Post-Game Talk: Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens | Game 2 | Oct. 15, 7:00pm | CityTV, TVA

[Do Make Say Think]

Really? I thought Anderson looked aweful. Im quite worried about him two garbage games in a row.

He finished strong which is all you can ask after that bad second goal.

No one is perfect for the entire game. What matters with mistakes is that you don't repeat them, not not make one ever.

Grant Fuhr let in a ton of bad goals, he remains one of the greats because of his ability to bounce back and not let in that 5th or 6th goal.

 

[JD1]

I wish this team could play with a lead, I didnt expect it to be automatic but in both games so many of the teams big issues reared their ugly heads.

I thought the only team issue to raise its ugly head was Anderson's propensity to allow soft goals at bad times. You could see EK on the corner of the crease ask "how?" after that 2nd goal

 

[Neiler]

One other note I'd make from this game (that I know many of you will disagree with for various reasons) is that I really enjoy having Neil on this team still. I know he's at the end of his career and many of you see no place for him anymore but I love that presence that he brings. I feel like opposing players always know he's there when they're in our barn and they don't mess around because of it. That 10 second glare he gave to someone (Gallager I think) last night was almost like saying "are you sure you wanna do this?"

I really enjoy him being part of the team.

 

[Baby Ryan]

I believe it was Shaw, but I agree Neil has been great so far.

Main thing is the coaching so far seems to be minimizing his ice time and putting him in situations to succeed. In his limited time, he can go all out and play very well in his role.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

One other note I'd make from this game (that I know many of you will disagree with for various reasons) is that I really enjoy having Neil on this team still. I know he's at the end of his career and many of you see no place for him anymore but I love that presence that he brings. I feel like opposing players always know he's there when they're in our barn and they don't mess around because of it. That 10 second glare he gave to someone (Gallager I think) last night was almost like saying "are you sure you wanna do this?"

I really enjoy him being part of the team.

He has a role that's for sure. He can bring some positives. I loved his big hit on Hunwick. If he could deliver a good clean check like that every game. He is a physical presence that will stick up for his team mates and help deter the free cheap shots.

 

[Punchbowl]

Neil also had a key shot block to clear the zone in period 1, he's been very effective through two games in my opinion. If he keeps it up he'll be playing well past his 1000th game

 

[SAK11]

Neil also had a key shot block to clear the zone in period 1, he's been very effective through two games in my opinion. If he keeps it up he'll be playing well past his 1000th game

One of the big keys with Neil- Under 6 minutes played in each game. Good job by Boucher limiting him and Boro's ice time.

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

One of the big keys with Neil- Under 6 minutes played in each game. Good job by Boucher limiting him and Boro's ice time.

While I agree, we really should have someone in there who can offer more and not force so many minutes out of our top players every night. Neil deserves to play but not every night. He should get 40%ish of the games off so someone else can play more minutes. Keep his old body fresh.

 

[Knave]

It's been a good start so far... 2-0 while learning a new system.

We're keeping ourselves right with the playoff pack and in theory we should get better.

 

[Ice-Tray]

While I agree, we really should have someone in there who can offer more and not force so many minutes out of our top players every night. Neil deserves to play but not every night. He should get 40%ish of the games off so someone else can play more minutes. Keep his old body fresh.

On the flip side, you want your top lines to play more, because they are better at scoring.

The third line is a shutdown line that will play more, and against some teams will line match.

This leaves the fourth line to provide energy when both teams are resting their other lines. In addition to energy, you want you fourth line to be solid defensively, and to be able to hit. With Dizzy on the fourth line we also have a fast strike option.

The reality is that from a financial stand point you want most of the money being spent on the top lines as well, team's don't really have money to fill the fourth line with 'paid players'.

Ours is perfect I think, so far, for the money being paid. We have an excellent defensive vet at centre who is good on faceoffs. We have a 1000 game vet tough guy on the right who can crush folks, and is effective in limited, traditional 4 line minutes, and we have the rookie winger on the left with speed to burn and the courage to drive the net. An affordable and effective fourth line.

The truth is that I'm not seeing a lot of holes in our team right now (not that we don't need to continue to work, but our players are solid in their positions 2 games in), and we have the cap space to add a serious upgrade somewhere in the line up. By Christmas and moving towards the deadline we'll have a solid idea going forward into the playoffs and next where this money should be spent. The most serious issue to consider though is that with the expansion draft looming any shiny acquisition will have to be protected, leaving someone else exposed. There is a good chance we make a small temp move after the new year, and then wait until Vegas has had their picks before making a big move. That goes for most teams as well I'd imagine, no one wants to give Vegas squat if they don't have to.

 

[Back in Black]

Neil deserves to play but not every night. He should get 40%ish of the games off so someone else can play more minutes. Keep his old body fresh.

What did he reach 65 years of age?

The guy still does what he’s paid to do and nothing less! And that other 60% of the time when he isn’t around is when other teams will start taking advantage.....

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Speaking of free cheap shots. Did anybody else think that Pacioretty should have been targeted for running into Anderson?

 

[Tuna99]

Speaking of free cheap shots. Did anybody else think that Pacioretty should have been targeted for running into Anderson?

Habs took a good enough beating last night. I don't want to call them soft, but when your 2 smallest players are your 2 toughest players and your getting bounced around the stadium, it makes you look like a soft team.

 

[KwanTuM]

I don't think that was too bad. At least not Kreider bad...

 

[Blotto71]

Speaking of free cheap shots. Did anybody else think that Pacioretty should have been targeted for running into Anderson?

Absolutely expect it next game early. I liked that the Sens stayed focussed on the task at hand last night. Plenty more meetings for some payback. I am surprised there was no call, saying he was directed is a stretch.

 

[Ice-Tray]

Speaking of free cheap shots. Did anybody else think that Pacioretty should have been targeted for running into Anderson?

I would have loved to see something, but I do like how the guys stayed focused on trying to win the game at that point. I felt as though the Habs were cheap tonight, especially vs Stone's head.

It's odd, in the last few games it seems like the Leafs are cheap with the chintzy interference, and the Habs are cheap with their chintzy cheapshots.

We on the other hand tried to play focused hockey and ended up winning. The boys look like they are trying really hard to focus on getting their routes down and their positional play up to snuff within the new system. What will be awesome to see is what the squad looks like once they have the technical stuff down pat and are able to add finesse and grit to it more seamlessly. I have a feeling that we're going to be a very good team, very soon.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

on Pacioretty: I love the discipline. I am not talking about a face wash, a hack or shove. I'd like to see him cleaned out with a good clean check like Neil threw the other night.

 

[Ice-Tray]

on Pacioretty: I love the discipline. I am not talking about a face wash, a hack or shove. I'd like to see him cleaned out with a good clean check like Neil threw the other night.

I totally agree. I wonder if some of the guys were just thinking system first to make sure they didn't make mistakes. Not a "turn another cheek" but more "my brain is filled with concentrating on getting this right".

 

[Knave]

on Pacioretty: I love the discipline. I am not talking about a face wash, a hack or shove. I'd like to see him cleaned out with a good clean check like Neil threw the other night.

I'm still laughing that he got made captain. The guy who publicly whines whenever he feels slighted or cheapshotted but the first to pull some Marchand like ****.

The direct opposite of "no excuses".

 

[FolignoQuantumLeap]

I'm still laughing that he got made captain. The guy who publicly whines whenever he feels slighted or cheapshotted but the first to pull some Marchand like ****.

The direct opposite of "no excuses".

He really does whine a lot. I've noticed that over the last year, he's Crosby like in his approach with the officials.

The number I'd be taking would be 26 from that game. Targets a star player's head who just came back from a concussion. That's not an accident. He should be dealt with, especially if the refs won't take action.

 

[tony d]

Good win last night, 2 and 0, let's get to 3 and 0 vs. Detroit tomorrow.

 

[Senscore]

I'm still laughing that he got made captain. The guy who publicly whines whenever he feels slighted or cheapshotted but the first to pull some Marchand like ****.

The direct opposite of "no excuses".

I think they probably would have made Price captain if they could.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I'm still laughing that he got made captain. The guy who publicly whines whenever he feels slighted or cheapshotted but the first to pull some Marchand like ****.

The direct opposite of "no excuses".

He should hand the C to Weber

 

[Pronto]

I'm still laughing that he got made captain. The guy who publicly whines whenever he feels slighted or cheapshotted but the first to pull some Marchand like ****.

The direct opposite of "no excuses".

Apparently, the players voted for him but I have a feeling they voted more in a ''anybody but PK'' approach.

 

[aragorn]

Very good first period last night against the Habs, loved the way this team FINALLY took the body to them & played physical. Of course, as soon as they got back to poke checking instead of hitting & taking the body the Habs got right back into the game. Anyway, good win, I thought Neil & Boro played well & they should play more minutes & Smith is looking great in the top 6 where he should stay for a while. Nice goal by Dzingel too.