It was an emotional tribute to the fallen soldiers prior to Saturday night's game, and it was just like Canada - To the point, understated, not over the top, pretty much perfect. You could hear a pin drop in all three arenas where the ceremony was simulcast, and I don't think 60,000 people have ever been so quiet for so long during the moment of silence. I watched it again after returning home from the game and once again welled up. Being there was a great experience I will never forget, with the only thing that might have made it better was if they had played Stephen Brunt's essay that Sportsnet showed in the broadcast prior to the game in the arenas themselves before the ceremony. While the combination of the fans singing French and English versions at the same time might have sounded confusing, it was really a perfect statement of what this country is all about.
After that great show of emotion and tribute, there was a game to be played...
The Senators once again had lapses in their game that lasted for extended periods of time, and yesterday I though that special teams might decide this game. Sure enough, it was an overtime power play goal from Jaromir Jagr that was the difference as the Devils escaped Ottawa with a 3-2 win.
Here are some random thoughts from the game
*Ottawa is a two line team at the moment, at least 5 on 5. The Turris and Legwand lines are working hard to gain momentum and then the Zibanejad and Smith lines seem to let is slip away. One of my biggest peeves with last season was that MacLean didn't give Spezza-Ryan enough of a chance to succeed. Zibanejad and Ryan might yet work out, but it is tough to watch at the moment. In fact, for the last period Paul MacLean reunited Turris-MacArthur-Ryan and also shuffled his other lines in the third period looking for a spark. It will be interesting to see what the lineup looks like in Chicago Sunday night.
*Both power play units could be accused of not being selfish enough and refusing to shoot the puck and instead trying for the highlight reel pass, especially in the first period. It was very effective, but passing up scoring chances is something this team can't afford to do. They seemed to correct that later on, capitalizing twice with the man advantage, with both goals coming from the "second unit".
*As the saying goes, "Don't poke the bear" and that is what the Devils did when Chris Phillips came to aid of Erik Karlsson after a jarring hit in the Senators corner by Tuomo Ruutu. Ruutu saw the "Big Rig" coming and all he could do was hold on for dear life. Phillips took an extra penalty on the play, but that is one the team wouldn't mind, although the Devils did go up 2-1 on the ensuing power play.
*I covered the Ottawa 67's for two seasons, a year and a half while Cody Ceci was there, and if you had told me then that he would a mainstay on an NHL penalty kill within his first year, I would have laughed at you. He has not taken a step back at all this season although I am not quite sure why he isn't getting some power play time. He has been perhaps the most consistent blueliner this season.
*The Senators held their opposition under 30 shots for the first time this season. And they lost. You can't put the blame on Lehner, who was under siege in the second half of the second period as well as the overtime. The Senators let down after Chiasson's opening goal and were outshot 10-0 in the rest of the period, by my quick count.
*This will be an opportunity to get Jared Cowen into a game. Some of the Ottawa blueliners struggled and taking out Wiercioch or Gryba to get Cowen some action wouldn't be a bad thing. The Senators play a lot of games in the next month and keeping fresh legs will be important.
* The combination of Mike Hoffman and David Legwand is really good. They have great chemistry on the ice and every shift they seem to make something happen in the offensive end. Then they were separated in the lineup shuffle. If there was any combination I would have kept together, it would have been 17-68.
* Still waiting for some consistency from Ryan. Is this 1 goal, 1 assist performance going to trigger a breakout? He has has games like this before, but the key is following it up with a similar performance.
*Clarke MacArthur protested his high-sticking penalty in overtime, and I think he might have a case for himself. When he made contact with Zidlicky's face, the Devils defenseman was bent over and his head was at almost waist level. By NHL Rule 60.1 High-sticking - A “high stick… is one which is carried above the height of the opponent’s shoulders. Players and goalkeepers must be in control and responsible for their stick. How is MacArthur supposed to expect to know that Zidlicky's head is that low? For me that is kind of a grey area in the rules and in my opinion MacArthur's stick never went above his waist and that cannot be high sticking just because Zidlicky has his head down to waist level. The winning goal came about as a result of that power play and it cost the Senators a point.
ON TO CHICAGO
There is no rest for the weary as the Senators get right back at it as the team and their fathers boarded a plane after the game for Chicago to kick off their two game roadie that will see them stop in Columbus on Tuesday before a return engagement with the Hawks on Thursday as Canadian Tire Centre.
The Hawks are without starting goalie Corey Crawford, who has missed the last 3 Chicago games with an upper body injury, and coach Joel Quenneville indicated to ESPNChicago.com that Joel Darling could make his NHL debut against the Senators. Antti Raanta started the three games that Crawford has missed thus far, with a record of 1-2 after the loss in St Louis.
Chicago has stumbled out of the blocks a bit, partially because they had such a light schedule to start the season. They are just now catching up to their counterparts in terms of games played, and missing Crawford just when it got busy has hurt. This will be Chicago's 3rd game in 4 nights.
Craig Anderson will be between the pipes for Ottawa as reported yesterday, making his 9th career start against his former team. He has had an up and down career against the Hawks, as you would expect most goalies in the last 5 years or so have, given their success rate and prolific offense. He made 46 saves in a 5-3 win the last time he played in his hometown, last March.
The Senators had better not rely on special teams against the Hawks, who have the 3rd best penalty kill in the league, which is the only standout unit on either team. Their power plays are converting at a similar rate, and the Senators penalty kill is in the lower tier of the NHL, ranked 22nd.
Sorry if this one was a bit long-winded but it is busy times!