I think Ottawas goaltending is the difference maker. While both teams have good goaltending. Tornoto will have the advantage at offense. However, Ottawa has the advantage of having a number one center. It will be interesting to see how Kadri progresses though.
- david22

Yup. Ottawa's D looks promising too. Weircioch the way he's playing with a motivated Jared Cowen.. the sens might have one of the best 6D they've ever had

Did we not miss the playoffs seven years in a row? Did Ottawa not go to the Stanley Cup final during that period? Did they not win the President's Trophy another year? Did you just become a hockey fan last year for the first time?
- spatso

Ottawa made the finals once and they deserved it. They also weren't good enough to get over the hump. They slipped badly after their appearance and have done well drafting players in later rounds. What's missing and always has been missing, is their killer instinct. They can't seem to win the big game when it counts. Yes, they beat the Habs, but the Habs had a one off, shortened season. You don't go to second in the conference, from 15th in a full year. If that had been a full season, they would have had an epic tank, near the end, to rival what happened to the Leafs, the year before last. I'm not saying the Habs will return to the bottom, but they're not going to be anywhere close to second overall, like last year. Ottawa has talent, but their grit and tenacity is wanting, when they play more physical clubs. Always has been, always will be. It has something to do with the leadership from the ownership and their reliance on Euro's, to be the go to guys on the team.

I'm sure Pageau will be very intimated by a couple of plugs who play less than 10 minutes. He'll skate circles around them for fun.
- Todd.Cordell

Yea...that's what he'll do. He couldn't skate his way out of bleeding last game and no goons were dressed.

I think Ottawas goaltending is the difference maker. While both teams have good goaltending. Tornoto will have the advantage at offense. However, Ottawa has the advantage of having a number one center. It will be interesting to see how Kadri progresses though.
- david22

Agreed.

Aside from Karlsson? I don't get it? Of the Sens didn't have Karlsson ok they'd be that much closer but the Sens do have Karlsson so it's a landslide. Forwards, Leafs don't match up down the middle. Not even close. They have the better top 6 wingers but far worse on the bottom 6. Goaltending isn't even a discussion.
- scotch_tape

What I mean is, you were incorrect in suggesting they are better than the Leafs all over the ice just because of Karlsson. Having an elite player doesn't a team completely dominant over another team. The Leafs aren't worse in their bottom 6, in fact they have a very solid 3rd line.

Just like I don't think Tampa Bay is better all over the ice than the Sharks, just because they have Stamkos. Same applies in this instance, where having Karlsson doesn't make them better all over the ice. Even Sens fans can admit this. The logical ones like david22, that is.

What I mean is, you were incorrect in suggesting they are better than the Leafs all over the ice just because of Karlsson. Having one elite player doesn't a team completely dominant over another team. The Leafs aren't worse in their bottom 6, in fact they have a very solid 3rd line.
- Gunslinger

Guess we agree to disagree. I just hate both teams. Makes me sick to compliment te Sens.

I said two years ago that Pageau was the steal of the draft.

Took lots of heat from guys on these threads.

Enjoying watching the kid having his coming out party.

This kid is a special player. Just love seeing him fight his way into the dance.
- spatso

He has a grand total of 4 points in the NHL and you're having a coming out party (insert joke here)?

If anybody needs to tone down their expectations, it's you guys.

Ottawa made the finals once and they deserved it. They also weren't good enough to get over the hump. They slipped badly after their appearance and have done well drafting players in later rounds. What's missing and always has been missing, is their killer instinct. They can't seem to win the big game when it counts. Yes, they beat the Habs, but the Habs had a one off, shortened season. You don't go to second in the conference, from 15th in a full year. If that had been a full season, they would have had an epic tank, near the end, to rival what happened to the Leafs, the year before last. I'm not saying the Habs will return to the bottom, but they're not going to be anywhere close to second overall, like last year. Ottawa has talent, but their grit and tenacity is wanting, when they play more physical clubs. Always has been, always will be. It has something to do with the leadership from the ownership and their reliance on Euro's, to be the go to guys on the team.
- PrinceLH

Have you met the kettle?

Guess we agree to disagree. I just hate both teams. Makes me sick to compliment te Sens.
- scotch_tape

I hear you on that, and sometimes the hate makes people say some pretty silly things! Like riceroni, the only Andrew Dice Clay fan still alive.

Yea...that's what he'll do. He couldn't skate his way out of bleeding last game and no goons were dressed.
- Gunslinger

Apparently you did not see the game or the incident.

JPG is getting great press. Named player of the game. Coaches and GM say he is the best player at camp. So, tell us what is your secret source of insight?

Have you met the kettle?
- bobert836

Who drinks out of kettles anymore?

It's the keg. Have you met the keg? I think not.

Ottawa made the finals once and they deserved it. They also weren't good enough to get over the hump. They slipped badly after their appearance and have done well drafting players in later rounds. What's missing and always has been missing, is their killer instinct. They can't seem to win the big game when it counts. Yes, they beat the Habs, but the Habs had a one off, shortened season. You don't go to second in the conference, from 15th in a full year. If that had been a full season, they would have had an epic tank, near the end, to rival what happened to the Leafs, the year before last. I'm not saying the Habs will return to the bottom, but they're not going to be anywhere close to second overall, like last year. Ottawa has talent, but their grit and tenacity is wanting, when they play more physical clubs. Always has been, always will be. It has something to do with the leadership from the ownership and their reliance on Euro's, to be the go to guys on the team.
- PrinceLH

In the past I would agree, but owner ship has changed since the time they were getting beaten so frequently by physical teams. Against the Ducks they got pounded, but they were also a pretty physical team. Even now, they are a pretty physical team. Not as much as say Toronto or Boston, but they are up there.

Being a Euro doesn't equate to being soft, as Detroit would say. But even if so: Zibanijad, Karlsson, Michalek, the Rest of the team is comprised of north american.

There was also a big departure that could spark a change in this mentality, if it exists at all.

Have you met the kettle?
- bobert836

Ottawa made the finals once and they deserved it. They also weren't good enough to get over the hump. They slipped badly after their appearance and have done well drafting players in later rounds. What's missing and always has been missing, is their killer instinct. They can't seem to win the big game when it counts. Yes, they beat the Habs, but the Habs had a one off, shortened season. You don't go to second in the conference, from 15th in a full year. If that had been a full season, they would have had an epic tank, near the end, to rival what happened to the Leafs, the year before last. I'm not saying the Habs will return to the bottom, but they're not going to be anywhere close to second overall, like last year. Ottawa has talent, but their grit and tenacity is wanting, when they play more physical clubs. Always has been, always will be. It has something to do with the leadership from the ownership and their reliance on Euro's, to be the go to guys on the team.
- PrinceLH

Does it get hot wearing the aluminum foil helmet?

Apparently you did not see the game or the incident.

JPG is getting great press. Named player of the game. Coaches and GM say he is the best player at camp. So, tell us what is your secret source of insight?
- spatso

If he's their best player at camp, then the Sens are in real trouble and will be hard pressed to make the playoffs. Wait until the big boys come out to play, he'll be hiding behind Kassian's skirt!

Not at all. If Schneider was all world, don't you think he's still be playing for the Canucks? He's a 10 -20 goalie in this league. He's not a top 10 like Marty was, for 20 years. He's also not got the same cast of players that Vancouver had in front of him. It's going to be a real change for him, coming east to play in a division and conference that is very close.
- PrinceLH

you think the nucks could have gotten rid of loungo?

Who drinks out of kettles anymore?

It's the keg. Have you met the keg? I think not.
- Gunslinger

I like, the crow calls the raven black. I like to throw my Game of Throne references out there.

Apparently you did not see the game or the incident.

JPG is getting great press. Named player of the game. Coaches and GM say he is the best player at camp. So, tell us what is your secret source of insight?
- spatso

Yea, I saw this alright. There was a player of the game named, and it wasn't Pageau, so you're wrong about that. Mason Raymond was the player of the game and Pageau wasn't one of the 3 stars that night. Good fail job though.

Of course JPG is getting great press. He's better than Claude Giroux for (frank)s sake.

you think the nucks could have gotten rid of loungo?
- dmarsden2988

They'd be lucky to get Kadri and a salary dump at this point.

Does it get hot wearing the aluminum foil helmet?
- spatso

I wouldn't know, I come from an era, when helmets weren't mandatory. So let me know, when you take yours off.

you think the nucks could have gotten rid of loungo?
- dmarsden2988

If the contracts were equal, yes!

I think these teams are closer than most people thing. Both have bright futures ahead of them.
- Gunslinger

I wouldn't agree. This will be a year to remember for Toronto. All sorts of questions around the future of the team. Potential would be the right word.. but direction who knows.
Toronto will be circled in rumors this year more than ever. Trade speculation will revolve around Reimer, Phanuef and Kessel and I think Toronto's "bright future" will be determining their leaders for 2014/2015.
What happens to this team if they sit in the 9-11 spot around January...?

This is just completely absurd now...
- Gunslinger

Sorry that you can't handle the truth. Well, I guess it will be a lot of sad and angry Leaf fans around here in a few months time.

Have you met the kettle?
- bobert836

Was waiting for someone else to say it

I like, the crow calls the raven black. I like to throw my Game of Throne references out there.
- david22

Have they ran any previews to the next season yet?

*shivers*