Jared Crozier: Senators snag point in high-scoring battle, do their goalies a dis-service

I don't think Jared is capable of writing a positive column. Clearly he has more enthusiasm for last night's highly entertaining game than he does for the previous wins.

3 out of 4 points is pretty good all in all.

Although I agree that at some point Condon should have been rested. Caps up next so wont be that game.


when andy comes back to we go to them splitting the starts?

It's easy to Monday morning QB the decision to start Condon. If I were the coach, I probably would have gone to Drieger, too, but that doesn't mean the decision Boucher made was the wrong one.

Drieger looked terrible in his only game in the NHL this season. He also has pretty bad numbers in the AHL this season.

It didn't take a hockey analyst to know that last night's game was going to be high scoring. When you have two tired teams, it's usually the defense that suffers first.

Let's say we put in Drieger last night and the Sens played the same way in front of him. At best, he would have allowed 3 goals. At best. The first two, Condon had no chance on. There was also a breakway goal in the 3rd with a nice move. So that's three. Odds are Drieger would have allowed at least a couple more based on how the teams were trading chances.

So let's say that happened.. Driger gets lit up instead of Condon. Now his only two games in the NHL this season were terrible. He'll be sporting a 6GAA and under .800 save % in his two NHL starts. He'll have zero confidence the next time he comes back.

I feel like last night's decision was 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'. You could make an argument either way, and it's hard to fault Boucher for the decision he made.

It's easy to Monday morning QB the decision to start Condon. If I were the coach, I probably would have gone to Drieger, too, but that doesn't mean the decision Boucher made was the wrong one.

Drieger looked terrible in his only game in the NHL this season. He also has pretty bad numbers in the AHL this season.

It didn't take a hockey analyst to know that last night's game was going to be high scoring. When you have two tired teams, it's usually the defense that suffers first.

Let's say we put in Drieger last night and the Sens played the same way in front of him. At best, he would have allowed 3 goals. At best. The first two, Condon had no chance on. There was also a breakway goal in the 3rd with a nice move. So that's three. Odds are Drieger would have allowed at least a couple more based on how the teams were trading chances.

So let's say that happened.. Driger gets lit up instead of Condon. Now his only two games in the NHL this season were terrible. He'll be sporting a 6GAA and under .800 save % in his two NHL starts. He'll have zero confidence the next time he comes back.

I feel like last night's decision was 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'. You could make an argument either way, and it's hard to fault Boucher for the decision he made.
- Charliebox

I agree with you. It's always easy in retrospect to blame someone for what you think is a bad decision. In this case, I don't buy that it was a bad decision to start with. Condon has played pretty solid for us and has gotten us 7 points out of 8. As a coach, you manage your assets based on what will yield the best result the day of. It's the general manager's responsibility to notify the coach for anything that involves long term planning. Boucher went with his best goalie. Condon is not yet at a point of being exhausted or overstretched. Maybe you can see how he can loose a little more as he keeps playing more games, but he won 7 points out of the 8 last possible points. To me, it would have been insulting to take him out at this point to put in a tender with no experience. Anderson is suppose to come back soon and even if you think this means 8 mores games for Condon, I remember ssome having the same concerns about him 15 games ago. He's held the fort formidably.

It's easy to Monday morning QB the decision to start Condon. If I were the coach, I probably would have gone to Drieger, too, but that doesn't mean the decision Boucher made was the wrong one.

Drieger looked terrible in his only game in the NHL this season. He also has pretty bad numbers in the AHL this season.

It didn't take a hockey analyst to know that last night's game was going to be high scoring. When you have two tired teams, it's usually the defense that suffers first.

Let's say we put in Drieger last night and the Sens played the same way in front of him. At best, he would have allowed 3 goals. At best. The first two, Condon had no chance on. There was also a breakway goal in the 3rd with a nice move. So that's three. Odds are Drieger would have allowed at least a couple more based on how the teams were trading chances.

So let's say that happened.. Driger gets lit up instead of Condon. Now his only two games in the NHL this season were terrible. He'll be sporting a 6GAA and under .800 save % in his two NHL starts. He'll have zero confidence the next time he comes back.

I feel like last night's decision was 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'. You could make an argument either way, and it's hard to fault Boucher for the decision he made.
- Charliebox

This is a fair point. He'd likely have had teh one flubbed by condon, but perhaps not another shot.

Leafs and Columbus are two teams with a lot of firepower, tough game to put a oalie into for either.

Even if someone wants to put some blame on condon, I'd say he's earned a pass with his play so far.

The Sens are 10 games over .500 and 3 pts in a playoff position with 5 games in hand.

Anyway you slice it, the Sens are kicking ass.

They just got 7 of a possible 8 points, and 11 of a possible 14 pts in their last 7 games, all against playoff teams.

After this week, they have a total of nine games against current playoff teams for the rest of the season. They also have only one non-EST road trip left and it's against Dal/Col/Ari.

All of this they've done with a backup goalie they picked up for a 5th rounder.

Sure, there are individuals who have under performed this season, but, as a team they have certainly exceeded expectations.

I'm usually one of the negative ones around here, but any negativity is crazy right now.

*I am putting Toronto in the playoffs and Boston, out - based on the sheer number of games Boston has played.

Jared Crozier: Senators snag point in high-scoring battle, do their goalies a dis-service
- JaredCrozier

Thank god this was an exciting game......better then watching NE and ATL perform slaughter in front of everyone...

The Sens are 10 games over .500 and 3 pts in a playoff position with 5 games in hand.

Anyway you slice it, the Sens are kicking ass.

They just got 7 of a possible 8 points, and 11 of a possible 14 pts in their last 7 games, all against playoff teams.

After this week, they have a total of nine games against current playoff teams for the rest of the season. They also have only one non-EST road trip left and it's against Dal/Col/Ari.

All of this they've done with a backup goalie they picked up for a 5th rounder.

Sure, there are individuals who have under performed this season, but, as a team they have certainly exceeded expectations.

I'm usually one of the negative ones around here, but any negativity is crazy right now.

*I am putting Toronto in the playoffs and Boston, out - based on the sheer number of games Boston has played.

Exactly this.

I would also say that this notion of goalies not being able to handle starts is kind of crazy. Brodeur did it, so did Roy, Hasek, Belfour, Lundqvist etc...Not to mention Glen Hall from the Wings/Blackhawks who from 1956-1962 had 500 straight starts. (hall of famer by the way)

Personally, I think the only way a goalie gets better is to get more consecutive starts.

The Sens are 10 games over .500 and 3 pts in a playoff position with 5 games in hand.

Anyway you slice it, the Sens are kicking ass.

They just got 7 of a possible 8 points, and 11 of a possible 14 pts in their last 7 games, all against playoff teams.

After this week, they have a total of nine games against current playoff teams for the rest of the season. They also have only one non-EST road trip left and it's against Dal/Col/Ari.

All of this they've done with a backup goalie they picked up for a 5th rounder.

Sure, there are individuals who have under performed this season, but, as a team they have certainly exceeded expectations.

I'm usually one of the negative ones around here, but any negativity is crazy right now.

*I am putting Toronto in the playoffs and Boston, out - based on the sheer number of games Boston has played.
- Charliebox

spatso will be very happy to see your positive post

Ottawa is looking really good right now and I would expect that they will look pretty much the same after the trade deadline for the following reasons:

-they are winning and playing well with the T6 they have..... if it aint broke, don't fix it
- the asking price for T6 is simply just too high
- to get a T6 winger, they will giving up multiple pcs in return. lack of depth is a risk on this team. Giving up 2-3 pcs will only add to add to the level of risk

Again..... no Andy, no Mac and yet they are still doing really well.

There's no need for negativity because the Sens are somehow managing to continue picking up points and hang in the race for a spot in the playoffs. That being said, it's absolutely ludicrous to keep riding Condon 'hoping' he doesn't get hurt simply because there is apparently little to no confidence in the AHL goaltenders we have currently. If that's the case, trade them for a goaltender who can do the job!

Matt O'Connor (6' 6") is only 24 years old and considering the fact that most (if not all) teams want tall goaltenders, I'm sure a deal could be had if he was packaged with another asset. Wait! Why not actually play the kid in a game or two?

People were quick to dismiss him after Melnyk publicly lashed out at Cameron for starting him in a 3-1 (stopping 31 of 34 shots) loss to Montreal. It wasn't exactly a thrashing and he had actually beat Montreal 5-4 a few days earlier after being outshot 37-15. That 3-1 loss was the last time he played for Ottawa - seriously? Give the kid another shot and give Condon a well-earned rest. What's the worst that can happen? We lose a game? Big whoop. On the other hand, O'Connor may actually play well and that helps the entire organization in many positive ways, while not playing him at all reeks of negativity and hurts it immeasurably more.

spatso will be very happy to see your positive post

Ottawa is looking really good right now and I would expect that they will look pretty much the same after the trade deadline for the following reasons:

-they are winning and playing well with the T6 they have..... if it aint broke, don't fix it
- the asking price for T6 is simply just too high
- to get a T6 winger, they will giving up multiple pcs in return. lack of depth is a risk on this team. Giving up 2-3 pcs will only add to add to the level of risk

Again..... no Andy, no Mac and yet they are still doing really well.
- SensnRBs

There is no rush to do anything right now. The rest of the Sens schedule is enough of a layup that if this group can't get into the playoffs comfortably, then they don't deserve to be there.

At this point, I say wait till the deadline when there are more teams 'out of it'. This season is shaping up much differently than seasons past. There is becoming a clear line between the playoff contenders and the non-playoff teams. By the time the deadline rolls around, there will be at least 10 teams that know they aren't bound for the playoffs.

Sidenote: don't even bother saying 'no Mac'. There hasn't been a 'Mac' for two years and he's done.

Not sure if it was mentioned earlier, but they did the same thing a few years ago when Lehner was starting and the unknown Hammond was backing up. Hammond would have never seen the ice if Lehner didn't get hurt in the same play that unfortunately hurt MacArthur

I think O'Connor had a decent AHL game Friday night. I would have had him start and Dreiger be the backup.

JUST fantasy talk...but what would your lines be if the Sens got Duchene.....say White, Dzingel, MacArthur removed from line up:

Matt O'Connor (6' 6") is only 24 years old and considering the fact that most (if not all) teams want tall goaltenders, I'm sure a deal could be had if he was packaged with another asset. Wait! Why not actually play the kid in a game or two?

I totally agree with you! The hype surrounding this kid when he came out of college
was crazy... still don't understand why he did not get more than two NHL start

Matt O'Connor (6' 6") is only 24 years old and considering the fact that most (if not all) teams want tall goaltenders, I'm sure a deal could be had if he was packaged with another asset. Wait! Why not actually play the kid in a game or two?

I totally agree with you! The hype surrounding this kid when he came out of college
was crazy... still don't understand why he did not get more than two NHL start


- ShaneP22

Because they wanted him to develop and play in the ahl rather than ride the pine in the nhl

The Ottawa Waiters - seems like an appropriate name for the management of this club. It started with MacArthur as they waited, and waited and waited for him to return instead of being proactive and getting a solid replacement. The team would likely have been stronger overall with a top 6 replacement who would have been playing half a season with the Sens already. Yet we waited. Had Mac returned we'd have a pleasant problem in another solid player in the lineup. Instead, he's out (likely retiring) and we have squat to fill in as a permanent replacement. Anyone brought in now (not holding my breath) will likely be overpriced and certainly won't slide in this late in the season like they could have in October.

Then there's Anderson who the Sens went fairly proactive and acquired Condon as a 'fill in' during his absence. Now we are somehow unable to play a game without him while we wait for Andy's return. I can understand hesitating using Driedger (BTW - Who gives a rats behind if playing him results in a loss "hurting his confidence", as one poster stated. Sitting and watching game after game because the Coach, GM apparently has no confidence in you seems more crippling.), but the apparent refusal to use O'Connor for some reason and wait for Anderson, or an injury to Condon, before putting him in is a travesty. Is it a coincidence that O'Connor has not started for the Sens since Melnyk's rant over starting him in a 3-1 loss to Montreal? Is he a poor goaltender, or a victim of Melnyk's comments? Have Dorion and/or Boucher been 'told' not to play him? Let's wait, maybe Andy can come back (for how long though?). Maybe Hammond will heal and get a shot? Let's just cross our fingers and wait and hope nothing happens to Condon and hope he continues to play well. PS Being a starter and being a backup are two different animals. Condon is a backup.

The Lazar wait. First, this kid gets rushed in by the powers that be and he struggles, but instead of sending him to the AHL and waiting for him to properly develop - here we are. I feel sorry for the kid! He has been so poorly managed as a player that I wonder if he can recover? He's expected to be productive offensively, yet he plays on the 4th line with hands-of-stone line-mates with zero creativity. Boucher seems content to wait for him to break out before giving him a consistent shot on a top line. What a joke. Last night he saw a 'little' (very little) action with some skilled players and he looked really good. He also looked like he was actually enjoying playing hockey for a change. What are they waiting for? Can't they see the life being sucked out of Lazar? Would it hurt the team to put him up a few lines for a couple of games and actually see what he does with some skilled line-mates? No. They'll wait and we'll watch as he struggles for no good reason. He's too good to be on the 4th line. Play him or put him out of his misery and Puempel/Prince him to another team, but for F**k's sake, stop waiting!

Smith extended for 4 years at 3.25

That's a pretty good contract

Smith extended for 4 years at 3.25

That's a pretty good contract
- sensarmy_11

I'm sure Smith likes it

Smith extended for 4 years at 3.25

That's a pretty good contract
- sensarmy_11

Good for who? Smith?

Scored more goals then any Leaf or Wings player last year and they are in here chirping



It's a great deal. Low cap hit/term. Great signing from Dorion.

Smith extended for 4 years at 3.25
That's a pretty good contract
- sensarmy_11

It's a lot of money for a guy who likely won't crack 40pts in his career... but Smith brings a lot of versatility in being able to play centre or wing, contribute on both special teams, and fit in on pretty much any line as needed. Plus, he's got a solid work ethic, has no problem going to the front of the net, and is more that willing to get involved with the rough stuff. Or, as Dorion noted: "any time there's a scrum he punched people in the head. I like that" (TSN).

Basically, if this means that the team will part ways with the 4th line enforcer role once Chris Neil retires, then it's probably worth it.

It's a lot of money for a guy who likely won't crack 40pts in his career... but Smith brings a lot of versatility in being able to play centre or wing, contribute on both special teams, and fit in on pretty much any line as needed. Plus, he's got a solid work ethic, has no problem going to the front of the net, and is more that willing to get involved with the rough stuff. Or, as Dorion noted: "any time there's a scrum he punched people in the head. I like that" (TSN).

Basically, if this means that the team will part ways with the 4th line enforcer role once Chris Neil retires, then it's probably worth it.
- khawk

Money is good imo......he would have almost surely gotten more on the open market this zummer

It's a lot of money for a guy who likely won't crack 40pts in his career...
- khawk

Yes, we should have low-balled him like the Canucks' $4.5M a year Alex Burrows is making to average barely a point every 3 games over the last 4 seasons.

I know, I know, it's important to reward players for what they did 5 or more years ago to keep yourself in contention, see Sisters, Sedins, currently averaging 28 points this year to Smith's mere 22 in 5 games less, with 0 points on the powerplay for Smith (and 2 shorties) vs 19 combined for the sisters during gift time. Interestingly Smith is on a pace for 40 points, but unfortunately not eating up $7M in cap space.

Good for who? Smith?
- Feds91Stammer

Abdelkaders contract is looking great for the next 6 years...