didn't score at all on the PP last night and you could have been asking a rhetorical question so disregard if you want.

That wasn't the break down at all...there was a four minute penalty in there for instigating with a visor, and then another 2 for something and then another minute (??) for something...

wprager wrote:Carcillo is like Tucker, but bigger. That pretty much sums it up. He went after Karlsson. Real big man, there. Challenged him to a fight? Seriously, this is worse than Peters challenging Emery *after* he already tangled with Biron.

Yeah, way to show you're a real tough guy by going after some 19-year-old kid who weighs as much as your thigh.

I really like the fact that Sutton came in and set him straight even if it did cost you a 5 on 3...it's amazing how the players always manage to kill those types of penalties.

Gagne got 19 minutes : 10 for misconduct, 5 for fighting and 4 for instigator with visor. The 10 minutes is not a power play leaving 9 minutes of power play time minus the 2 minutes that Volchenkov got for roughing = 7 minutes of PP.

Not that the Sens cashed in on it, but it's a lot easier to defend a 2 goal lead when you play 1 man up for 7 minutes.

Elliott was huuuuuge again last night. Seriously though, where are all these people crying for Mike Brodure now? Elliott got this train back on track again and is doing what a true numbe 1 does. This is a high pressure situation and he is shinning like a star. He is starting to show that not only can he be counted on in big games, his level of play actually improves and he makes the big saves at big times. I think Elliott is going to be the goaltender in Ottawa for a very long time.

Im not giving up on Leclaire because again, he has a ton of tallent and if he ever puts it together he will be a top 5 goaltender, but this is obviously Elliott's team. If they brought him back next year I wouldnt have a problem with it but if they deal him and bring in a backup like Roloson or Biron, I would support that too.

Sutton has to be resigned. 3 mil, 3 years would probably be a good price. He has been fantastic, I would love to see what he can do in a 7 game series.

Last nights win pretty much cemented their playoff spot and if they play anyone other then Washington, I think they can beat em if they play their game. They wont go into any series knowing that their goaltending isnt as good as the other teams except Buffalo, even then Ottawa beats Miller everytime.

I would welcome a Sabres first round matchup except I don't see it happening. With the way the Sens are playing they probably won't slip to 6th in order for that matchup to occur.

Right now it's the Pens or the Devils. If the Sens go in hot I like their chances first round even if it ends up being the Cup champs. There's history between the Sens and Pens, Devils and Sabres so they should be good games.

I never thought Brodeur was the answer but, when he was brought up I thought it can't get worse right? Seriously though, Elliott was on thin ice before Brodeur got ill. Who knows how things would have gone had Elliott not been given the chance by default.

Man, when Volchenkov does the things he did last night, it makes it hard to think about letting him go. The guy always sacrifices himself and seems to always be in the right place, blocking shots, preventing goals, and laying people out. Having him AND Sutton would be awesome. Maybe give Volchenkov a one year deal, hopefully he will take a little less for one year.

As far as the people wanting Mike Brodeur up, it's to be the back-up to Elliott and waive Leclaire. Makes little sense now that the cap has little impact.

Didn't see too much of Zack Smith. I thought he would be the guy they would have fight Carcillo since he wasn't getting much ice time.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I would welcome a Sabres first round matchup except I don't see it happening. With the way the Sens are playing they probably won't slip to 6th in order for that matchup to occur.

Right now it's the Pens or the Devils. If the Sens go in hot I like their chances first round even if it ends up being the Cup champs. There's history between the Sens and Pens, Devils and Sabres so they should be good games.

I never thought Brodeur was the answer but, when he was brought up I thought it can't get worse right? Seriously though, Elliott was on thin ice before Brodeur got ill. Who knows how things would have gone had Elliott not been given the chance by default.

Probably right where we are now. Maybe Brodure earned a chance to be the backup in Ottawa next year, but that's all he would ever be. He has been bounced around for a reason and he is in The AHL for a reason. He played well here and that cant be taken away, I was on my feet for him when he got the win against Minny, I was there. It was a great feeling and everyone in that building was happy for him. Lets not kid ourselves, he isnt a goaltender that can carry a team in The AHL or NHL... I would sooner see Holt up in Ottawa as the backup over Brodure... it could happen at some point. Next year they defently have to give Lehner the ball in Bingo and see what he's made of. Good time to get Silfverberg and Peterson over here with him if they can along with the addition of Cowick and MAYBE Hoffman, from everything being said he might very well make The Sens next year, that would be an impressive draft pick to say the least for Murray.

As for right now, Elliott is all you want in a number 1. A guy that gives you a chance to win everynight, a guy that can make the big saves, and a guy that shows up when it matters. Im sure the fickle fan base in Ottawa will soon forget this if he has a bad game but Elliott might be the guy here for the next 5 years plus... (someone said he would be the number 1 in Ottawa while Emery and Gerber were both here after the playoff run) Elliott is underappriciated already, hopefully not for much longer. The guy has every asset needed to be a good number 1 goaltender.

My big concern with the Sens is their PP and more importantly their road record. I think those two things might come back to haunt them in the playoffs.

Dash wrote:Man, when Volchenkov does the things he did last night, it makes it hard to think about letting him go. The guy always sacrifices himself and seems to always be in the right place, blocking shots, preventing goals, and laying people out. Having him AND Sutton would be awesome. Maybe give Volchenkov a one year deal, hopefully he will take a little less for one year.

As far as the people wanting Mike Brodeur up, it's to be the back-up to Elliott and waive Leclaire. Makes little sense now that the cap has little impact.

Didn't see too much of Zack Smith. I thought he would be the guy they would have fight Carcillo since he wasn't getting much ice time.

I dont think you can ignore how Sutton and Karlsson look together. They seem to have "it" together IMO. You need a guy like Sutton (not A Train) protecting and looking over Karlsson. That's a perfect pair IMO, I really, really hope they can resign Sutton. I would actually be super dissapointed if they didnt, more then A Train. I think A Train is more easily replaced then Sutton. His offense and ability to move the puck and join the rush has also impressed me, this is a really smart player who can do a lot of little things very well, he's also mean as Diddle.

Maybe Cowen learns to play the right side and is A Train's replacement next year...? Either way, I really want Sutton here next year, he brings all the things A Train does and a little more. Really starting to love that guy.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:My big concern with the Sens is their PP and more importantly their road record. I think those two things might come back to haunt them in the playoffs.

You and the rest of the city.

Dash wrote:Man, when Volchenkov does the things he did last night, it makes it hard to think about letting him go. The guy always sacrifices himself and seems to always be in the right place, blocking shots, preventing goals, and laying people out. Having him AND Sutton would be awesome. Maybe give Volchenkov a one year deal, hopefully he will take a little less for one year.

As far as the people wanting Mike Brodeur up, it's to be the back-up to Elliott and waive Leclaire. Makes little sense now that the cap has little impact.

Didn't see too much of Zack Smith. I thought he would be the guy they would have fight Carcillo since he wasn't getting much ice time.

Yeah, I hear ya about Volchenkov, that's the guy that would be devastating to lose when he plays like that. He hadn't been playing great, but the last couple of games he's been the A-Train we know and love. A lot of fun to watch. Sutton's the guy for me though, if we lose Volchenkov and can sign Sutton to 2 years/5 million, it takes a lot of the sting out of it. This guy Sutton can do it all, he can destroy guys, he can stand up for guys, he's a great shot blocked, he's intimidating and frankly, I find him to be a good outlet passer with a decent shot that he isn't afraid to unload.

Really huge hats off to Murray and the scouts for recognizing what a nice player this is and spending the 2nd rounder with I'm sure the thought of making that 2nd rounder become a signed Andy Sutton. Cullen's really good as well, but I doubt we can re-sign him without tinkering with the lineup a fair bit - maybe I guess.

And am I the only one who kinda likes the thought of a Z.Smith/Nick Foligno/Jesse Winchester line going forward? They play an aggressive, up tempo style and we know Foligno can bury the puck. I wonder if this is something worth trying in the long term or if it's just for now. You also have 3 natural centers out there just in case, with Winchester winning ~ 60% of his draws.