That cold, hard surface beneath the feet of the Ottawa Senators these days is something oddly familiar—rock bottom.
However, though mired in a six-game losing streak, there are signs that the team has finally hit the nadir, and is preparing for a strong rebound.
Despite the half-dozen losses the Sens have suffered over the past two weeks, the last two contained cause for optimism.
First, they both came against top teams in the East, the Habs and the Rangers—not exactly teams you feel bad about losing to.
Second, both were one-goal shootout losses where the Sens managed to take home a point. As much as I hate the loser point, those two games were examples of a situation where the losing team truly did deserve something (but I still would have preferred a tie).
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Finally, in both games it could be legitimately said that the Sens were the better team. Superb goaltending by Hendrik Lundqvist and Carey Price were the deciding factors. as the Sens out-chanced both the Rangers and the Habs.
The Sens could easily be on a two-game winning streak, had it not been for one of the worst calls I have seen yet this season by Don Van Massenhoven, and Antoine Vermette having hands of stone.
Ever since the shootout was added to the NHL, the Sens have been ridiculously brutal at the mini-game. Despite having some of the most-talented scorers in the league, they really are not one-on-one type players. They are one-timer, beautiful-passing-play, two-on-one type players—but not breakaway specialists.
This has clearly been an issue in the post-lockout world, as Sens have left dozens of points on the board due to their inability to score in the shootout.
However, despite the losses, the signs are there that a turn around is in the near future, and it should be noted that in 2006 the Sens started the season 7-11-1 (15 points) after 19 games and in 2008 are 6-9-4 (16 points) over the same number of games.
2006, of course, was the year the Sens went to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Although there are still many issues with this team, the extremely competitive and bunched-up Eastern Conference—the Sens are still only four points out of eighth and eight points out of fifth—ensures that the season is a long way from over.
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about 1 month ago
Yeah, I totally agree I think it's time the Senators do something serious.
But like you say, it's a pretty wide open Eastern Conference, so who knows right.
My Hockey News came in the mail today and there was a letter to the editor in there that if you haven't yet seen may interest you. Someone describes how this year's Ottawa Senators are like last year's Tampa Bay Lightning.
Interesting read to say the least.
about 1 month ago
My "what to do" thoughts are planned for another article but suffice it to say the man in the photo is #1 on the list.
In many ways I think the Sens injury woes are a blessing in disguise as it is giving Murray a glimpse of some of the younger players who can fill in for some of the expensive veterans, making them expendable.
about 1 month ago
The Sens problems remind me of the Lightning and Anaheim. But there is still time to turn it around. They've got the talent...But their problem is not there. Other teams are now aware of who to look for, who is dangerous, who can hit and their playing style.
They need to refresh and start over. Not necessarily by trading their players but a complete change in philosophy and style would help a lot. The Lightning had the same problem and Anaheim is starting to experience it as well. Dominant teams will stay dominant only for so long unless they now how to keep the other teams guessing. When you keep using the same guys in the same situations other teams will learn your patern...and eventually the teams will focus on your weeknesses and exploit them.
from about 1 month ago
What's interesting though is that lately the Sens "weakness" -- goaltending and defence -- has been their strength, it has been their scoring that has let them down.
That is actually what gives me hope because if they are improving in their weak spots you have to figure their strengths will come around sooner or later.
That said this team needs a couple of moves -- nothing crazy like trading Spezza or anything -- to refocus and shore up some of their weak points.
The injury call-ups, Bass, Zubov and Bell have all looked great and my thinking is that they are giving Murray some more room to manoeuvre on the trade front.
about 1 month ago
The prophecy is fulfilled!
Sens 4 Rangers 1 and the game was an utter domination!
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