First, sorry for the absence. Two days away from the keyboard may seem long but I assure you it went by in a flash for me. Life happens. As it is, I wanted to share my take on the Sens-Sharks game of Tuesday, and a little forecasting for tonight game against the Kings.

Yes, the Sens did lose 5-2, being severely outclassed by the Sharks. I see the Senators as a team that is still trying to find its pace and its games. It's damned close and you can see brilliant hockey in there. I just think some parts still need a little "chemistry" or something, especially against a powerhouse like the Sharks.

Yes, Anton Volchenkov was rusty and did cost the team some goals. That's temporary.



What I retain from the game is that, when the great Dany Heatley - Milan Michalek matchup came to pass, Michalek scored two, and Heatley scored none. Sure, purists will say that heatley racked up two assists. But you can't say that Heatley was denied the attempts. The Thornton-Heatley-Marleau line played in the Sens end with ridiculous ease. But when it comes to goals, Michalek was there, and Heatley missed out.

The other big item is Brian Elliott's first truly soft goal. The Clowe shot that somehow found a hole on Elliott is, I'm sure, the one he'd like to get back. The most fragile thing in a goaltender is confidence. Elliott was solid before the Sharks game and he can't afford to dwell on that goal. They will happen. I take heart in the fact that Elliott showed some good stuff in the 3rd period, so I think he's okay. Tonight's game against the Kings will tell.

Speaking of which, the Kings game is another tough one for the Sens. The Sens are in an uncortably close 6th place in the Conference. The Kings are solid in fourth with a little more breathing room. They are coming off a win, are looking for more, and have owned the Sens up to now. They face the scoring power of Anze Kopitar. Although his pace has slowed recently, you know the potential is there for Kopitar to rack up numbers. It is likely the Kings will feel the continued absence of Ryan Smyth. The Elliott-Quick matchup should be a good with bith goalies sporting roughly the same numbers.

GO SENS GO!!