Jared Crozier: Game Day: Sens Vs Hawks Part II

I do have some concern with Zibanejad's start and wish I knew more about the injury /illness at the end of the season last year.

I predict that darling is going to come back down to earth tonight.

5-3 Ottawa

i'm not worried about zibby, he'll figure it out. I heard some rumblings that perhaps his offseason conditioning is an issue, and it's just taking him a little longer to get back into the rhythm and speed of the game. if so, then obviously his offseason training needs to be addressed next year, but as for this year, he'll get there in time.

I predict that darling is going to come back down to earth tonight.

5-3 Ottawa

i'm not worried about zibby, he'll figure it out. I heard some rumblings that perhaps his offseason conditioning is an issue, and it's just taking him a little longer to get back into the rhythm and speed of the game. if so, then obviously his offseason training needs to be addressed next year, but as for this year, he'll get there in time.
- sensarmy_11

That makes sense. Often it looks like his timing is just off.

If we can keep Chicago to 2 goals again and less then 30 shots I'll consider it a victory win or lose.

I think Chicago will win, I just want to see Ottawa hang with them for 60 minutes

If we can keep Chicago to 2 goals again and less then 30 shots I'll consider it a victory win or lose.

I think Chicago will win, I just want to see Ottawa hang with them for 60 minutes
- tuna99

Yeah. I think ottawa will have a much stronger game, but it will end in a OT/SO loss. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Sylvain St-Laurent‏@Syl_St_Laurent·1 min1 minute ago
Line combos: MacArthur-Turris-Ryan, Michalek-Zibanejad-Chiasson, Smith-Legwand-Neil, Hoffman-Lazar-Stone. Greening and Condra extra. #Sens

i LOVE that 4th line

i LOVE that 4th line
- sensarmy_11

Me too... I am actually expecting a big win tonight... Do it for Lehner!

i LOVE that 4th line
- sensarmy_11

Oh yeah

The fact that we can even say such a thing is evidence that we have good times ahead of us. And sooner if a decent T4D is added.

i LOVE that 4th line
- sensarmy_11

the only thing that scares me is that they will likely get 4th line minutes, while an inferior 3rd line (IMO) gets the much higher TOI

the only thing that scares me is that they will likely get 4th line minutes, while an inferior 3rd line (IMO) gets the much higher TOI
- sensarmy_11

That hasn't been Mac's M.O. this season though. Fairly even minutes so far. Also a sign of new strength/trust.

Okay, this has nothing to do with this blog, but it's so friggin awesome (IMO) that i had to share.

The ducks goalie Andersen, has a mask that is dedicated to Reservoir Dogs and Mr. Blonde in particular. Literally one of the best movies ever made. so friggin cool.

http://www.thehockeynews....with-reservoir-dogs-mask/

So, the lines:

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Zibanejad-Chiasson
Smith-Legwand-Neil
Hoffman-Lazar-Stone

This is the best distribution of the 12 starting forwards that we've seen to this point in the season, and I think that every one of these lines is set up to be successful. I hope they roll with this for a while because I see potential on every one of these groups.

Even that Legwand line. Neil and Smith have actually been pretty reasonable players so far this season. If people need to complain about something (and some Senators fans seem incapable of functioning unless they're PO'd about something their team is doing), I'm guessing that this is it. But they'll play tight defense, and as long as Smith and Neil continue with their trend of not taking ridiculously pointless penalties, then I think they'll be fine.

Would like to see Zibanejad get going though. I think that Michalek and Chiasson are the right guys to be playing with him, hopefully they'll click and get him a point or two tonight.

So, the lines:

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Zibanejad-Chiasson
Smith-Legwand-Neil
Hoffman-Lazar-Stone

This is the best distribution of the 12 starting forwards that we've seen to this point in the season, and I think that every one of these lines is set up to be successful. I hope they roll with this for a while because I see potential on every one of these groups.

Even that Legwand line. Neil and Smith have actually been pretty reasonable players so far this season. If people need to complain about something (and some Senators fans seem incapable of functioning unless they're PO'd about something their team is doing), I'm guessing that this is it. But they'll play tight defense, and as long as Smith and Neil continue with their trend of not taking ridiculously pointless penalties, then I think they'll be fine.

Would like to see Zibanejad get going though. I think that Michalek and Chiasson are the right guys to be playing with him, hopefully they'll click and get him a point or two tonight.
- the_terror

I have really like the way Legwand and Hoffman (when he plays) have played together. But also like the kid line's potential.

I have really like the way Legwand and Hoffman (when he plays) have played together. But also like the kid line's potential.
- JaredCrozier

I think the reason I like the Lazar line is because having him with two guys that can finish puts Lazar in a good position to succeed, certainly a much better one than he is in when playing with Smith and Neil. No disrespect intended to those guys, but Lazar deserves to be playing with guys who are like minded, and I think that Hoffman and Stone are far better equipped to play with Lazar than Neil and Smith are.

our depth is amazing, and I'm not talking about Boro and Methot being injured. Zibby, Michalek and Ryan have been ice cold since the start of the season - essentially our 2nd line and we are still winning games - 2 stud goalies, 8 NHL Dman, can rotate in speed (Hoffman) Hockey IQ (Lazar) Size (Greening) or straight up D play (Condra) at forwards

Murray has done a good job with our depth - we are still 2 elite forwards away from being a legit contender but the depth and goaltending is there

our depth is amazing, and I'm not talking about Boro and Methot being injured. Zibby, Michalek and Ryan have been ice cold since the start of the season - essentially our 2nd line and we are still winning games - 2 stud goalies, 8 NHL Dman, can rotate in speed (Hoffman) Hockey IQ (Lazar) Size (Greening) or straight up D play (Condra) at forwards

Murray has done a good job with our depth - we are still 2 elite forwards away from being a legit contender but the depth and goaltending is there
- tuna99

I agree with everything except the bolded, I don't think all of the guys we're icing would be seeing NHL time in many of the other organizations.

(Gryba, Weircioch, Cowen, Boro)

Jared Crozier: Game Day: Sens Vs Hawks Part II
- JaredCrozier

From TSN Brent Wallace: MacLean would only say Boroweicki "is not available tonight". Would not elaborate.

So, the lines:

MacArthur-Turris-Ryan
Michalek-Zibanejad-Chiasson
Smith-Legwand-Neil
Hoffman-Lazar-Stone

This is the best distribution of the 12 starting forwards that we've seen to this point in the season, and I think that every one of these lines is set up to be successful. I hope they roll with this for a while because I see potential on every one of these groups.

Even that Legwand line. Neil and Smith have actually been pretty reasonable players so far this season. If people need to complain about something (and some Senators fans seem incapable of functioning unless they're PO'd about something their team is doing), I'm guessing that this is it. But they'll play tight defense, and as long as Smith and Neil continue with their trend of not taking ridiculously pointless penalties, then I think they'll be fine.

Would like to see Zibanejad get going though. I think that Michalek and Chiasson are the right guys to be playing with him, hopefully they'll click and get him a point or two tonight.
- the_terror

Well said, my thoughts exactly..

Is this the best 4th line in the league? Has to be one of the best.

Well said, my thoughts exactly..

Is this the best 4th line in the league? Has to be one of the best.
- Erik6Karlsson5

They'll have to do something before I consider them one of the best 4th lines. They certainly have the potential to chip in offensively way more than the average 4th line group, but now they have to go out there and put up some numbers.

Shea Weber has to be the early season MVP and Norris - thought Karlsson would win the Norris this year but I don't think he stands a chance the way he has been playing D

Shea Weber has to be the early season MVP and Norris - thought Karlsson would win the Norris this year but I don't think he stands a chance the way he has been playing D
- tuna99

Brett Burns says hi

what exactly has weber done so far?

he's played well, but nowhere close (so far) to norris, let alone hart trophy

I agree with everything except the bolded, I don't think all of the guys we're icing would be seeing NHL time in many of the other organizations.

(Gryba, Weircioch, Cowen, Boro)
- TommyDeVito

Weircioch is a NHL dman I think.

Weircioch is a NHL dman I think.
- ClarksonDavid

fair enough......i mean buffalo and carolina are TECHNICALLY NHL teams.

fair enough......i mean buffalo and carolina are TECHNICALLY NHL teams.
- sensarmy_11

That's not a fair assessment, Wiercioch had the potential to be a very good top-4 offensive defenseman who could play the 2nd PP, but management and the coaching staff ruined his progress towards that goal last year.

Edit: Ceci though, dang that kid is going to be special.