So you miss a little, you miss a lot apparently.
I am out of town for the weekend, and try as I did I was unable to access a feed of the Senators - Lightning game where I am.
So all I can go by is the boxscores and highlight reel, which was more low-light when it came to the Senators' performange. Again, just looking at the box-score, as well as the comments from yesterday's post, it looked like another game where Ottawa was in it for a period but then allowed the other team to take over.
Combine that with the fact that Bobby Ryan is now out for a while with a broken finger courtesy the Florida Panthers and that spells trouble for the Senators, and (at least some) fans seem to be reaching their breaking point with this edition of the Senators.
Ryan's injury means the imminent return of Marc Methot from IR will not necessitate a roster move, but the play of the team might. Eklund reported last night that Mikkel Boedker of the Arizona Coyotes might be heading east, and he mentioned the Senators as a possible landing spot. Not that he alone would be the cure for what ails the Senators, but would be a top 6 talent who might just need a fresh start. And the Senators have a trading history with the 'Yotes, but I think Don Maloney might keep his guard up in dealing with Bryan Murray after the last time they dealt the Senators fleeced the Coyotes, nabbing Kyle Turris for David Rundblad. (I stand to be corrected on that being the last deal between the clubs, but it is the last significant deal). It is two struggling teams in need of a shake-up and Boedker is a pending restricted free agent that won't likely command over the top money.
So back to the game, here are some strictly subjective observations:
*It looks like Michalek-Zibanejad-Greening was a thing, and not a very good one
* The re-united Kid Line didn't play much, but weren't hurting the team, and probably deserve more ice time
* Lehner was under seige and was ok, but not spectacular, and if the Senators goaltending isn't great on any given night the team doesn't win.
* Each defensive pair had a gaffe that led to an even strength goal against, and the team is still a gong-show in its own end.
So, this time you guys tell me...even though most of those points can be said for the season in a nutshell, how close am I?
Now, keeping in mind that this loss was to the best team in the Atlantic Division (and yes, the Bolts are better than the Habs, sorry to those fans of the Bleu, Blanc et Rouge), I am not going to get too worried and wash my hands of their chances to do something quite yet. But this is a tough stretch of games and they need to find points somewhere, which they aren't doing. Next up is a back to back against the Islanders, who are probably the hottest team in the NHL right now,and the Sens need something positive to happen and soon.
Cue Alfie. T-minus-5 days till THE RETURN.