GDT: Late Night with Ottawa Senators, LIVE from Seattle! 10PM EST, TSN5 + RDS

[Dionysus]

Yeah its an interesting approach. Stutzle is so dangerous that he can make the line work. Helps spread the offense out. Creates a dangerous offensive line with G and Gaud, but they can't keep up with Stutzle.

Could use some flexibility in getting your best player out at critical times of the game. Put him in Cousins spot alongside Pinto and Amadio when the net is empty for example.

 

[Tragedy]

I doubt Green was too worried they were about to lose the game. He clearly trusts Norris and Pinto defensively, so I think it's more about getting those 2 lines out there.

Agree about Gaudette defensively, he looks absolutely lost at times, but the effort is there and he's actually clicked reasonably with Stu imo. That backhand saucer to put him on a breakaway last night was money.

Guadette busts his ass out there. I think it was the Ducks game where he made 2 great defensive zone plays to prevent great scoring chances. Kinda feels like one of those labels that sticks to a player and everyone repeats without stopping to reflect if its even true. He looks no worse in our zone than guys like Brady or Bath do thats for sure

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Guadette busts his ass out there. I think it was the Ducks game where he made 2 great defensive zone plays to prevent great scoring chances. Kinda feels like one of those labels that sticks to a player and everyone repeats without stopping to reflect if its even true. He looks no worse in our zone than guys like Brady or Bath do thats for sure

I see what you're saying, and I do agree that happens with players and fan perception, but I don't think it's entirely true in this case. I think like you say and I said, the effort is absolutely not a problem, but my assessment is he's had many situations he's handled poorly in the D zone, or panicked and used hands before brains, that resulted in significant zone time for the other team. It's happened more with him than others imo and think he needs to lessen those moments to Brady/Bath territory if he wants to stick.

I do think it can be improved and really like his knack for putting the puck in the net. Almost Heatley esque in how his hands/stick look in brief moments. It's a new role for him to be on a 1st line in the NHL and it's a big step, so I'm patient. Imo he's still the best in house option and at times has arguably been better on that line than Giroux.

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

I like Gaudette but he's simply not good enough to put into the top 6.

I personally like the idea of switching up Norris/Pinto/Greig assignments if need be. Try Norris on Stu's RW. Or better, Pinto (because he's a heavier player and a good shot) and slot Greig into 3C where he's probably more natural.

I get not wanting to shake things up too much, though. It just seems like a strange call to put Gaudette up there when he's not doing much outside of shooting.

Well Grieg was on the top line for a bit and he looked way out of place. They need to find a winger for Stu

 

[Cosmix]

LA Kings have 13 EN goals. Sens have 3.

ENs are over-rated; I prefer ES goals.

Ullmark played incredibly.

The pushback the team had after being down like 15-5 shots early really showed grit. That stretch towards the end of the 2nd when they just hemmed the Kraken in multiple times for 2+ minutes and really controlled the play is exactly how this team needs to play if they want a divisional playoff spot.

Yes, but they must start playing a full 60 minutes including the first period. More work to be done.

 

[Emrasie]

Get Stutzle out there. He is the best on the team at scoring on an empty net.

Best at zone exits and entries, great speed. Not having him out with an empty net is a huge miss from the coaching staff.

Unfortunately having Gaudette on the wing seems to be preventing Green from trusting that line to defend in the last few minutes.

I don't understand this choice from Green, Stu needs to be here to score the EN goal, he is the fastest of the team.

 

[Knave]

I think people are forgetting that Giroux kills penalties and takes face offs as well and is on Stutzle's line.

If I'm betting I bet one if not both of Stutzle and Giroux are nursing injuries.

I mean Green had the 4th line out there in the last 5 minutes with the empty net. Stutzle and Giroux were on the bench the entire time. I doubt Gaudette is seen as so poor defensively that line can't be out there especially when Green is willing to put out the 4th line.

But he's not going to come out and say "Stutzle has a lower back strain so cross check him there" or "Giroux has a cracked rib" or whatever it is.

So Stutzle and Giroux sit if we're up a few goals with under 5 minutes left.

 

[Cosmix]

I was watching the game and at the start of the second accident my fell asleep, opened my eyes at the start of the third and it was 2-0. Confused for a moment, but then energized to watch the third.

Nice win boys!

I think it is an omen. Next game do the same!

Get Stutzle out there. He is the best on the team at scoring on an empty net.

Best at zone exits and entries, great speed. Not having him out with an empty net is a huge miss from the coaching staff.

Unfortunately having Gaudette on the wing seems to be preventing Green from trusting that line to defend in the last few minutes.

Could add some speed to that Stutzle line such as by adding Gregor to it.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Yes, but they must start playing a full 60 minutes including the first period. More work to be done.

Thought Ullmark put it well after the game. They're a bend but don't break type of team right now, but over time, they need to work on their consistency and ramp it up. For a team that hasn't had success as a group, it is not surprising.

 

[Cosmix]

Thought Ullmark put it well after the game. They're a bend but don't break type of team right now, but over time, they need to work on their consistency and ramp it up. For a team that hasn't had success as a group, it is not surprising.

They need continuous coaching, motivation, reminders and video-reviews! Plus some fun!

 

[Tragedy]

They need continuous coaching, motivation, reminders and video-reviews! Plus some fun!

Can't forget the oranges and juice!

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

They need continuous coaching, motivation, reminders and video-reviews! Plus some fun!

I've sent them all Christmas cards this year. That should do the trick.

 

[Blotto71]

Well Grieg was on the top line for a bit and he looked way out of place. They need to find a winger for Stu

If I suggest finding a way to sign Mikka Rantanen in the summer is that tampering?

How about...Nikka Santanen??

 

[Cosmix]

I've sent them all Christmas cards this year. That should do the trick.

Did you include some $$$.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Did you include some $$$.

I included an envelope for them to send me money me instead.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Guadette busts his ass out there. I think it was the Ducks game where he made 2 great defensive zone plays to prevent great scoring chances. Kinda feels like one of those labels that sticks to a player and everyone repeats without stopping to reflect if its even true. He looks no worse in our zone than guys like Brady or Bath do thats for sure

He is trying his best for sure. We really should not call him a top 6 NHL winger. Sens top 6 depth is slim. Perron is probably the closest but his top 6 days are mostly behind him. . We've tried Amadio , Greig and Gaudette in the to 6. I doubt they want to move Pinto or Ostapchuk there at this point.
Unless they rotate Batherson in there a few shifts a game.. not sure what options look like they can help.

They need continuous coaching, motivation, reminders and video-reviews! Plus some fun!

 

[SenatorsLegionary]

One detail in Ullmark's game that really impresses me is the way that he is able to challenge and stop the cross-ice slot deflection play. I noticed it at several times in previous games, but that blocker save that he made with about 5 minutes to go just before Seattle pulled their goalie showed just how effectively he is able to read that play as it's about to happen, aggressively slide almost out of his crease to be in position, and then react to the tip. It's really a thing of beauty!

 

[Xspyrit]

two games ago against the hurricanes?

Yes Pinto did as someone else already pointed out but 3 EN in 16 wins is kinda weird. Empty netters reduce anxiety for the starting goalie, and helps out to wrap up the shutout in an easier way

ENs are over-rated; I prefer ES goals.

EN are usually ES goals, same number of players for both teams. Players get a MINUS for an EN goal against

 

[Back in Black]

Not if you keep chugging those martinis old man!

Hey, I almost made it through half a period!!!