Maybe BMurr and Euge aren't as nuts to think that this is our window as many including myself have thought they were.
We are in the midst of a dog fight for playoff position in the east that will likely go down to the wire before it is completely solved. However assuming we can make it into the playoffs which for the moment is a reasonable thought I think there is alot to be excited about once we get in. Especially if we can avoid Boston or Pittsburgh in the first round.
As I look around the Eastern conference one fact seems very clear.... The group of teams as a whole are all very close in talent level with the exception of the top 2 and even Boston is closer to the pack then in previous years in terms of talent level.
As this team is right now the Senators should be able to compete with/beat almost any team in the east with the possible exceptions of BOS and PIT. With a good add or two down the stretch it is entirely possible that we may even be able to compete with them.
There is always risk for injuries down the stretch as well and not just to us but to everyone. If PIT or BOS were to get dinged up they may become less dominant at the right time.
A few things we have that most of the East does not. Depth at center. Depth in goal. Enough money to make a splash at the deadline.
What I'm really getting at here is that if the Sens can get in there are only really two teams in the east that pose huge threats to us. And we have beaten both of those teams handily at least once each this season. I submit for your scrutiny that if this team gets in to the Playoffs not only is it possible we win a round it's possible we go deep. Here's hoping folks.
There really are only 2 teams in the east head and shoulder better then us.....Other then that.....I would not be concerned.....but this doesn't even factor in for trades we likely will make, nor does it factor in for potential emergence of Dacosta/Stone......Not really taking into account that we are in it with what has been awfull goaltending most of the year, but both of our goalies if they play to there potential I'd take over just about anyone out there.
I'm gonna base this next part on what I know about each of the likely playoff teams in the east please feel free to add or elaborate if I miss anything or correct if I'm way off the mark.
Pittsburgh
Offense: Rediculusly high octane offense, but not unbeatable if either Crosby or Malkin go down or have an off series which has happened in the past.
Defense: Good on defense...not amazing....just good.
Goalies: Two very good goalies. Fleury is a choke artist. Vocoun, well, he's old banged up and may not be able to play at his full potential in this years playoffs due to injuries.
Intangibles: Have two players that can win games all by themselves.
Boston
Offense: Capable of scoring at a very good clip plays a smash mouth style go hard to the net and make defenders pay tend to pick apart smaller defenses. Can be out skated by some teams. Can be shut down by teams with Large physical defensemen.
Defense: I could probably say Chara and that would be enough....but beyond that there kinda average defensively too,the key is to find a way around Chara.
Goalies: Rask is a beast. However he can be rattled. Also if Rask goes down.....so do the Bruins.
Intangibles: This is the meanest team in the east.
Tampa Bay
Offense: They have a fiery Offense that can score at will at times. But they are young and relatively inexpearianced which will likely be there down fall, can be bullied by bigger teams.
Defense: Suspect....It looks pretty good but is that them or is that Big Ben?
Goalies: Ben Bishop... He has been a beast this year, but his lack of playoff expeariance could turn into a problem when the stress level gets higher and with heavy traffic in his crease. If Bishop holds up they could go deep if not....they're going no where.
Intangibles:This team tends to score in bunches if it's aponents goaltending isn't up to snuff there will be no stopping them.
Montreal
Offense: Fast and very oppurtunistic. SMALL. They can score but with a lack of size it's hard to imagine them being able to beat a team like PIT BOS or OTT for a few examples.
Defense: Yet another team that is just good defensively....They will not win a series on the strength of there D.
Goalies: Price thus far has had a sort of jekyl and hyde showing in the playoffs the canadians will need him to be All world to go anywhere in the playoffs.
Intangibles: The Canadiens have several players that are excellent at getting under peoples skin.
Toronto
Offense: Good offensive team, can score at a reasonable clip. No proven playoff performers.
Defense: They are the worst defensive team that is going to make the playoffs. 40 plus shots against a game in the playoffs equals you lose.
Goalies: They have two good goalies. Neither brings alot of playoff expeariance to the table....
Intangibles:Can goon there way to wins.
NY Rangers
Offense: This team has a workman like offense but is likely the weakest offensive team that makes it, Though Rick Nash can be a game Breaker.
Defense: They play solid team defense but individually are not that dominant.
Goalies: King Henry is the best goalie in the east at his best but has not been his best this year....
Intangibles: Lundqvist..... He can steal a game a series and maybe a cup before he retires when he's at his best.
The other two spots I'm gonna guess one of goes to Ottawa and **** knows who gets the other but who ever it is will be no one we can not beat.
Ottawa
Offense: Can score at a torrent pace, have a fairly deep group in terms of players capable of producing. Awfull on the PP at home. Sometimes lack secondary scoring.
Defense: After being awfull for the first half of the season has rounded into good form with there size and mobility are capable of dealing with most teams but will there inexpeariance be a factor?
Goalies: Both of these goalies are good enough to steal a series..... But will either of them play as well as they can?
Intangibles: Better then they have been. Keep in mind alot of people had this team pegged as a dark horse to win the cup this year.....They are that good when they are on the same page.
BELIEVE PEOPLE.
We are in the midst of a dog fight for playoff position in the east that will likely go down to the wire before it is completely solved. However assuming we can make it into the playoffs which for the moment is a reasonable thought I think there is alot to be excited about once we get in. Especially if we can avoid Boston or Pittsburgh in the first round.
As I look around the Eastern conference one fact seems very clear.... The group of teams as a whole are all very close in talent level with the exception of the top 2 and even Boston is closer to the pack then in previous years in terms of talent level.
As this team is right now the Senators should be able to compete with/beat almost any team in the east with the possible exceptions of BOS and PIT. With a good add or two down the stretch it is entirely possible that we may even be able to compete with them.
There is always risk for injuries down the stretch as well and not just to us but to everyone. If PIT or BOS were to get dinged up they may become less dominant at the right time.
A few things we have that most of the East does not. Depth at center. Depth in goal. Enough money to make a splash at the deadline.
What I'm really getting at here is that if the Sens can get in there are only really two teams in the east that pose huge threats to us. And we have beaten both of those teams handily at least once each this season. I submit for your scrutiny that if this team gets in to the Playoffs not only is it possible we win a round it's possible we go deep. Here's hoping folks.
There really are only 2 teams in the east head and shoulder better then us.....Other then that.....I would not be concerned.....but this doesn't even factor in for trades we likely will make, nor does it factor in for potential emergence of Dacosta/Stone......Not really taking into account that we are in it with what has been awfull goaltending most of the year, but both of our goalies if they play to there potential I'd take over just about anyone out there.
I'm gonna base this next part on what I know about each of the likely playoff teams in the east please feel free to add or elaborate if I miss anything or correct if I'm way off the mark.
Pittsburgh
Offense: Rediculusly high octane offense, but not unbeatable if either Crosby or Malkin go down or have an off series which has happened in the past.
Defense: Good on defense...not amazing....just good.
Goalies: Two very good goalies. Fleury is a choke artist. Vocoun, well, he's old banged up and may not be able to play at his full potential in this years playoffs due to injuries.
Intangibles: Have two players that can win games all by themselves.
Boston
Offense: Capable of scoring at a very good clip plays a smash mouth style go hard to the net and make defenders pay tend to pick apart smaller defenses. Can be out skated by some teams. Can be shut down by teams with Large physical defensemen.
Defense: I could probably say Chara and that would be enough....but beyond that there kinda average defensively too,the key is to find a way around Chara.
Goalies: Rask is a beast. However he can be rattled. Also if Rask goes down.....so do the Bruins.
Intangibles: This is the meanest team in the east.
Tampa Bay
Offense: They have a fiery Offense that can score at will at times. But they are young and relatively inexpearianced which will likely be there down fall, can be bullied by bigger teams.
Defense: Suspect....It looks pretty good but is that them or is that Big Ben?
Goalies: Ben Bishop... He has been a beast this year, but his lack of playoff expeariance could turn into a problem when the stress level gets higher and with heavy traffic in his crease. If Bishop holds up they could go deep if not....they're going no where.
Intangibles:This team tends to score in bunches if it's aponents goaltending isn't up to snuff there will be no stopping them.
Montreal
Offense: Fast and very oppurtunistic. SMALL. They can score but with a lack of size it's hard to imagine them being able to beat a team like PIT BOS or OTT for a few examples.
Defense: Yet another team that is just good defensively....They will not win a series on the strength of there D.
Goalies: Price thus far has had a sort of jekyl and hyde showing in the playoffs the canadians will need him to be All world to go anywhere in the playoffs.
Intangibles: The Canadiens have several players that are excellent at getting under peoples skin.
Toronto
Offense: Good offensive team, can score at a reasonable clip. No proven playoff performers.
Defense: They are the worst defensive team that is going to make the playoffs. 40 plus shots against a game in the playoffs equals you lose.
Goalies: They have two good goalies. Neither brings alot of playoff expeariance to the table....
Intangibles:Can goon there way to wins.
NY Rangers
Offense: This team has a workman like offense but is likely the weakest offensive team that makes it, Though Rick Nash can be a game Breaker.
Defense: They play solid team defense but individually are not that dominant.
Goalies: King Henry is the best goalie in the east at his best but has not been his best this year....
Intangibles: Lundqvist..... He can steal a game a series and maybe a cup before he retires when he's at his best.
The other two spots I'm gonna guess one of goes to Ottawa and **** knows who gets the other but who ever it is will be no one we can not beat.
Ottawa
Offense: Can score at a torrent pace, have a fairly deep group in terms of players capable of producing. Awfull on the PP at home. Sometimes lack secondary scoring.
Defense: After being awfull for the first half of the season has rounded into good form with there size and mobility are capable of dealing with most teams but will there inexpeariance be a factor?
Goalies: Both of these goalies are good enough to steal a series..... But will either of them play as well as they can?
Intangibles: Better then they have been. Keep in mind alot of people had this team pegged as a dark horse to win the cup this year.....They are that good when they are on the same page.
BELIEVE PEOPLE.
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