Ottawa Senators: NHL 11

[crosby878787]

Senators Season Preview 10/11
September-01-10
2:21 PM
At this time last year the nations capital was filled with anger and outrage after the club failed to make the playoffs in 12 years and superstar sniper Dany Heatley demanded a trade. But this year there's reason for optimism in Ottawa as the Senators rebounded and finished the season, at fifth place in the Eastern Conference. It looks as though there is still work to be done before Ottawa can make a return to the cup finals though.

Core:
About half of the Senators core players are 30 years of age or older, Fisher (30), Phillips (32), Kovalev (37) and Alfredson (37). With the addition of Sergei Gonchar (36) this past off-season, who knows how long the Senators can stay competitive.

Departures:
The Ottawa Senators saw a number of players leave to free agency such as Matt Cullen, Andy Sutton and Anton Volchenkov all of whom signed with other teams.

Arrivals:
The notable arrival being that of power play quarterback Sergei Gonchar who was signed to a three year contract.

Projection: 6th in the East

[GoldenJet]

5th in the East looks a bit high, considering that their defense is abysmal. 7th in the East is more like it.

[crosby878787]

Senators Win First Game of the Year
(1-0-0)

2-1

The Ottawa Senators opened the season with a low scoring afair against division rivals, Buffalo Sabers. Craig Rivet opened the scoring for the Sabers in the final seconds of the first period, on a point shot through a screen. Ottawa was quick to respond in the second, after Vanek took a hooking penalty Sergei Gonchar evened it up on the powerplay, only 3:46 into the period. Then with 5:02 remaining in the third Nick Foligno scored the game winner off a beautiful centering pass from Mike Fisher.

Shots:

OTT:22
BUF:20
Hits:
OTT:11
BUF:15
PP:
OTT:1/3
BUF:0/2

Brian Elliott was tonights game changing player.

[HeroWorship]

Decent first game, as Elliot was solid, but odd to see Sabre killers like Alfredsson and Spezza off the scoresheet.

[crosby878787]

Sens Defeat Leafs in First Round of Battle of Ontario
(2-0-0)

5-2

The Ottawa Senators were able to draw first blood in the battle of Ontario, as they defeated the Leafs in their first encounter of the season. It didn't take long to open the scoring in this one. Just 4:03 into the first period and Milan Michalek caught the Leafs defence flat footed causing Dion Phaneuf to haul down Michalek resulting in the penalty shot. Milan Michalek would make no mistake beating Gigeure on his backhand to give the Senators the one goal lead. About five minutes after that with the Leafs starting to apply some pressure, Brian Elliott would make an incredible diving glove save, sending Alfredson and Spezza back the other way on a two on one on which Daniel Alfredson would score his first of the season. That's how the score would remain for the rest of the first period. The first five minutes of the second was all Senators and Jason Spezza would cash in, the give the Senators the three goal lead. After that it was all Leafs for the rest of the period and Jon Mitchell would cut the lead down to two. In the third the Leafs would continue where they left off and Grabvoski would score just 2:46 into the period turning this into a one goal game. But then half way through the third period Alexei Kovalev, who had been all over the place tonight would score on what looked like a harmless play, Nick Foligno would add an empty netter ending the game.

Shots:
OTT: 14
TOR: 20
Hits:
OTT: 22
TOR: 8
PP:
OTT: 0/1
TOR: 0/2



Tonights game changing player is Alexei Kovalev.

[HeroWorship]

Good thrashing of the Leafs. I mean with all the weapons they have like Kessel, Kaberle, ummm.... Kessel, oh wait.

Nevermind, they suck. Boston will have the 1st overall pick in 2011.

[crosby878787]

Sens Extend Streak To Three With Overtime Win!
(3-0-0)

2-1

After a relatively quiet first period, it was the Senators who got on the first. Mike Fisher beat Varlamov glove side mid way through the second period. The pace ramped up in the third as the teams traded rushes, Alexander Semin rang on off the post twice in a matter of 40 seconds. The Senators looked like they would be able to escape with the 1-0 win, but with the clock winding down Jeff Shultz scored from the top of the face-off circle to force overtime. It didn't take long, as Brooks Laich took a slashing penalty 30 seconds into the extra frame. On the power play it was Sergei Gonchar who was the hero for the Senators.

Shots:
OTT: 16
WAS: 13
Hits:
OTT: 22
WAS:10
PP:
OTT: 1/2
WAS:1/1


Sergei Gonchar was tonights game changing player.

[crosby878787]

Quote: Originally Posted by HeroWorship

Good thrashing of the Leafs. I mean with all the weapons they have like Kessel, Kaberle, ummm.... Kessel, oh wait. Nevermind, they suck. Boston will have the 1st overall pick in 2011.

Haha yeah, no kidding.