Big League TU-rris

The (Lowly) Ottawa Senators Clinch a Playoff Spot…

…in year one of the club’s “retool”.

To the prognosticators, predictors and pundits..

 

Audacious Observations!

The “I h8 Anderson because he cut his finger” group of people are hilarious to me. Hilarious! On twitter last night after the third ‘Peg goal, seconds after Spezza had scored, on a play that was more bad luck than a mishandle (see: puck bouncing over stick behind net) while Senator defencemen were doing flyby drills — it was a full on smear campaign – FU Anderson, stay in your effing  net, Anderson plays like a lousy 70s goaltender, u think ur good but relly u suk, etc. — The naysayers were pretty, pretty tight lipped in the third. The only puck that got passed Andy in the final stanza was an illegally gloved-in puck. He stopped the penalty shot, settled down the troops, completed the mission.  This Sens squad just responds to/jives with Anderson over the other three goalies. He’s had the lion’s share of the work, yes, but I mean, 14 goals for in two games (MTL game notwithstanding) and another notch in the win column at the most crucial of times(!) Lehner/Bishop will have their day(s), but the light is green and green is go for Craig Anderson from here on out in ’11-’12.

Outside the crease, the veteran core has sacked up, taken their collective game to another level and leading (by example) pffff.

Jason Spezza – pissed off, motivated, and doing this –>

Alfredsson – full GOD mode. Anytime you think he’s lost a step, he flips the switch and nets six points in two games. Alfie is as big a reason as any for the mini-resurgence.

Neil – got the ball rolling with the first goal of the jour last night and didn’t take any henious penalties.

Phillips – 20:42 of methodical defending.

And a final note about officiating, if you want to call it that. For reasons beyond the scope of pro-spiracy, where there is Dan O’Rourke there is Ottawa Senators’ problems. The three catastrophic lapses in adhering to the rulebook yesterday in Manitoba were — A) the penalty shot – was it even a hooking penalty? The Jets got two glorious chances on the play. Luckily, Wellwood’s sorry attempt on the penalty shot equally matched the ineptitude of the call. B) the gloved-in goal – punched in goals are legal now – memo from the league. C) Erik Condra gets hacked to the ice on a 2 on 1 with three minutes to go inches from O’Rourke’s face. O’Rourke looks the other way. That about covers it.

What matters – the Sens are up two games to zero in their seven game series to make the playoffs. Four points clear (88) of the eighth and ninth place Capitals (84) and Sabres (84) who duke it out tonight. Goooo regulation game!

P.S.

Special thanks to @Wham_City for the clever photo.

Thanks for Observing!

Five reasons why the Sens will qualify for the ‘real season’ (like there is any doubt)

5. The Sens simply aren’t as bad as they look when they’re losing (and as good when they’re winning). The last two losses to Toronto and New J were bore-fests, to be sure. From an observational perspective, that extra gear appears to be missing. But this is not the first time this team has had a stretch of lousy hockey games – that seven-game humble streak post-ASG had many people crying “implosion”. Fast forward two weeks and they’re laying the boot to other teams nightly. A return to form is likely imminent.

4. Paul MacLean. The Jack Adams nominee is too crafty to let this team slide out of the picture.

3. The fall is too far, the time frame too limited. A 4-4 record (or 0-0-8) is all that’s needed to (comfortably) secure a berth. The remaining schedule, while challenging (Mon(R), Pit(H), Wpg(R), Phi(R), NYI(R), Car(H), Bos(H), NJ(R)) is good mix of playoff teams, bubble teams and lottery teams. With that said, the next three games will be tough and will require the Sens “A”game.

2. Craig Anderson will be back between the pipes as early as Thursday. Let’s face it, the team will benefit from the return of their #1 guy. With all due respect to Bishop and Lehner, Andy is the guy, the workhorse, the Senators best netminder today. He had a big ‘hand’ in getting them into the playoff conversation to begin with, and can now seal the deal.

1. The Sens aren’t wearing blue and white and allergic to spring time hockey! Ayyyy-ooo. Fold your tent and hit the links, Phanuef!

Half-Assed Observations!

Just some thoughts for the reader(s) out there. Everything here, as always, pre-approved by Scott Howson.

Craig Anderson – Number 1 goalers should not be cooking their own meals, especially during precarious points on the calender. Someone give the man a $500 Kelsey’s gift card. Heal that pinky, big guy.

Robin Lehner – Comes up big in a “big” game, we’ve heard this story. Most impressed with how he handled the questions about the new blood brought in. Organizational depth is great. No pouting here (at least not yet). Still can’t grasp the stance of some fans who find fault in this transaction.

Ben Bishop – “the new blood” – by all accounts,  a hulking human being who’s height is nearly matched by his puck-stopping prowess in the AHL. Creates an environment of internal competition. Alleviates the need to draft a netminder this summer.

Brian Leesanity over, Matt Gilroy Morgan begins – Stat that strikes me, Gilroy was +2 on a Tampa team that has a -38 goal differential. That says something.

On Lee, personally, I’m going to miss him. He was on the cusp of breaking out into full-time duty for three straight years. Great attitude, great company man – took snub after snub with the poise of a wide-eyed 11-year-old. Would have rather seen a Carkner flipped for Gilroy, but that was just not feasible. From all of us here at the Observer, best of luck with the fresh start to Brian Lee!

Oh, and this.

The Sens record with Lee dressed in the last 13 games.

Joe Corvo – whatever.

The Jets and New Jersey lost games in regulation-style tonight so that’s awesome.

The Sens magic number is 18 points in 18 remaining games. Rosters are set. Let’s go!