GDT: Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators - 2PM - TSN5/RDS - Kitty Kats Katerwauling in Kanata - Ain't No Tkachuks Edition

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Both Fla and Tbay are better teams than we are, so they'll push back and should get the better if the play on average. Add in score effect, and it explains a good chunk of why the chances look the way the did in both cases after we took the lead.

Yes, they were missing some good players, but missing Tkachuk and getting the LTIR and Ekblad being suspended (and for some reason not counting against the cap) is the only reason they were able to add Marchand and Jones, a downgrade sure but there's no reason to show any empathy to them missing key players.

Also TB is entirely healthy.

 

[armani]

He will become a UFA this summer.

Yeah Zetterlund is a keeper. No reason to f*** around, just sign him to a fair deal as the team will benefit from his play. He has had no numbers to show for the good 2-way hockey, the goals will come.

 

[Hotsam Batcho]

 

[aragorn]

Fewer shots against. Fewer high danger chances against. More shots for. More pass completions. More offensive zone time.

What, we can't improve on this performance?

Of course they can & they will, but more importantly they kept the puck out of their net & won with a three goal lead. If they win a playoff round or Conference title that way will it be tainted or celebrated?

 

[SanderSen]

Tkachuk is the only guy that might not be ready but I have a feeling he will be.

I am fine if he is shut down for the rest of the regular season until the last game. The last game is just to get the wheels moving.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

It would need to be a 1 year "show me" deal, but I would actually love to bring Forsberg back as our #2 next year.

He is comfortable and well-liked here and putting up another good season behind a 55-ish game starter next year could set him up for a legit UFA contract.

I think we’re too tight with cap space to do anything other than leage min for our back up.

 

[NyQuil]

Of course they can & they will, but more importantly they kept the puck out of their net & won with a three goal lead. If they win a playoff round or Conference title that way will it be tainted or celebrated?

It’s pretty hard to win 4 games this way.

 

[aragorn]

It’s pretty hard to win 4 games this way.

Why would we think they will play this way in every game, anything can happen & clearly the Leafs don't play the same way as the Panthers do, the Leafs are a softer team. If we play as good defensively hopefully we can keep them off the score board more often than they stop us.

 

[Answer]

Twice back to back wins being completely outplayed and outclassed

Lets just keep riding this luck for as long it lasts.

Funny thing is we even get outplayed and outclassed by Teams like Montreal (x3), Buffalo (x2) and Detroit (x2) - although we were super lucky to win both against Detroit

 

[Burrowsaurus]

Both Fla and Tbay are better teams than we are, so they'll push back and should get the better if the play on average. Add in score effect, and it explains a good chunk of why the chances look the way the did in both cases after we took the lead.

Yes, they were missing some good players, but missing Tkachuk and getting the LTIR and Ekblad being suspended (and for some reason not counting against the cap) is the only reason they were able to add Marchand and Jones, a downgrade sure but there's no reason to show any empathy to them missing key players.

K there’s score effects and then there what we did in the second and third

 

[Senscore]

I am fine if he is shut down for the rest of the regular season until the last game. The last game is just to get the wheels moving.

I mean Florida Tkachuk

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

I don't know if there's any way of giving him a two-way at this point.

He wouldn't take a two-way, but I'd be happy with him around $1.25m. I could potentially go higher depending on what other business (i.e. Giroux, Zetterlund, Kleven, maybe Matinpalo and Cousins) we've taken care of before FA

I think we’re too tight with cap space to do anything other than leage min for our back up.

I think we have a bit more room than that but he would need to really value the fit. He's been here a while and I think it's a pretty good situation for him... we'll see if that will be enough.

 

[DueDiligence]

Why would we think they will play this way in every game, anything can happen & clearly the Leafs don't play the same way as the Panthers do, the Leafs are a softer team. If we play as good defensively hopefully we can keep them off the score board more often than they stop us.

The Panthers play a heavy aggressive game and are built for playoff hockey. The Leafs , although better this year, play glorified pond hockey and their star players are not "in your face" types. I like the Sens playoff chances against the Leafs much more than either the Panthers or Tbay.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Twice back to back wins being completely outplayed and outclassed

Lets just keep riding this luck for as long it lasts.

Funny thing is we even get outplayed and outclassed by Teams like Montreal (x3), Buffalo (x2) and Detroit (x2) - although we were super lucky to win both against Detroit

We were outplayed once by Detroit and our overall play against the Habs were even, they just scored more. We were never outplayed by Buffalo at all this year, they were just extremely opportunistic with their chances. I do agree it's concerning we got outplayed by the Florida teams.

 

[albator71]

It’s pretty hard to win 4 games this way.

What should be our expectation going into the playoffs really? Personally the goal this season was making the playoffs and mission accomplish so for me anyway as long as we don't get swept in the 1st round I would be okay with that. Let's not forget this their first taste of playoff hockey for the majority of our core.

 

[NyQuil]

What should be our expectation going into the playoffs really? Personally the goal this season was making the playoffs and mission accomplish so for me anyway as long as we don't get swept in the 1st round I would be okay with that. Let's not forget this their first taste of playoff hockey for the majority of our core.

I’d like to win a home playoff game.

 

[DueDiligence]

Twice back to back wins being completely outplayed and outclassed

Lets just keep riding this luck for as long it lasts.

Funny thing is we even get outplayed and outclassed by Teams like Montreal (x3), Buffalo (x2) and Detroit (x2) - although we were super lucky to win both against Detroit

The Sens need a healthy Brady Tkachuk to compete. Overall the Sens get pushed around and lose too many 1 on 1 physical battles. BT is the one guy who never gets dominated physically and the team gets their lead from him.

 

[starling]

3-headed monster

 

[DrEasy]

Couple of thoughts:

- We're trading some of the moral victories of the past couple of years for shameful ones; good trade-off! Better goaltending being a major factor obviously.

- Seems like since Norris' injury and subsequent trade our shot suppression has gone down the toilet (this is eye test only, not sure about actual numbers).

- Since Crookshank's recall I find the 4th line has played with a little more energy than usual.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

3-headed monster

View attachment 1006953

The goaltending has been so deep during the second half of the season.

I thought Forsberg was done after the double leg injury, so it's cool to see him find his form.

It's a huge point of confidence right now that we could play any of the three of them and not be worried.

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

I don't care if they get outplayed if they consistently find ways to win games that they get outplayed in. That's what they've been doing.

 

[DrEasy]

I *think* we denied both Florida teams the opportunity to clinch the playoffs by playing and beating us (or getting a point at least). The Lightning have clinched since, but they didn't get to celebrate on our ice.

 

[Big Muddy]

Forsberg is not getting enough credit around here for how well he is playing the last few months. He has been a top end backup in 2025. His start to the season was terrible, but since January he has been very good.

Picking a scapegoat and piling on every chance you get constitutes analysis & fandom for some it seems.

 

[Big Muddy]

It's pretty easy.

View attachment 1006881

Thought I heard that Forsberg had the least goal support in the league. 4 of your highlighted games we scored 0 goals. The other 18 players on the ice often have something to do with losses you’d think. Moot point I suppose if Merilainen plays backup next year. We’ll need some new scapegoats then I suppose.

 

[BoardsofCanada]

Florida is the defending champs for a reason. I was in awe of their attack today; they came at us in waves. If Ottawa wants to be a serious contender, that's the level they have to reach. Thanks to Forsberg, we stole 2 points.

I think a game like today is great preparation for the Sens. This is what they'll be facing in the playoffs. Hopefully they rise to the occasion.