GDT: Game 53: Columbus vs. Ottawa | 1/28 7PM EST

[Nordique]

Sens fan here just saying that while many of you here are down on your team, and I haven't read any comments other than the ones on this page, that is a pretty good team that you have there. In a lot of ways, a more complete team. Granted I don't watch them, ever, so I was genuinely interested in their play.

A hard checking team with many big hits...Cowen absorbed a lot of big ones, in fact our defense did all night. That is a team that is playing for their coach, is my impression. Turris got crushed in the 1st. I like the youth in Johansen, Atkinsonm Calvert, Jenner, etc... you can see a good youth core there.

I mean the refs did mess a few up. Obviously the diving call on Zibanejad was comical, but the Johnson penalty was iffy, even the one that rocked Neil, but we had some bad calls too. Right after Ottawa scored to make it 3-2 refs let a few go on Columbus, but we all know how the refs are there to manufacture a game, which is why we have so many 3 point games.

I would rather a penalty be called like the one they did on Horton, where it could lean to a scoring opportunity, instead of the one your player took 200ft away from his net, really no threat there to anyone. Can go on all day on refs!

Anyways, it will be tough down the stretch, but Columbus, to me, looks like a playoff team. Good luck

I enjoyed the game, though I hate to drop our 3rd in as many. Ottawa played a strong game, Anderson was sharp, the better goalie got the win in what I saw as a pretty even match overall. I think we won puck possesion overall , but we can't finish for **** right now, and Ottawa did.

 

[blahblah]

I enjoyed the game, though I hate to drop our 3rd in as many. Ottawa played a strong game, Anderson was sharp, the better goalie got the win in what I saw as a pretty even match overall. I think we won puck possesion overall , but we can't finish for **** right now, and Ottawa did.

What is interesting is that we didn't show up in the 1st and played about 80% of our capability the rest of the way.

As far as finishing, we generated chances fairly sporadically and only really from two lines.

Also we had very little puck luck. We we had guys unchecked in front of the net the rebound was just a little too far away giving Ottawa a chance to clear or get in position to block a shot. When the rebound came to one of our players, it seemed like it was the player that was being actively checked. We also had a couple of wide open chances where the puck rolled a little bit or was just a few inches over in the wrong area.

A couple of different bounces and we actually win that.

 

[Mayor Bee]

I mean the refs did mess a few up. Obviously the diving call on Zibanejad was comical, but the Johnson penalty was iffy, even the one that rocked Neil, but we had some bad calls too. Right after Ottawa scored to make it 3-2 refs let a few go on Columbus, but we all know how the refs are there to manufacture a game, which is why we have so many 3 point games.

Not sure if you saw the replay on this one, but Zibanejad actually launched himself off his skates into the boards. At full speed or from a couple of angles it might have looked decent, but the one angle in particular showed that it was a major dive.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I mean the refs did mess a few up. Obviously the diving call on Zibanejad was comical, but the Johnson penalty was iffy, even the one that rocked Neil, but we had some bad calls too. Right after Ottawa scored to make it 3-2 refs let a few go on Columbus, but we all know how the refs are there to manufacture a game, which is why we have so many 3 point games.

I would rather a penalty be called like the one they did on Horton, where it could lean to a scoring opportunity, instead of the one your player took 200ft away from his net, really no threat there to anyone. Can go on all day on refs!

You fail to mention the most egregious, that being the interference call on Goloubef.

 

[blahblah]

You fail to mention the most egregious, that being the interference call on Goloubef.

Yeah, I have no idea what that guy was looking at.

 

[Fro]

You fail to mention the most egregious, that being the interference call on Goloubef.

still can't see anyway that wasn't just a clean check...the puck was on the guy's stick...

 

[pete goegan]

still can't see anyway that wasn't just a clean check...the puck was on the guy's stick...

Glad you reminded me of that one! No, wait, I'm not glad, I had forgotten how angry I was at that ridiculous call! As you say, the puck was on his stick.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Glad you reminded me of that one! No, wait, I'm not glad, I had forgotten how angry I was at that ridiculous call! As you say, the puck was on his stick.

I had kinda forgotten about it too, figured I'd given enough with my screaming, yelling, incredulous rant at the game.

 

[Nordique]

What is interesting is that we didn't show up in the 1st and played about 80% of our capability the rest of the way.

As far as finishing, we generated chances fairly sporadically and only really from two lines.

Also we had very little puck luck. We we had guys unchecked in front of the net the rebound was just a little too far away giving Ottawa a chance to clear or get in position to block a shot. When the rebound came to one of our players, it seemed like it was the player that was being actively checked. We also had a couple of wide open chances where the puck rolled a little bit or was just a few inches over in the wrong area.

A couple of different bounces and we actually win that.

So true, Nick and RJ can't find the puck right now, and imo RJ is playing very well. Don't get me wrong, we can play much better, but puck luck is not helping either.

 

[Cash for Nash]

So true, Nick and RJ can't find the puck right now, and imo RJ is playing very well. Don't get me wrong, we can play much better, but puck luck is not helping either.

If Nick Foligno could score at any kind of consistent rate he'd be the greatest hockey player of all time. Seriously, that guy does everything exceptionally well except score. Which is unreal, considering how good of a puck handler he is.

 

[blahblah]

So true, Nick and RJ can't find the puck right now, and imo RJ is playing very well. Don't get me wrong, we can play much better, but puck luck is not helping either.

Agreed with RJ. Some of the best hockey I've seen from him in a long time. Seems to be slowly building.

 

[pete goegan]

Since we were discussing toughness, I thought this piece from Justin Bourne was timely and interesting:

http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2014/...n-on-the-puck-are-the-toughest-in-the-hockey/

After reading it, the two names that sprang to mind for me were DMac and Calvert. Not the biggest guys, but I noticed both, last night, hustle hard to be first to the puck and take the hit. Not the only two, of course, but they stuck out to me.

 

[Xoggz22]

Couple of comments. Last night we weren't even that cute, lol. It was a rather dull game from us. Also, McBackup did his job. He played more than well enough for the win. We can over-analyze him, but he's basically a first year over-aged career AHL player playing as our backup at basically league minimum. What I like about Curtis is that he's making the save that he should be. He isn't going to consistently make the tough saves that Bob can. However Bob is letting in goals that he shouldn't be.

I don't care if Curtis overplays the puck or allows the big rebounds at times. He makes that first save and gives you a chance to win most nights. That is what I am looking for until we get someone from our system to push Bob.

I don't disagree. I do think that Curtis has played better in other games. Both teams blew chances and some, to me, seemed to be created by poor positioning or over playing the play.

 

[EspenK]

Not sure if you saw the replay on this one, but Zibanejad actually launched himself off his skates into the boards. At full speed or from a couple of angles it might have looked decent, but the one angle in particular showed that it was a major dive.

If he really dove, he should consider a career as a Hollywood stuntman after his playing days are through. I thought it looked like he could have been really hurt on that fall.

 

[CBJfan4evr]

The officiating was bad last nite, in Ottawa's favor. The two biggest culprits for me are Horton and Johansen. Joey has not played a decent game in any of the losses. He is the one who looks terrible. If he gets a shot he makes sure to plant it squarely in the goalie's chest. His lack of production is to me the biggest problem we have on offense. RJ and Nick were trying.Joey was just a killer. And his defense is pretty bad too. He looks like the sulking child from last year all of a sudden. Horton? I don't know where his head is at.

Horton has been getting worse and worse over the last several games. Go back and look at the lazy penalties he is committing. Last two games he is playing "soft". Wonder if the lack of conditioning is catching up with him?

 

[major major]

You need toughness in the lineup to play Boston, Toronto, Philly, NYR, Pitt, Ottawa, even Montreal and Washington have more toughness than us. Don't forget if a miracle happened, we would physically get steamrolled by EVERY team in the West. Not sure why everyone thinks more goals is the way to winning. It's not so easy, look at St. Louis, they got tougher and more defensive. That's how we were last year, tough and hard to play against. Now we have a couple good games and everyone wants all the toughness out of the lineup and anyone that has scored a goal to play. That may be how you win some mid-season games when you play a team on the second half of a back to back, or the end of a long road trip. But that's NOT how you win in the playoffs. Do i wish we had someone with Boll's toughness that could score 12 goals, yes! that's why i took the Dorse trade very hard....

Montreal and Washington do not have remotely close to as much toughness as we do. The only team that has significantly more toughness than us is St. Louis, and there's plenty of teams that have significantly less. I think we match up close to tough teams like L.A. and Boston, in the upper half of the league.

Are you just looking at enforcers as a proxy for "toughness"? Because those guys are even more likely to get scratched in the playoffs. In the playoffs I think you have to look deeper in the lineup - so if you lined all your players up according to their toughness and looked at the guys in the middle, how well do they handle the rough stuff? I like our team in that regard.

 

[Robert]

Horton has been getting worse and worse over the last several games. Go back and look at the lazy penalties he is committing. Last two games he is playing "soft". Wonder if the lack of conditioning is catching up with him?

He needs to be an asset not a liability.... he knows this.. Patience.

 

[NotWendell]

Horton has been getting worse and worse over the last several games. Go back and look at the lazy penalties he is committing. Last two games he is playing "soft". Wonder if the lack of conditioning is catching up with him?

I think there's something to that and I expect him to come out like a house afire after the Olympic Break.

 

[Xoggz22]

If he really dove, he should consider a career as a Hollywood stuntman after his playing days are through. I thought it looked like he could have been really hurt on that fall.

If ever there was a good example of a call and an embellishment that was it. I have no idea what Niki6 was thinking on that play and Z-bad "dove". It was a terrible sequence for both players. Embarrassing I would say.

 

[ca5150]

Montreal and Washington do not have remotely close to as much toughness as we do. The only team that has significantly more toughness than us is St. Louis, and there's plenty of teams that have significantly less. I think we match up close to tough teams like L.A. and Boston, in the upper half of the league.

Are you just looking at enforcers as a proxy for "toughness"? Because those guys are even more likely to get scratched in the playoffs. In the playoffs I think you have to look deeper in the lineup - so if you lined all your players up according to their toughness and looked at the guys in the middle, how well do they handle the rough stuff? I like our team in that regard.

The only team is St. Louis? So we are tougher than Boston? Who are our tough players? Dubi is, Foligno isn't afraid but he isn't considered a "tough guy", with Prout down, none of our defense would be considered tough. Horton was tough for the Bruins, yet to be seen here. Who else? You gonna say Calvert is a tough guy because he isn't afraid to drop the gloves? The fact is almost every team has a couple of really tough players and we have none with Boll out. Goons get scratched in the playoffs sure, but many teams have guys that can play that are tough, Boston has 5 or 6 guys that would be our toughest player. We have the ability to be team tough but they haven't played that way in quite awhile. I want to see that back, no toughness in front of the net, not enough toughness in the corners. Nobody answering the bell when we could use a fight to change momentum and send a message. Bickell and Shaw ran all over the Wings in the playoffs because Detroit didn't have enough toughness. It's a pointless argument because people either believe in tough teams or they don't and nothing will change either persons mind.

 

[ca5150]

Since we were discussing toughness, I thought this piece from Justin Bourne was timely and interesting:

http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2014/...n-on-the-puck-are-the-toughest-in-the-hockey/

After reading it, the two names that sprang to mind for me were DMac and Calvert. Not the biggest guys, but I noticed both, last night, hustle hard to be first to the puck and take the hit. Not the only two, of course, but they stuck out to me.

Good article, some good points, but you also need plenty of players who will deliver the hits and wear the other team down, not just guys not afraid to take a hit, we have lots of guys willing to take a hit, we have been lacking guys willing to deliver some big hits and drop the gloves. I know you don't like fighting so I'm not going to change your mind, but we could use some guys willing to step up occasionally, Boone, Horton come to mind. It's time we brought some intimidation and not just a bunch of guys willing to get punched in the face and walk away.

 

[major major]

The only team is St. Louis? So we are tougher than Boston? Who are our tough players? Dubi is, Foligno isn't afraid but he isn't considered a "tough guy", with Prout down, none of our defense would be considered tough. Horton was tough for the Bruins, yet to be seen here. Who else? You gonna say Calvert is a tough guy because he isn't afraid to drop the gloves? The fact is almost every team has a couple of really tough players and we have none with Boll out. Goons get scratched in the playoffs sure, but many teams have guys that can play that are tough, Boston has 5 or 6 guys that would be our toughest player. We have the ability to be team tough but they haven't played that way in quite awhile. I want to see that back, no toughness in front of the net, not enough toughness in the corners. Nobody answering the bell when we could use a fight to change momentum and send a message. Bickell and Shaw ran all over the Wings in the playoffs because Detroit didn't have enough toughness. It's a pointless argument because people either believe in tough teams or they don't and nothing will change either persons mind.

I believe in the importance of toughness, I think you just vastly underrate where we're at. I don't think we're tougher than Boston, but we're not far behind. 5 or 6 guys? At most 3, in Lucic, Chara and Thornton. But no team matches up with Lucic and Chara, you'd have to acquire them to be that tough.

Here's some facts:
1) We've got the biggest defence in the league.

2) Right up there with Lucic, Backes and Ovechkin among the top 25 hitters among forwards are 5 Jackets: Dubinsky, Foligno, Mackenzie, Jenner and Comeau. No other team has more than 2.

If we ever have the good fortune of playing the Hawks in the Finals and they beat us, its not going to be because we can't handle Bickell and Shaw. It's going to be because of talent or discipline.

 

[pete goegan]

Good article, some good points, but you also need plenty of players who will deliver the hits and wear the other team down, not just guys not afraid to take a hit, we have lots of guys willing to take a hit, we have been lacking guys willing to deliver some big hits and drop the gloves. I know you don't like fighting so I'm not going to change your mind, but we could use some guys willing to step up occasionally, Boone, Horton come to mind. It's time we brought some intimidation and not just a bunch of guys willing to get punched in the face and walk away.

Yes, hitters are just as important as hittees.

As for fighting, I just don't ascribe the same importance to it as you. I wouldn't miss it, were it removed from the game and play became more "Olympian," but I understand where the culture and physicality of the NHL game leads to fighting. If Boll returns, plays hockey to his best ability, and fights in response to actions in the game, I'll have little problem with it. If he comes back and gets into staged goon fights, I will.

 

[Nordique]

Since we were discussing toughness, I thought this piece from Justin Bourne was timely and interesting:

http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2014/...n-on-the-puck-are-the-toughest-in-the-hockey/

After reading it, the two names that sprang to mind for me were DMac and Calvert. Not the biggest guys, but I noticed both, last night, hustle hard to be first to the puck and take the hit. Not the only two, of course, but they stuck out to me.

I thought Calvert, after a horrible start, played a great game.

Lots of positives on the ice, we just aren't scoring or closing out games down the stretch (Bob), and losing back to back 3-2 games isn't the kind of moral victory the team or the fans need or want. Guys gotta remember to stick to the system, don't try to be the hero because we're trailing by a goal. Horton and Foligno come to mind.

Yes, hitters are just as important as hittees.

As for fighting, I just don't ascribe the same importance to it as you. I wouldn't miss it, were it removed from the game and play became more "Olympian," but I understand where the culture and physicality of the NHL game leads to fighting. If Boll returns, plays hockey to his best ability, and fights in response to actions in the game, I'll have little problem with it. If he comes back and gets into staged goon fights, I will.

I agree I wouldn't miss it much, but I do think fighting has some role in the league, just like pitchers plunking a guy at this next at bat after he gloats over a home run.

 

[Mayor Bee]

If he really dove, he should consider a career as a Hollywood stuntman after his playing days are through. I thought it looked like he could have been really hurt on that fall.

At full speed and on the first replay, I actually turned away. On the angle from the opposite corner, the dive was really apparent.