GAME 4 - 2010 Stanley Cup GAME DAY: Ottawa Senators (1) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (2), Tuesday Apr. 20, 2010 - 7:00PM EST.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

N4L wrote:I expect an assist from Spezza every game, no one makes a better career off of that 2nd assist then Spezza, that's for sure.

The defense has to do a better job of clearing bodies in front of Ellott too considering the size of our D. They also have to pay attention to detail, too many break downs last game.

We need another hit similar to the Sutton on Leopold hit (doesn't necessarily have to knock the guy out of the game either) within the first 5 minutes of the game. I also want to see the Sens massively out hitting the Pens in period one without it costing us a goal or a penalty. Set the tone early, draw some penalties and be relentless on Crosby and Malkin and everything else you said above.

Um, yes it does.

RobbyJ wrote:My hope is that CC stops trying to match Spezza and Alfie with Crosby's line. It seems to me that they are thinking too much about D rather than just controlling the play, and it ain't working. Make Crosby's minutes harder, hit Malkin again and again, punish Gonchar and Letang on the forecheck and make the Pens worry about us rather than worrying about them.

Absolutely. CC: IT's NOT working!!! Seriously put Spezza up against the sleeping giant in Malkin and put Fisher in Crosby's face all night. Fisher, Cullen and Foligno with ATrain and Phillips should be able to shut down Crosby and even generate offense. Let Spezza, Alfie and Regin line up against Malkin and I'm sure you'll see much better results tonight.

Dash wrote:Seriously, tell me about it.

Any line-up changes? Cheechoo? Donovan?

Edit: TSN said CC "may elect" to dress Cheechoo, Donovan or both tonight. Who * else* would sit if both play?

I hope we see Shannon out and Donovan in. If CC wants to bring Cheechoo in as well, then he'll have to sit Winch I think, but is that really warranted? Who else? We could have a 4th line of:

Donovan - Z. Smith - Cheechoo

Hmmmm...

shabbs wrote:

Dash wrote:Seriously, tell me about it.

Any line-up changes? Cheechoo? Donovan?

Edit: TSN said CC "may elect" to dress Cheechoo, Donovan or both tonight. Who * else* would sit if both play?

I hope we see Shannon out and Donovan in. If CC wants to bring Cheechoo in as well, then he'll have to sit Winch I think, but is that really warranted? Who else? We could have a 4th line of:

Donovan - Z. Smith - Cheechoo

Hmmmm...

I would think Winch stays in and Z. Smith gets bumped out personally. Donovan Winchester and Cheechoo sounds like a nice 4th line to me. Definitely better than the one with Shannon on it.

Smith and Winchester haven't done much wrong, but haven't done that much right. Smith has been centering the 4th line, so Winchester would be the odd man out if both Donovan and Cheechoo come in as neither are a center. I'm sure Shannon will sit.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

shabbs wrote:

Dash wrote:Seriously, tell me about it.

Any line-up changes? Cheechoo? Donovan?

Edit: TSN said CC "may elect" to dress Cheechoo, Donovan or both tonight. Who * else* would sit if both play?

I hope we see Shannon out and Donovan in. If CC wants to bring Cheechoo in as well, then he'll have to sit Winch I think, but is that really warranted? Who else? We could have a 4th line of:

Donovan - Z. Smith - Cheechoo

Hmmmm...

I would think Winch stays in and Z. Smith gets bumped out personally. Donovan Winchester and Cheechoo sounds like a nice 4th line to me. Definitely better than the one with Shannon on it.

Meh... neither really "deserve" to be replaced... but if there's a choice to be made... I like what I've seen from Smith so far... he's been getting his nose dirty.

dennycrane wrote:Smith and Winchester haven't done much wrong, but haven't done that much right. Smith has been centering the 4th line, so Winchester would be the odd man out if both Donovan and Cheechoo come in as neither are a center. I'm sure Shannon will sit.

Winch can center as well, so if Z. Smith was brought out, Winch would slide over to center.

I think losing either Smith or Winch in place of Dono or Cheech isn't going to be a dramatic series changing type of move. I don't think it would hurt us though. Definitely get Shannon out of there at least. After that...meh.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I think losing either Smith or Winch in place of Dono or Cheech isn't going to be a dramatic series changing type of move. I don't think it would hurt us though. Definitely get Shannon out of there at least. After that...meh.

True... worst thing: people's feelings get hurt.

Well, Diddle that Dung. This is the playoffs. Do what needs to be done.

If he were to dress both, maybe Shannon and Foligno sit? I think Foligno
has been working really hard though.

I once again cast my vote for Chris Phillips to score the first Ottawa goal tonight. Go Philly aka Big Rig.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I think losing either Smith or Winch in place of Dono or Cheech isn't going to be a dramatic series changing type of move. I don't think it would hurt us though. Definitely get Shannon out of there at least. After that...meh.

I'd even consider taking Foligno out and having Winchester Center Ruutu and Neil and play Kelly on Fishers RW.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I think losing either Smith or Winch in place of Dono or Cheech isn't going to be a dramatic series changing type of move. I don't think it would hurt us though. Definitely get Shannon out of there at least. After that...meh.

I'd even consider taking Foligno out and having Winchester Center Ruutu and Neil and play Kelly on Fishers RW.

I dunno... that sounds like quite a bit of change... we're not there yet are we?

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I think losing either Smith or Winch in place of Dono or Cheech isn't going to be a dramatic series changing type of move. I don't think it would hurt us though. Definitely get Shannon out of there at least. After that...meh.

I'd even consider taking Foligno out and having Winchester Center Ruutu and Neil and play Kelly on Fishers RW.

Sounds good except for Clouston's infatuation with the Ruutu, Kelly, Neil line is quite strong and can you blame him after the game 1 performance?

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

N4L wrote:I expect an assist from Spezza every game, no one makes a better career off of that 2nd assist then Spezza, that's for sure.

The defense has to do a better job of clearing bodies in front of Ellott too considering the size of our D. They also have to pay attention to detail, too many break downs last game.

We need another hit similar to the Sutton on Leopold hit (doesn't necessarily have to knock the guy out of the game either) within the first 5 minutes of the game. I also want to see the Sens massively out hitting the Pens in period one without it costing us a goal or a penalty. Set the tone early, draw some penalties and be relentless on Crosby and Malkin and everything else you said above.

Um, yes it does.

Sutton has been a non-factor since that hit. He's looked timid and afraid to lay the body ever since. This is where he should be thriving. The Pens hate us, we hate the Pens. This isn't the time to reduce the physicality especially after Crosby smoked Alfie. Lay a nice hit on Crosby, get him mad and off his game. If it's dirty it's dirty. I'm not condoning poor sportsmanship but a message has to be sent to Crosby that nothing is going to come easy and that he's going to have to work for his points now.

I'd like to see some jump out of Spezza. More shots on net, more north-south, and no more drop passes. Spezza's late season success came because he was shooting the puck. Would it kill him to play with some passion or heart? He's exemplifying why he's the team's scapegoat. He's the most talented player on the team yet he disappears when he can't play his game. Time to adjust and lead by example.

Lastly, Alfie needs to pop one tonight too and it's gotta come early in the game. He's the epitomy of leadership on this team and his success is the driving force behinf the Sens. He's going to have to put the team on his shoulders if they want to win. His ability to control a game has been invisible so far, and this could be the last home game of the year so I expect him to come out hard and shoot the puck.

I personally think it'll take Ottawa scoring the first two goals of the game combined with some almost sure goals being stopped by Elliott or a ridiculous defensive play to eliminate a sure goal.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I think losing either Smith or Winch in place of Dono or Cheech isn't going to be a dramatic series changing type of move. I don't think it would hurt us though. Definitely get Shannon out of there at least. After that...meh.

I'd even consider taking Foligno out and having Winchester Center Ruutu and Neil and play Kelly on Fishers RW.

Sounds good except for Clouston's infatuation with the Ruutu, Kelly, Neil line is quite strong and can you blame him after the game 1 performance?

My infatuation with wanting to win might have clouded my memory.

In my mind this series is over. It feels about as futile as when we were swept by the Pens (and we're out 3 top players just as before). The way this team deflates on a Penguins goal (like Ponikarovsky's) makes me think they're too fragile to pull this off as well.

It doesn't seem to matter what we do or how well Elliott plays, Crosby/Malkin will find a way to burn us.

Hoping for the best tonight, but it's tough to be optmistic.

Hoags wrote:In my mind this series is over. It feels about as futile as when we were swept by the Pens (and we're out 3 top players just as before). The way this team deflates on a Penguins goal (like Ponikarovsky's) makes me think they're too fragile to pull this off as well.

It doesn't seem to matter what we do or how well Elliott plays, Crosby/Malkin will find a way to burn us.

Hoping for the best tonight, but it's tough to be optmistic.

I think that's a load of crap perpetuated by Elliott-hating members of the media. Basically trying to pin the loss on him when there are so many opportunities for improvement and adjustments throughout the lineup.

Crosby and Malkin haven't had to "find a way" to burn us because it's been a free pass for them so far.