Many a Senators fan reviles Martin Gerber. True, many did not see him play up to his potential. But many a goaltender out there will tell you that Gerber is one of the solidest goalies out there when it comes to fundamentals. And while not usually spectacular, he does have some quick pads.

Gerber was plagued with letting in softies during his tenure with the Senators. He also suffered from a lack of confidence from the coaching staff. Hired to be a number one goalie, he spent most of his career with the Sens warming up the bench. Others with more egotistical personalities (read Ray Emery) would have screamed at the unfairness. Gerber was nothing but a gentleman in front of the press throughout this ordeal.

His only comment regarding his dissatisfaction with the situation was expressed in his choice of masks. While Gerber did have a fully painted and decorated goalie mask, he chose to wear a plain black one for a long time, an expression of his feelings of estrangement from the team. The mask earned him the well deserved nickname of "Darth Gerber".

Gerber was nevertheless a consumate professional and had some luminary moments. To wit, this 5-on-3 stretch against the New York Rangers with one of the most potents PK units at the time: Anton Volchenkov, Chris Phillips, and underrated Antoine Vermette, likely one of the best pivot men the Sens have ever had. This against a who's who of scoring: Brendan Shanahan, Jaromir Jagr, and Scott Gomez.

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do.

The crazy contract has been approved, and I bet you anything this will open the floodgates if the league isn't very very careful.



Ilya Kovaluchuk saw his $100 million 15-year deal approved by the NHL on condition that the NHLPA agree to sit down and negotiate a set of rules for long term contracts.

Kovalchuk's contract is not the first long-term one. Islanders Rick Di Pietro inked a similar 15-year deal in 2006. But Di Pietro is a goalie, while Kovalchuk is a goal scorer. At 27 years old, Kovalchuk will only see the end of his contract in 2025 when he is 42 years old, well past the time where the large majority of hocket players are still productive. It is even possible that he will be retired and still being paid an NHL salary.

This is where the NHL has, I think, a valid beef. These long-term contracts are just a way of bypassing the salary cap. The contracts are front-loaded with money, and back-ended with minimum salaries. Because the cap allows teams to average out the cost of a contract over it's life, the Devils can thus pay Kovalchuk some $9 million a season and only suffer a cap hit of $6.7 million.

I think owners are mortgaging the future of their teams for payment today. What will happen to future GMs who are hamstrung with backend salary cap hits for players who may be retired by that time. The future will tell. I just hope Gary Bettman has the gumption to keep the owners in place. These long-term contracts could be ruinous for the League.

The Senators have had a Russian on the blue line since the arrival of Anton Volchenkov in the 2002-03 season. The A-Train soon gained favour with the fans for his hard hitting style and his shot blocking ability, quickly gardnering the moniker of "Human Shield". Volchenkov, many will agree, was a defenceman's defenceman.



But he wasn't much of a puck mover, and not much of a threat offensively.

Enter Sergei Gonchar, the new Russian on the blue line. Gonchar comes to Ottawa with great numbers. Since the 2000-01 season, Gonchar has led the league's defencemen in goals scored and is second only to the great Nickals Lidstrom in assists and points. On paper, he gives the Senators a potent offensive capability. At $5.3 million per season for the next three years, Gonchar is not cheap, but is a great asset if his numbers stay up.

That's "IF" his numbers stay up. The Senators have the bad habit of picking up "has beens" for the past few years. Witness Martin Gerber, Mike Commodore, Dominik Hasek, and the list continues. While we're at it, Pascal Leclaire and Alex Kovalev are still question marks and could easily wind up on the same list.

Let's not forget that Gonchar suffered a dislocated shoulder for which he had to undego arthroscopic surgery, that he had a torn MCL in the 2008-909 season, and that he missed 20 games due to injuries last season. This didn;t prevent him from passing the 50-point mark once again, but still.

While I entirely agree with Bryan Murray that "it's time for other teams to stop pucks" and enthusiastically look forward to seeing Gonchar in action with the Sens, I will hold my judgment on the quality of this acqusition until I see proof of its merits.

After 130 days of silence, I'm back at the keyboard, finally excited by a piece of really big news. Nope it's not the signing of Sergei Gonchar (although we'll talk about that later). Nope, it's not the buy-out of Jonathan Cheechoo's contract (although we'll talk about that later). Nope it's not the loss of Anton Volchenkov, Matt Cullen and Andy Sutton (although we'll talk about that later).

No the big news was the quiet announcement Tuesday that, for the first time ever, all 82 regular season games of the Ottawa Senators will be broadcast. That my friends, is decisively momentous news. While I support the team as much as I can with my hard-earned dollars going toward game tickets, I have a hard time justifying spending those dollars on a constant basis, especially with Mrs. Zamboni.

Therefore, the news that all 82 games would be available to view from the "best seat in the house" was welcome indeed. Does that mean I'm going to stop going to the games? Of course not. There's an atmosphere at the games that is irreplaceable. I come out of my seat and scream myself hoarse every time the Sens score at a live game, whereas a semi-energetic fist pump may be the extent of the emotional display from my living room couch.

What it means is that I won't be "forced" to buy tickets to games I may not necessarily want to see live, and I won't be forced to spend hours searching for a Web broadcast for those away games not deemed important enough for rapid Sens fans. It seems that the Senators organization has finally realized that, as far as the rabid fan is concerned, ALL the games are important.

Strange how events conspired to keep me away from the blog, as if Fate wanted me to  mourn for abot, this loss of the Senators in the first round of the playoffs. Not that the fall wasn't prgnosticated by just about everyone.



Except yours truly of course. I really thought they could pull it together. And strangely they did for a while there. At the beginning of Game 6, it was truly a Senators team that took to the ice. Beautiful plays compelted by a teammate without fail: Daniel Alfredsson's beautiful pass to Matt Cullen for the game opener, Chris Kelly's effort batted in by Chris Neil, Matt Cullen's payback pass to Alfie for the third. Every thing seemed to click, to work for the Sens.

Until the some ghost came a-haunting. The old "let's sit back on our lead" ghost. The old "let's see what they can do" ghost, the "let's play our defensive game" ghost, and the "let in a weak one" ghost. Every single problem that haunted the Sens seemed to come back in a microcosm in that third period and in the overtime. The writing was on the wall and I grew more and more nervous as the game went on and I saw the symptoms, until the inevitable happened. Tentative, sitting on their heels, the Sens let in a weak one.

Make no mistake, the Senators did have the tools to win this series and likely the next as well. They did not have the tools to go all the way of course. Not bad overall, considering some people slated the Senators not even making the playoffs. I rest on the fact that, for the last two times the Senators made the playoffs, they lost to the eventual Stanley Cup winner.

The Senators actually played well overall, concentrating on the attack and bringing the game to the Penguins. There were just a few "ifs" in the way...



If the Senators had better goaltending, they could have won Game 4. But Brian Elliott let in four goals on 19 shots, and Pascal Leclaire allowed three goals on 23 shots. Leclaire's performance is below the .900 level, Elliot's below the .800 level. You can't win with that kind of backstopping. I strongly urge Cory Clouston to call up Mike Brodeur from the Bingo.

If Jason Spezza didn't try for the forced play, the Senators might have won  the game. But he insists on blind passes, and passing when he should dump the puck. Sadly, Spezza can be credited with at least one assist on a Penguins goal last night.

If there was better officiating, the Senators might have had a chance. But the referees saw fit to call the Penguins' dives penalties, and to ignore a clear delay of game when both a referee and a linesman were staring straight at the puck.

My Mom used to say:  "Avec des 'si', on peut acheter Paris". Translated: "With enough 'ifs', you can buy Paris". I guess Mom was right.

Worse than that though, even Scotiabank Place turned against the Senators, with one of the panes of glass letting go at the wrong time, killing the momentum the Senators had accumulated, and allowing the Penguiins to settle down and score a back-breaker.

When all this happens on the same night, you might start thinkinh you're cursed. Call the Juju Man, we need to break the hex.

It goes without saying that game 4 is a "must-win" game. The Senators have to tie the series 2-2 before heading back to Pittsburgh or face a huge uphill battle. How can it be done? What have the Senators not done that they can try? Ask any infantry general: coming at the enemy's defenses in a way that is anticipated is a losing strategy. Surprise is the key, and there are a few things the Senators can do.



The Senators will have to rely heavily on coach Cory Clouston, and he in turn must have a few surprises up his sleeve for the Penguins. I would highly recommend an overall offensive strategy, but with rolling tactics. Here's what I mean.

Line changes

Clouston mentioned he would switch lines and that he did have Shawn Donovan and Jonathan Cheechoo available to play. Blogger Marty9 at HFBoards , suggested the following line-ups for tonight, which make a heck of a lot of sense.

        Cullen - Spezza - Regin
            Combine the struggling Spezza with the two best players thus far to revive him.
        Foligno - Fisher - Alfredsson
            Play against Crosby, either Fisher/Alfie shadow him AT ALL TIMES
        Ruutu - Kelly - Neil
            Play against Malkin's line, hopefully they can create any kind of offense in game 4
        Smith - Winchester - Donovan
            Hard line to play against, it has speed, can cycle and crash the net.

I agree with almost all these changes except one. I would skip on Donovan and insert Cheechoo. The main reason being that Cheechoo and Zack Smith have played together on the same line in Binghamton since February and have been pretty good together. They know each other's playing style and that kind of pre-existing chemistry is worth a lot.

Dump, chase and crash, but...
The Penguins have been doing a good job of denying the blue line to the Senators. The answer is to dump and chase as much as possible, and bring hard checks to the Pens D-men, forcing them to make rushed plays. The Senators need to live on offensive turnovers, and crash the net. Let's face it, Marc-André Fleury hasn't been that hot with a .882 save percentage. Let's shoot the puck more often and hunt the rebounds.

Once the Penguins are used to the dump and chase, switch tactics on them, and carry or pass the puck in. Or switch to a chip and chase style. What matters is that the Penguins must be reacting to the Senators offensive, and not know what's coming. Keeping them guessing is the key.

What the Senators will need
This is obviously an all-out offensive strategy by the Senators, which will leave the defense dangling a bit. What the Senators will need some solid defense. I'm not worried about the A-Train/Big Rig combo, but we do need a solid two-way game from Erik Karlsson, some very physical play by Andy Sutton, and an A+ game from Brian Elliott. With these pieces in place, I'll be happy with status quo from Carkner and Campoli. Without this, the Senators success on the offense can be offset by their failures on defense.

But there are no two ways about it. In a situation where the goal is a must-win to tie the series, risks must be taken to put the puck behind Fleury.

GO SENS GO!!

Most of Ottawa Senators fans have an ongoing love/hate relationship with Sidney Crosby. The kid hails from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, and it's kind of hard to get any more Canadian than that (although people from Flin Flon, and Moose Jaw may have something to say about that).



We Canadians are always proud of a Canadian kid who makes good, even if it's for an American team. When it comes time to flying the flag, as in the recent Olympics, Sid the Kid came through large for his country by netting the gold medal winning goal. As hockey fanatics, we apprecieate the talent and perseverance that he displayed.

I, of course, lament the system that allows such great hockey talent to go compete in the US. I lament the fact that Crosby is in Pittsburgh, that Martin Brodeur is in New Jersey. The best of the best have nearly always played for American teams: Bobby Orr and Mario Lemieux being prime examples. Even the new talent is South of the border: Steve Stamkos, and Patrick Sharp, and John Tavares, and Matt Duchene, and Drew Doughty. The list goes on and on. I lament that only 20% of the teams in the league are Canadian, with an NHL all to willing to pander to the American dollar instead of to the grass roots fan base in Canada. But I digress.

The real problem is when the Penguins face the Senators, it's a different story. Then Sid becomes the enemy as he takes on our home-town heroes, and the decision to hate Sidney Crosby comes hard, but comes nonetheless: it's emotional and visceral. With grudging admiration for his skills and tenacity, we nonetheless rage at the fact that, sans Crosby, the Penguins would be trailing the series by now. His talent is such that we wish Andy Sutton or Anton Volchenkov would do something about it, and plaster him but good.

But not too much. He is, after all, Sid the Kid. We'll need him for the next Olympics.

You could see the frustration in the Senators play. You strike as often as possible, yet the bounces don't go your way, and the opponents manage to make something out of their bounces, seemingly with ease.  Sometimes, luck is a nasty thing. But the Penguins also managed to turn the tables on the Senators, upping their defensive play, waiting for their opportunities, and capitalizing on them.



There is little to complain about yesterday's game. The Senators, when required to, pressed hard and did what they had to do. That they were cheated again and again by bouncing pucks and, let's admit it, dubious officiating must have been frustrating as hell on the ice. I know it was frustrating from where I sat.

But there are a few things that the Senators must get done in Game 4 in order to head back to Pittsburgh on an even keel.

The Crosby factor

There are only two ways for the Senators to minimize the impact of the Kid (because it can't be eliminated). Play Anton Volchenkov and Chris Phillips against him, or when Sid has the puck, check him. That was the mistake Andy Sutton made that led to the Pens' third goal. He tried to get the puck before Sid. The lad's a magician with a hockey stick, Andy. Do what you do best: take out the man.

The Spezza factor

I won't be too too hard on Jason Spezza, the Penguins' defence has been doing a good job of shutting him down. But Jason, the blind passes have  to stop. A dump in behind the net is preferable, or even a dubious shot on net. Unless you absolutely, for sure, definitely, positively know that there is a Sens stick behind you, then don't do the blind pass. And of course, you can't know for sure because it's not a stock play. So forget the blind passes.

The penalty factor

Yes, you are frustrated. Yes, you are losing the game. No, it's not a reason to take penalties. You can say whatever you like, eight penalties is way too many. The nail in the coffin for the Senators came on a Penguins power play. Again, while zero is an unrealistic goal, it should be the goal.

Meanwhile, both Senators goals came on the power play. This is not a fluke. The Senators power play is as good as the Penguins' power play, if not better right now. The Senators scored twice on six opportunities in the last game. They have scored four on thirteen tries in the series. That means that for every three penalties, the Sens score once. May as well use it.

In the end, but for a few lucky bounces, the game could again have gone either way. That means the Senators are a match for the reigning Stanley Cup champions. After all, the Sens and Pens did split their regular season match-ups. The Sens should hold their heads high, forget this frustrating game, and go get the next one.

Game 2 went pretty much as anticipated. It is surprising to see that the Senators almost managed to capitalize on the Penguins "stress" level and take a commanding lead in the series. It was that close.



Any fan who doesn't think one man can make a difference had their mind changed last night by the performance of Sidney Crosby. The Kid single-handedly saved the Penguins bacon by scoring the first goal, preventing the Senators go-ahead goal, and by sheer determination, setting up the winning goal. I hate to give him the credit, but I have to. Without Crosby, the Pens would have been in a 2-0 series hole.

Which is why I'm only midly disappointed as the Senators' loss last night. No they didn't come out with the intensity they displayed in the first series game, but that was anticipated. I think coach Cory Clouston wants the Senators to keep taking the series lead, and extend the series as long as possible.

Why? Because for the Penguins, coming from behind is a stressful and draining experience. In short, it tires them. The Senators played at a more lackadaisaical pace last night and are conserving more energy than are the Penguins. The Penguins left everything on the ice, whereas I don't think the Sens did, and have a little more left in the tank. I think that Clouston's strategy is to outlast the Pens. And it's a strategy that may well work.

What I liked

The 4th line incorporating Ryan Shannon did good work and will likely be rewarded with more ice time. Brian Elliott has gotten rid of his first game jitters. He was good last night, and downright great at some times. He played his smart positional game again and frustrated the Penguins quite a bit.

I also liked the physical play. Sure, Andy Sutton's hit on Jordan Leopold was not comfortable to watch. I didn't like the way Leopold looked like a thrown rag doll. Uncomfortable as it was to watch, this is indeed the type of punishment that the Senators have to give the Penguins.

The Senators were also a little more disciplined although Sutton garnered two penalties by himself. While it's a little much to ask for no penalties, it should be the goal.

What I don't like

The top line has to find a way to produce more. It's surprising that of the three players on that line, only Peter Regin has managed to find the back of the net. Jason Spezza has got to stop the blind back passes. Blind back passes in the playoffs are a risk/reward chance that you can't afford to take. Even the Penguins' blind back passes fail miserably, and those types of giveaways can literally become scoring chances.

The new second line with Nick Foligno, joining Mike Fisher and Matt Cullen wasn't as effective as I expected it to be, but they need to gel together first. Regrettably, they don't have much time. Let's hope they click very soon.

You'll note there's not much to gripe about. Nope, the game plan unfolds pretty much according to plan

On to another split at home.