Jared Crozier: Mission accomplished - Senators sweep Canada West with win over Oilers

A very impressive road trip. I do not look forward to playing Ottawa at home next Saturday night.

They must come back home very happy, great road trip. Let's go Sens!

This team is looking like the real deal right now. Sprinkle in a top 3 ranked world player should only benefit .The team play is off the charts

Good write up.

One question, how much is the Sens "taking their foot off the gas", and how much is it Boucher's system, of defensive protection of a lead.

Either way, good stuff. Another opportunity coming up, since they have the Canucks coming up. Hope they can take advantage because then it's the Devils Leafs and Kings .

Good write up.

One question, how much is the Sens "taking their foot off the gas", and how much is it Boucher's system, of defensive protection of a lead.

Either way, good stuff. Another opportunity coming up, since they have the Canucks coming up. Hope they can take advantage because then it's the Devils Leafs and Kings .
- david22

Sorry that was an error and it read the opposite of what I intended to say...they didn't take their foot off the gas, and scored 7 goals in the 3rd periods of the last 2 games.

Although I am new to posting, I have been following your blog for quite some time. I wanted to say thank you for all of the work you put in. I try to read all of your blogs.

This entire Hockeybuzz website is a great spot that I often recommend to fellow hockey fans of any team. Even the writers on the Leafs blogs are good. I would imagine this might be a spot that launches careers in sports journalism.

Now that I have dispensed with the pleasantires...

I really can't say enough about the 2017-2018 version of the Senators. They are playing a complete team game right now and it is fun to watch. They are winning the battles and scoring on their opportunities. It appears we ran into a couple of Alberta teams that were struggling, but the team put them away in convincing fashion.

I know that it is unrealistic to think they can keep up this kind of play over an 82 game schedule, but I can't help but dream. We are currently on pace to finish 49-0-33. That probably won't be good enough to finish ahead of the Leafs (according to most Toronto area sports writers), but should be good enough to sneak into the playoffs and then who knows what can happen. I know I say this every year, but this year we are going to win the Stanley Cup.

I know I have my tickets for Tuesday's game. I hope that some of you can make it out.

Go Sens Go!

Stone or Hoffman for points ??

The boys are flying!!!

Both Chabot and Jaros have improved each game. Didn't really notice Oduya last night but I guess that's a good thing. Gotta give Ceci some credit as well. After a disaster 3rd period against the Caps, he's really played well at both ends of the ice.

Only thing I would tweak up front is taking Burrows off the PP. I understand that you want someone screening the goalie but the puck is like a grenade on his stick. They seem to always be moving the puck well and then the second it's hits his tape it's a turnover and the puck is down the ice.

The System is in full effect!

Thanks. People are finally starting to wake up to the fact that the oilers are flawed.

Good road trip.

Stone or Hoffman for points ??
- Santo_44

Over the course of the season? Assuming both stay healthy: Stone for points, Hoffman for goals. Stone is riskier though, with his history of concussions.

I don't mean to burst the bubble - because this team, the goalies, the system, the heart - and of course the fans should be celebrated....

but until this team has a true star forward - they won't be a true contender.

IF this team had ONE solid forward - and I'll say center (replace a Brassard with Toews, Mathews, Tavares, Stamkos) then in my books, this team is in the top 3 for years as contenders. That's not to put Brass down but with a game breaker like that, their winning a cup or at least likely to.

If they can't get that, then you have to try and land Duchene. IF they have to give up Chabot - and can get a Barrie back in the process, I would consider that as well. With Karlsson back, they can afford the loss on defense to upgrade up front. They'd need to add maybe 1 more rental D and resign him after the trade deadline or Oduya steps up but this team is too close NOT to pull the trigger at some point

Thanks. People are finally starting to wake up to the fact that the oilers are flawed.

Good road trip.
- Iggysbff

Interesting.... hope they figure it out....
maybe some depth moves will help

I don't mean to burst the bubble - because this team, the goalies, the system, the heart - and of course the fans should be celebrated....

but until this team has a true star forward - they won't be a true contender.

IF this team had ONE solid forward - and I'll say center (replace a Brassard with Toews, Mathews, Tavares, Stamkos) then in my books, this team is in the top 3 for years as contenders. That's not to put Brass down but with a game breaker like that, their winning a cup or at least likely to.

If they can't get that, then you have to try and land Duchene. IF they have to give up Chabot - and can get a Barrie back in the process, I would consider that as well. With Karlsson back, they can afford the loss on defense to upgrade up front. They'd need to add maybe 1 more rental D and resign him after the trade deadline or Oduya steps up but this team is too close NOT to pull the trigger at some point
- AlfieisKing

alright, i have to respond to this.

your first para says the team can't win because they don't have a true star forward. your second para says that the answer to that problem is to go out and get a forward who isn't much better than what we already have. is duchene better than turris and bras? probably.......but is the difference between them so much that it makes this team a contender......(frank) no, give your head a shake man.

duchene is what, a 60pt player at best.........he's not close to being anywhere near in the same league as the guys you mentioned above....so how exactly does he make ottawa a top 3 team?


edit - by the way, the guys you mentioned aren't "solid forwards", they're (frank)ing elite top end forwards. ottawa is stacked with solid forwards, hell i'd go so far as to say that guys like turris, stone, hoffman, hell even ryan this year are more than solid.

people need to get off this "we need an elite center" bullpoop. the only way we're getting one is to tank, and there is no way they're doing that right now. accept that if this team is going to win it will be with 2nd tier, but still very good centers.......similar to what Boston did. and before everyone gets all uppity, no i'm not saying turris is bergeron .

Chabot and Formenton sent down.

Trade for Duchene


Avs are ready

I don't mean to burst the bubble - because this team, the goalies, the system, the heart - and of course the fans should be celebrated....

but until this team has a true star forward - they won't be a true contender.

IF this team had ONE solid forward - and I'll say center (replace a Brassard with Toews, Mathews, Tavares, Stamkos) then in my books, this team is in the top 3 for years as contenders. That's not to put Brass down but with a game breaker like that, their winning a cup or at least likely to.

If they can't get that, then you have to try and land Duchene. IF they have to give up Chabot - and can get a Barrie back in the process, I would consider that as well. With Karlsson back, they can afford the loss on defense to upgrade up front. They'd need to add maybe 1 more rental D and resign him after the trade deadline or Oduya steps up but this team is too close NOT to pull the trigger at some point
- AlfieisKing

I disagree. Yes Duchene is good but not a big upgrade and not worthy of an A+ calibre prospect like Chabot. You say bonafide elite centre wins you cups, but i would argue that defense and goaltending wins you cups moreso. Sens went to ECF last year and surprised a lot of people but they did do on merit, they played very well defensively and let the offense pick up whenever it could. Under guy Boucher, the system is built around solid defense and counter attacks, turris and brassy have shown to be quite good defensively and at counterattack. duchene is horrible defensively... Therefore, less turnovers, less counterattacks, less goals scored and more goals scored against. There are plenty other bonafide centres I would like on our team, but Duchene isn't one of them.