Sens: 3 wins, 4 losses last 7 games

[DarkStar50 679]

Just checking the Sens record: Boston loss 3-0, Kings win 5-1, Panthers win 6-3, Canucks SO loss 3-2, Flames OT loss 2-1, Avs win 6-2, Stars loss 2-0. They seem to be in a mini slump. The West teams are showing them some edge they may not be used to playing against. I understand they have some injuries. All teams will at some point in the season. However, they do seem to have lost a bit of the jump in their legs and game. Coach Murray has that look from the old days when some of his former teams weren't going so good. Chara is a monster but is he seeing too much ice time? The top line is amazing but if they don't score how reliable are the other 9 forwards? And finally, when is Chris Neil going to get his nose flattened by someone's mitt?

I know you Sens fanatics out there are dying to answer these ? and have other thoughts. Jump in!!

[beaucoup_fish 0]

The western teams are obviously getting up to play these guys, and using their matches as a measuring stick for where they stand with regards to the rest of the league. Shutdown lines have been big for the western teams against Ottawa, and the Sedins with their third brother Anson readily come to mind (another big night for the Sedinsx3 tonite!). The defensive core on Calgary, Dallas and Vancouver are also better than those of many eastern teams...

Depth-wise, I think the loss of Havlat hurts, but Chris Neil and some of the other lesser lights on the team have picked up the slack on most of the top-line's off nights. If what you're saying about them losing a bit of jump is true - well, it's about damn time, b/c they can't go on scoring 6 goals a game, every game.

[Adam91 0]

The Sens faced to very tough teams back to back in Vancouver and Calgary. Boston I have no explanation for and with the Stars playing last night I have no explanation for either.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

The Sens faced to very tough teams back to back in Vancouver and Calgary. Boston I have no explanation for and with the Stars playing last night I have no explanation for either.

I think, finally, the Stars are an underrated team, with a good coach in Dave T.

Back to back games is no excuse. Ottawa has had an easy schedule all year with days off like crazy. They should have the freshest legs out there, while I could totally understand the Kings and Rangers having a bit of weariness...

[Eazy_b97 1]

It is a number of things. With the heavy confrence play teams like Toronto and Montreal don't pose as much opposition because they know their is another game in a week. The Western confrence teams have something to prove here. Injuries are a killer, Redden is their man on D and having him injured hurts. Havlat takes away alot of their secondary scoring and Spezza's been fighting an injury as well. They were bound to go in a "Slump" (if we can even call it that), and this is the most likely time for it to happen.

[beaucoup_fish 0]

It is a number of things. With the heavy confrence play teams like Toronto and Montreal don't pose as much opposition because they know their is another game in a week. The Western confrence teams have something to prove here. Injuries are a killer, Redden is their man on D and having him injured hurts. Havlat takes away alot of their secondary scoring and Spezza's been fighting an injury as well. They were bound to go in a "Slump" (if we can even call it that), and this is the most likely time for it to happen.

Wow, if this "there's another game agains these guys next week - let's not try," attitude like you think, the Leafs are in some deep $hit come playoff time...

[Eazy_b97 1]

If not a "lets not try attitude", but there definately hasn't been the rivalry that some expected from this. The previous years when Toronto played the Habs, Sens, even the Sabres and Boston, there was alot more "hype" and "anamosity" coming into the games. Now they know their is another game coming up the rear so it's for 2 points rather than 2 points and pride.

[DarkStar50 679]

I think Ottawa should take the games against the Western teams as a method for them to measure themselves, not the other way around. I'm not disagreeing with the guys posting it the other way. Flames, Nucks, Stars all brought their A game for Sens. Sens kind of threw their sticks on the ice instead of their guts. I definitely go with some of those 4,5,6 man D units from the West over Sens, too. I said it a month ago and I still like what I see out West. Now before we bury the Sens, just kidding, they did pick up 8 out of 14 points in these 7 games. So they are maintaining pace points wise. I just see some red flags going up though when the Sens are playing the rough and tumble Western boys.

I also agree the Stars have come a long way fast in this season. Turco is still an underated goalie. His playoffs are another story but so far he is solid between the pipes. Their D is steady and Zubov is Mr Calm with the puck. I take back from the first two weeks my thoughts that Modo was in trouble. He is flying again and with Jere having 17 goals already, jeez!! They have an excellent core of forwards to spread out the scoring. Finally, they have the best color man in the game, Razor Reaugh. As he said tonight about the Stars second goal, "That was no oil painting. It was not a masterpiece." But that second goal took any life out of the Sens chances tonight. BTW, I did see the 3rd period Avs/Sens when the Sens turned on the faucet and 4 goals came gushing out in the third period. I know what they can do. They just aren't doing it as easily as they did a few weeks ago.

[DarkStar50 679]

If not a "lets not try attitude", but there definately hasn't been the rivalry that some expected from this. The previous years when Toronto played the Habs, Sens, even the Sabres and Boston, there was alot more "hype" and "anamosity" coming into the games. Now they know their is another game coming up the rear so it's for 2 points rather than 2 points and pride.

Funny but when its Nucks/Flames, Oilers/Flames, Oilers/Nucks, Avs/Nucks, Avs/Flames, Avs/Oilers, those teams leave everything on the ice each game, no matter how soon the next matchup is. Sens might want to get some attitude to go with their game. I know the blow out games + attitude doesn't look good but when they start playing for free(no pay during playoffs), they might want to have the attitude idea established before they leave the locker room.

[Eazy_b97 1]

I have noticed that watching the West games. It seems like everyone in the West has to work to get to the playoffs, where everyone in the East is hoping to coast in so they can go from there.