Carolina Hurricanes @ Ottawa Senators, Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 7:00 PM EST

Hoags wrote:

Big Ev wrote:Seriously, whoever is mad at this game is incredibly naive IMO. Wasn't that hard to predict a loss tonight.

Predictable ? Yes

Good ? No. You'd think they'd have more drive than that to avoid playing Boston. Not to mention it'd be nice to go into the playoffs on a winning note although 2 games left to get that going again.

Flo The Action wrote:bleh
and if i'm right i don't think anyone got injured for the bruins... weak day for us.

Boychuk was injured apparently.

I seriously hope so!

Big Ev wrote:Seriously, whoever is mad at this game is incredibly naive IMO. Wasn't that hard to predict a loss tonight.

They wanted to look at the last seven games as a playoff series. They knocked off four in a row. I can see how they'd have trouble getting up for a game against the Hurricanes. It's the wrong attitude, but it happens.

They'll move on and hopefully win the last two games and get warmed up for the playoffs.

Michallica wrote:The hell is up with the stupid blowhorn used for the end of each period? Where's the buzzer?

The one in the scoreboard was malfunctioning and they had to use an air horn.

shabbs wrote:

wprager wrote:

shabbs wrote:So... Boston... or Rags... who will it be?

Bees it bee.

Isn't 8th still on the table... if Florida wins the div, and the Caps win out and we lose out?

I'm just making a prediction.

Big Ev wrote:Seriously, whoever is mad at this game is incredibly naive IMO. Wasn't that hard to predict a loss tonight.

Who is mad about it? They lost a lot of games against bad teams in March. Loss to Florida, two losses (one in SO) to Montreal, loss to Toronto and now Carolina. And I'm not even counting the loss against Buffalo, because they were hot at the time. That's 9 points right there. If we get 6 of those 9 back, we're tied with Boston and the game on Thursday would have been for 2nd seed.

So, no, not mad at this one game. They just locked up a playoff spot and very likely (and very rightfully) probably celebrated a bit. The reffing was a joke, and Anderson wasn't in #BeastMode. I'll tell you what -- if Neil plays like he did last night in the first round, we'll be fine. Those were exactly the kinds of hits that the NHL wants to leave *in* the game, so the refs that let those ones go are the ones who will get the playoff assignments.

Big Ev wrote:and that Alfie chant - talk about lame. Why tonight? Lame as lame gets. Alfie was probably pissed.

Apparently he heard something but didn't know what it was. Mendes told him to expect more of the same on Thursday.

And I don't think it's lame at all. Could become a tradition.

Big Ev wrote:Craig Anderson said the game was a playoff atmosphere????????? Correct me if I'm wrong but - hell no it wasn't!

That was the same tweet when he said #Neil was in #Beastmode (not sure why the hashtag for #Neil but whatever). In that respect, sure, that was #Neil's (there I go, doing it too) playoff snarliness.

wprager wrote:

Big Ev wrote:and that Alfie chant - talk about lame. Why tonight? Lame as lame gets. Alfie was probably pissed.

Apparently he heard something but didn't know what it was. Mendes told him to expect more of the same on Thursday.

And I don't think it's lame at all. Could become a tradition.

I don't know why it is considered lame. For SBP, which is usually pretty quiet and devoid of tradition, this was great. The first attempt in the 1st period was kinda quiet, but it really picked up steam in the 2nd and 3rd. It was fantastic.

Also, a bit of a letdown vs the Canes was expected after the emotional high of clinching a playoff spot. Also, Ward played really well, and the reffing was not very good. What was the deal with the called-off Neil goal? The replays we say in the building all made it look like a good goal.

Edit: Also surprised at all the negativity one game after we clinched a Cussing playoff spot. This is far from the end of the world, and we still have a couple games before the playoffs start. Let's not overreact.

If you want to see the Boychuk injury, it's around the 27 second mark. He goes to hit Asham at the Penguins' blue line and they knock knees together. He was set for the hit so his skates were dug in, and Asham's knee hit him on the outside and buckled his left knee to the inside. Knees aren't meant to do that. He limped out of the dressing room (so no crutches). Probably strained the MCL or ACL. If it's torn, he's
gone. Even if it's only a sprain, the way they took him off the ice my guess is his effectiveness (delivering hits and that big shot) will take a tumble for a few weeks.

Here's the moment of impact (the view from the rear would show the unnatural knee position better):

Frustrating game... our last two are against playoff teams - Boston and New Jersey, we should see a different team in those games.

Big Ev wrote:

Riprock wrote:

Hoags wrote:Gonna need another team meeting if they keep playing like this next 2 games.

Didn't you know? It's a meaningless game. The Sens shouldn't even have bothered playing, just forfeit the game. Fans could have saved money, we all could have not tuend in to watch - since the Sens weren't even going to show up.

You just don't get it.

No, I get it... I just wan't to make sure you get how stupid it sounds.

shabbs wrote:Frustrating game... our last two are against playoff teams - Boston and New Jersey, we should see a different team in those games.

Problem is, it is their job to play every game like ti is game 7. If Neil and Smith do it, why shouldn't everyone else? Afterall, a winning environment is the best thing for players development, and anyone who goes into a game with apathy doesn't belong in the game.

If some players would rather not play their hardest and save it for the playoffs, then take them out and put in some Bingo players who will play like they are earning a spot.

It's a disappointing loss when you think back to MacLean's and the team's comments about finishing the season strong.

Watching Carolina just slowly take over the game and Anderson totally giving up on that play by Skinner that EK had to bail him out, it's just sad to see that sort of thing with playoffs looming.

New Jersey clinched a spot but they're still winning.

Riprock wrote:

shabbs wrote:Frustrating game... our last two are against playoff teams - Boston and New Jersey, we should see a different team in those games.

Problem is, it is their job to play every game like ti is game 7. If Neil and Smith do it, why shouldn't everyone else? Afterall, a winning environment is the best thing for players development, and anyone who goes into a game with apathy doesn't belong in the game.

If some players would rather not play their hardest and save it for the playoffs, then take them out and put in some Bingo players who will play like they are earning a spot.

Meh, it kinda looked like a perfect storm scenario brewing going into last night, if you ask me. Clinched the playoffs the day before, facing your probable playoff opponent the next game, CAR coming off an embarrassing loss & looking to tighten up. Not unavoidable, but rather predictable.

As for playing every game like it's game 7, well, sure, that's the ideal -- but I don't think there's any player, let alone an entire team, that doesn't slip up now & then, in spite of individual & organizational desires. It's a long season. Let's just hope the Sens remember how hard they had to work to get to the playoffs, and to play every game they have there with that game 7 intensity.

Well, MacLean did say they were going to approach the last 7 games as a "best of 7" playoff series.

The won the first 4.

Sweep.

Series over.

Hoags wrote:It's a disappointing loss when you think back to MacLean's and the team's comments about finishing the season strong.

Watching Carolina just slowly take over the game and Anderson totally giving up on that play by Skinner that EK had to bail him out, it's just sad to see that sort of thing with playoffs looming.

New Jersey clinched a spot but they're still winning.

It's just weird. We played the Islanders and beat them 5-0 (that goal was kicked in, KICKED IN, I tell ya); then the Isles play the Devils and come up just short (3-1, but the last goal was an empty-netter). The Devils play Carolina and steam roll them by that "same" 5-0 score; then Carolina comes in and beats us in another close game. Carolina has Ward; the Islanders don't. Plus the Devils were playing a Division rival. And they didn't have problems with the refereeing. Plus, last I saw, we are still 4-1 in our last 5, same as the Devils.

rooneypoo wrote:Meh, it kinda looked like a perfect storm scenario brewing going into last night, if you ask me. Clinched the playoffs the day before, facing your probable playoff opponent the next game, CAR coming off an embarrassing loss & looking to tighten up. Not unavoidable, but rather predictable.

As for playing every game like it's game 7, well, sure, that's the ideal -- but I don't think there's any player, let alone an entire team, that doesn't slip up now & then, in spite of individual & organizational desires. It's a long season. Let's just hope the Sens remember how hard they had to work to get to the playoffs, and to play every game they have there with that game 7 intensity.

Yes, what Poo said. Sens Army needs to take a breath this morning. Obviously you want to build momentum heading into the playoffs, but we still have two tough games remaining to do that.