1. Great goaltending last year, bad goaltending this year
2. Karlsson played like a top 5 NHL player last year, this year struggled in 1st half, better 2nd half but not at last year's level
3. Boucher inability to adapt. Drives me nuts that he's so married to his passive system, can't see the the top teams win by forechecking, aggression, and speed. Nothing wrong with the Boucher system in the 3rd protecting a lead, but a team's gotta be able to play more than 1 way
4. Good top 4 d last year, awful this year. Methot replaced by ??? Oduya terrible, Claesson regressed, Phaneuf lost a step, Ceci in over his head, Karlsson not as good, Harper awful, Boro being Boro. Only bright spot on d was Chabot's development and Wolanin.
5. Zack Smith and Hoffman horrible work ethic this year. So lazy, with no consequences.
6. Bobby Ryan played inspired hockey last year's playoffs, learned how to spell intense. This year: enttence
The Sens have been a yo-yo alternating good and bad years for a decade. They'll probably bounce back, make the playoffs next year, then suck the year after. This of course depends on Karlsson and Dahlin on the team or not.