GAME DAY: St. Louis @ Ottawa, 7:30PM, Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Riprock wrote:Not really ripping on Auld. But there must be a reason he isn't playing.

Yeah its cuz he's not as good as Anderson. And Anderson has won alot of games on account of playing so much. I think its a mistake personally (thought he shoulda gotten the NYI game anyways) to keep playing Anderson. As great as Anderson has been for Ottawa especially during that run from end of december to mid January, he's not been stealing any games in the last 3 weeks. It's time to get a fresh face just for a game.

I was also hoping Pmac would put in Auld after it became 2-0 against the Leafs. This team is fragile and they need some shakeup when they're down as much as they are.

Tonight will be Michalek's 500th game.

So, let's pencil him in for a hat trick... yes... please!!!!!!

Heh heh.

Michallica wrote:

Riprock wrote:Not really ripping on Auld. But there must be a reason he isn't playing.

Yeah its cuz he's not as good as Anderson. And Anderson has won alot of games on account of playing so much. I think its a mistake personally (thought he shoulda gotten the NYI game anyways) to keep playing Anderson. As great as Anderson has been for Ottawa especially during that run from end of december to mid January, he's not been stealing any games in the last 3 weeks. It's time to get a fresh face just for a game.

I was also hoping Pmac would put in Auld after it became 2-0 against the Leafs. This team is fragile and they need some shakeup when they're down as much as they are.

I agree that Anderson is playing because the Sens believe he is their best shot at winning. So that suggests they don't blieve auld is capable of that. And since every game is pretty much a must win for Ottawa, that leaves Anderson as their only option it seems. And as already brought up as a concern, he might be exhausted if the team makes the playoffs.

Riprock wrote:

Michallica wrote:

Riprock wrote:Not really ripping on Auld. But there must be a reason he isn't playing.

Yeah its cuz he's not as good as Anderson. And Anderson has won alot of games on account of playing so much. I think its a mistake personally (thought he shoulda gotten the NYI game anyways) to keep playing Anderson. As great as Anderson has been for Ottawa especially during that run from end of december to mid January, he's not been stealing any games in the last 3 weeks. It's time to get a fresh face just for a game.

I was also hoping Pmac would put in Auld after it became 2-0 against the Leafs. This team is fragile and they need some shakeup when they're down as much as they are.

I agree that Anderson is playing because the Sens believe he is their best shot at winning. So that suggests they don't blieve auld is capable of that. And since every game is pretty much a must win for Ottawa, that leaves Anderson as their only option it seems. And as already brought up as a concern, he might be exhausted if the team makes the playoffs.

Yeah my point is I don't agree with it. It hasn't worked the last 6 games, I don't like the chances of it working today. The only argument I can think is that St. Louis relies on low scoring games and in that case, yes Anderson is better. No denying that. Auld also had a fantastic game in Vancouver (lost in OT 2-1) against the canucks whereas Anderson was quite lack lustre in Ottawa against the 'Nucks. Where'd that confidence go?

I get that you don't agree with it, just like I don't necessarily agree that Greening and Condra are the best options for a top 6 winger, but there aren't many other options out there. Because, moving them would mean calling others up, demoting/scratching others, and it would be a heck of a mess.

Note, I am not saying Greening and Condra suck, they just are more suited for 3rd line at the moment. Condra's doing well, I am pleased to see that.

Would like to see Petersson get a few games playing on the top line, but usually when someone gets the opportunity, it is short lived. Seems like you have to score or get an assist on your first shift in order for the coaches to think you are cut out for that spot.

Riprock wrote:I get that you don't agree with it, just like I don't necessarily agree that Greening and Condra are the best options for a top 6 winger, but there aren't many other options out there. Because, moving them would mean calling others up, demoting/scratching others, and it would be a heck of a mess.

Note, I am not saying Greening and Condra suck, they just are more suited for 3rd line at the moment. Condra's doing well, I am pleased to see that.

Would like to see Petersson get a few games playing on the top line, but usually when someone gets the opportunity, it is short lived. Seems like you have to score or get an assist on your first shift in order for the coaches to think you are cut out for that spot.

Agreed. Hopefully we can start a nice run with a win tonight so Murray can seriously look at what he needs to do to secure a playoff spot and maybe win a round or two.

Via Mendes: In his last 9 appearances at Scotiabank Place as a member of the Sens, Brian Elliott was 0-5-3 with a 3.21 GAA & .883 save pct.

Let us hope this trend continues... yes.

shabbs wrote:Via Mendes: In his last 9 appearances at Scotiabank Place as a member of the Sens, Brian Elliott was 0-5-3 with a 3.21 GAA & .883 save pct.

Let us hope this trend continues... yes.

So it raises the question of whether Elliott is doing well because he has a talent to be a very good goalie, or is it a product of the environment? Halak kind of did the opposite when getting to St. Louis from Montreal.

Hoags wrote:

wprager wrote:

I'm not concerned about Anderson getting burned out. Just get us to the playoffs.

So you're saying Lehner will backstop us to the Stanley Cup ???

Dare to dream. I still remember '86 (lived in Montreal then):

Well Lehner does seem to be a pressure situation goalie. He's having his struggle this season, a lot to do with injury, and last season he was backing up Brust. But we know what happened come playoffs.

Hoags wrote:He's getting outplayed by McKenna, I bet his CoD game is much better than his goaltending right now.

And Einstein got Cs in math. He's shown what he can do and is ready for the next challenge.

Interesting tid-bit about Roy. In 1984-85 he only played two regular season games a the pro-level: 1 with Sherbrooke (AHL) and one with the Habs. But when the AHL starter had equipment malfunction he subbed in, won the game, and stayed in the rest of the way to win the Calder Cup.

Next season he spent the full year in the NHL, stating as a backup for Soetart. He ended up playing 47 games, with so-so stats: 3.35 GAA and .875 SV% (but, of course, with the small pads back then, maybe it wasn't that bas )

We all know what happened when he got to the post-season.

wprager wrote:

Hoags wrote:

wprager wrote:

I'm not concerned about Anderson getting burned out. Just get us to the playoffs.

So you're saying Lehner will backstop us to the Stanley Cup ???

Dare to dream. I still remember '86 (lived in Montreal then):

Ah, 86. I was a strapping young fellow of 72 back then. Good times.

Riprock wrote:

shabbs wrote:Via Mendes: In his last 9 appearances at Scotiabank Place as a member of the Sens, Brian Elliott was 0-5-3 with a 3.21 GAA & .883 save pct.

Let us hope this trend continues... yes.

So it raises the question of whether Elliott is doing well because he has a talent to be a very good goalie, or is it a product of the environment? Halak kind of did the opposite when getting to St. Louis from Montreal.

I think there is a reason -- and a correlation -- why he leads the league in SV% (and second in GAA) but not even in the top 20 in wins. He was forced into a #1 role last season and was not ready. Not sure if he will ever be "ready" to play 65-70+ games a year. Last year it was more a mental thing than physical (he sucked before he even played a lot of games). Given that, I think he will *never* be that goalie. You can adjust to the physical strains, but I don't know if you can get into a different head space through practice and workouts.

The thing I remember most about Roy was how unflappable he was following a bad game (his last game with the Habs was something else entirely). That, and the wink at Sandtrom.

shabbs wrote:Via Mendes: In his last 9 appearances at Scotiabank Place as a member of the Sens, Brian Elliott was 0-5-3 with a 3.21 GAA & .883 save pct.

Let us hope this trend continues... yes.

It won't... the Blues defense is too good to let that happen. I just have a real bad feeling about this game.. same as the one I had for the Leafs game.

Question is.. what Ottawa team shows up.. the one that played the 1st two periods against the Bruins (then they have a chance to win) or the team that showed up against the Leafs (5-0 score would be flattering).

St. Louis is a very good hockey team. McLean had better have Smith against Backes... Backes.. is one tough SOB.. Spezza would be very sore tomorrow...

LOL 1-0 St. Louis

Anderson just doesn't give a Diddle.

Konopka is also a useless POS. Every fight he has, the other team scores right after. Exaggerating but it seems to happen a lot.

So, not really seeing an effort. Are the Sens trying to tank? Because they aren't winning and they aren't trying.

So... those of us saying Anderson is worn out might be on to something. Don't listen to Dean Brown and Denis Potvin though, they say that's absurd.

Sens haven't looked good the past dozen games, this must be the team I thought they would be coming out. Forget the first 40 some odd games.

But they are still good enough to win in the playoffs (if they get there!).

Anyways, yeah I know I am being a smart Donkey, basically reiterating all the things I have been saying and getting Dung on for, but it looks like I actually know what I am talking about!