Baby steps
Loud cheers and celebration in the press today for the Senators. Okay, fine, I don't mind one bit. As long as the press is not forcing decisions on the team - like firing Cory Clouston for example, or trading Chris Phillips for a bag of pucks. The Senators have earned themselves a reprieve.
I was also impressed by the level of dedication and the amount of fighting spirit, especially in Kelly, Nick Foligno, and the undeniable MVP of the game Jesse Winchester. Winning battles and not giving up was rewarded with rubber in the twine for both. The formation of Ryan Shannon, Foligno, and new arrival Corey Locke was a constant threat, and Locke managed to pick up his first point in his first game.
On the back end, I was not overly impressed with some of the defense, nor with Robin Lehner who was merely okay in my book. After all, four goals on 24 shots is nothing to crow about - a .833 save percentage. I especially don't like the way Lehner overcommits on his sideways transition, slipping way out of his crease and leaving the net a yawning chasm. NHL pros will make him pay for this.
Filip Kuba was very weak, especially on Milan Jurcina's goal. Kuba had John Tavares along the board and could have given him the old "bee sting" to separate him from the puck. But no, Kuba displays little phisicality. As a result, Tavares swung around the net, found Jurcina at the point, and the puck was in. Kuba has been very very weak of late, and he should sit out a few games.
It was nevertheless a step in the right direction, and a renewed interest in offensive. The best defense is a good offense I always say, and the Senators proved it against the Isles. But let's be frank here: it was the Islanders. The 29th team in the NHL standings. Let's repeat that against the 25th place Flames, then the 8th place Caps. Then we'll talk.
GO SENS GO!!
I was also impressed by the level of dedication and the amount of fighting spirit, especially in Kelly, Nick Foligno, and the undeniable MVP of the game Jesse Winchester. Winning battles and not giving up was rewarded with rubber in the twine for both. The formation of Ryan Shannon, Foligno, and new arrival Corey Locke was a constant threat, and Locke managed to pick up his first point in his first game.
On the back end, I was not overly impressed with some of the defense, nor with Robin Lehner who was merely okay in my book. After all, four goals on 24 shots is nothing to crow about - a .833 save percentage. I especially don't like the way Lehner overcommits on his sideways transition, slipping way out of his crease and leaving the net a yawning chasm. NHL pros will make him pay for this.
Filip Kuba was very weak, especially on Milan Jurcina's goal. Kuba had John Tavares along the board and could have given him the old "bee sting" to separate him from the puck. But no, Kuba displays little phisicality. As a result, Tavares swung around the net, found Jurcina at the point, and the puck was in. Kuba has been very very weak of late, and he should sit out a few games.
It was nevertheless a step in the right direction, and a renewed interest in offensive. The best defense is a good offense I always say, and the Senators proved it against the Isles. But let's be frank here: it was the Islanders. The 29th team in the NHL standings. Let's repeat that against the 25th place Flames, then the 8th place Caps. Then we'll talk.
GO SENS GO!!
Posted by Zamboni at 1/14/2011 1:06 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Ottawa Senators New York Islanders Chris Phillips Matt Carkner Chris Kelly Milan Michalek Mike Fisher Daniel Alfredsson Jesse Winchester Robin Lehner Filip Kuba Nick Foligno Ryan Shannon Corey Locke Cory Clouston
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Ottawa Senators New York Islanders Chris Phillips Matt Carkner Chris Kelly Milan Michalek Mike Fisher Daniel Alfredsson Jesse Winchester Robin Lehner Filip Kuba Nick Foligno Ryan Shannon Corey Locke Cory Clouston
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