Very sloppy 2nd and some concerning trends continuing from last year. This team cannot get rattled when they get scored on and loose any momentum they had. Happened all the time last year. This team isn't going to prevent a lot of goals but they should score a lot. The team cannot roll over once things don't go their way.

The chemistry is a work in progress. Unrealistic to assume it would all click in game 1 but it was sort of strange to see the Sens not even try the classic cross ice pass to Norris on the right side for the one-timer. Maybe they are trying to diversify or Buffalo was protecting against that play well?

3rd period will be telling if the squad can bounce back from a lacklustre 2nd.

Very sloppy 2nd and some concerning trends continuing from last year. This team cannot get rattled when they get scored on and loose any momentum they had. Happened all the time last year. This team isn't going to prevent a lot of goals but they should score a lot. The team cannot roll over once things don't go their way.

The chemistry is a work in progress. Unrealistic to assume it would all click in game 1 but it was sort of strange to see the Sens not even try the classic cross ice pass to Norris on the right side for the one-timer. Maybe they are trying to diversify or Buffalo was protecting against that play well?

3rd period will be telling if the squad can bounce back from a lacklustre 2nd.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

They still look rattled in the third period. Chemistry takes time, I am with you!

Defense TOI - Chabot 14:50, Sanders 14:55, Hamonic 13:57, Zub 10:17, both Branny and Holder 10min. No way Zub should be getting the same TOI as Branny and Holden!
- Kevin Francis

I hear what you're saying, but the knock has been on DJ for not having any patience with the younger players. Branny's having one of the better games we've seen and is playing with a bit of confidence. I see nothing wrong with DJ rewarding him to build him up a little at the start of the season. It's a long 82 games, and I'd rather see Brannstrom learn that he has a bit of leeway to use his talent early on. Not really sure why Holden is playing so much, other than on the PK to give Zub, Chabot and Sanderson a break.

My biggest issue with DJ & Capuano is that the puck isn't moving north enough, the defensive structure hasn't improved & the players clearly rather go east & west, than moving it north as they say. I've had a few NHL scouts people say to me tonight, nothing has changed with DJ!

Very sloppy 2nd and some concerning trends continuing from last year. This team cannot get rattled when they get scored on and loose any momentum they had. Happened all the time last year. This team isn't going to prevent a lot of goals but they should score a lot. The team cannot roll over once things don't go their way.

The chemistry is a work in progress. Unrealistic to assume it would all click in game 1 but it was sort of strange to see the Sens not even try the classic cross ice pass to Norris on the right side for the one-timer. Maybe they are trying to diversify or Buffalo was protecting against that play well?

3rd period will be telling if the squad can bounce back from a lacklustre 2nd.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Really, the only forwards that have been positively noticeable this game have been Tkachuk and Stutzle. Batherson and Norris have both been basically non-existent on the ice, and the Pinto-Motte-Joseph line has been outplayed all game. Not sure I agree with DJ swapping centremen on the first two lines.

Too many one and done offensive zone possessions as well. The forecheck has been very soft.

some new characters but same old story, Sens lose

Sens fans, Zub shouldn't be getting the 2nd least amount of icetime on the blueline....DJ cant manage the bench let alone coach. Awful!

Really, the only forwards that have been positively noticeable this game have been Tkachuk and Stutzle. Batherson and Norris have both been basically non-existent on the ice, and the Pinto-Motte-Joseph line has been outplayed all game. Not sure I agree with DJ swapping centremen on the first two lines.

Too many one and done offensive zone possessions as well. The forecheck has been very soft.
- LondonSen

Absolutely! Blown offensive zone chances over and over! Zero forecheck!

I'm listening to a lot of nonsense from the monkeys on the post game show so I'll just balance things out a bit..

Chabot is the Sens best D man by a mile.

Zub is not a number 2 D and Hamonic is not a number 4 D. Neither is Brannstrom although I did like his game.

When you start off looking good and get a quick PP you don't play Motte on the PP to kill your momentum. You play your proven number 1 PP to see if you can rev things up even more.

Best players tonight were Chabot, Sanderson, Forsgerg, Batherson, and Stutzle. There were a few others like Kastelec, Zub and even Watson that were OK.

I should be mentioning Tkachuk and Norris but for guys making 8 million a year they just didn't cut it. To be fair they usually play together.

Now that you've got DeBrincat and Norris playing together and the coaches strategy for the team is to get the puck into the hands of those two guys that might be asking a bit much of a smallish and older Giroux expecting him to go get the puck all the time.

Kelly shouldn't be in the lineup.

When the Sabres got the puck into the Sens D zone they looked like they had a plan and knew what they were going to do. A lot of teams play with a plan. Somebody should tell Smith.

Not the ideal outcome, but at least one Sens goalie killed it tonight. Good on Craig Anderson.

Not the ideal outcome, but at least one Sens goalie killed it tonight. Good on Craig Anderson.
- Bartacus

He won this game for them when they need him most!

I'm listening to a lot of nonsense from the monkeys on the post game show so I'll just balance things out a bit..

Chabot is the Sens best D man by a mile.

Zub is not a number 2 D and Hamonic is not a number 4 D. Neither is Brannstrom although I did like his game.

When you start off looking good and get a quick PP you don't play Motte on the PP to kill your momentum. You play your proven number 1 PP to see if you can rev things up even more.

Best players tonight were Chabot, Sanderson, Forsgerg, Batherson, and Stutzle. There were a few others like Kastelec, Zub and even Watson that were OK.

I should be mentioning Tkachuk and Norris but for guys making 8 million a year they just didn't cut it. To be fair they usually play together.

Now that you've got DeBrincat and Norris playing together and the coaches strategy for the team is to get the puck into the hands of those two guys that might be asking a bit much of a smallish and older Giroux expecting him to go get the puck all the time.

Kelly shouldn't be in the lineup.
- Whatisavailable

Well said, Chucky and Norris.......were very average tonight. Kelly has no business bei in the line up but the coach thinks he's terrific.......when asked this summer what he was looking forward to most with this group.....he said Kelly.....like seriously.....how many other skilled players should he be saying.......before kelly!

Spatso? Spatso?

Spatso? Spatso?
- Canada Cup

lol......no forecheck by this team tonight! Just awful.....enough of this coach....we know the end of the story....

Decent game by the team but they didn't generate enough high danger scoring chances.

The defence is improved with Brannstrom in and Zaitsev out. Sanderson looked solid. Defensive zone coverage is still an issue.

Buffalo is a big team. They have the foundation for a high end defense with Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin. It looks they finally are getting their rebuild right.

My biggest issue with DJ & Capuano is that the puck isn't moving north enough, the defensive structure hasn't improved & the players clearly rather go east & west, than moving it north as they say. I've had a few NHL scouts people say to me tonight, nothing has changed with DJ!
- Kevin Francis

I think DJ will be gone soon, you'll get your wish

Did Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson even get looks tonight or what!!?

Decent game by the team but they didn't generate enough high danger scoring chances.

The defence is improved with Brannstrom in and Zaitsev out. Sanderson looked solid. Defensive zone coverage is still an issue.

Buffalo is a big team. They have the foundation for a high end defense with Owen Power and Rasmus Dahlin. It looks they finally are getting their rebuild right.
- SensFan25

They played a solid 1st period.....end of story. Branny is a huge upgrade on Zaitsev. Major major concerns with their defensive zone coverage....Sabres looked solid....their coaching staff has them playing a system...as I stated......Sens don't have the puck moving north enough....there is no rhyme or reason on how they break out of their defensive zone!

Zub shouldn't be getting the 2nd least amount of icetime
- Kevin Francis

I believe Zub is still not 100% healthy, so they probably didn't want to stress his body.

I think DJ will be gone soon, you'll get your wish

Did Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson even get looks tonight or what!!?
- AlfieisKing

It really has to happen...not a damn thing has changed from last year with this coach. Sens fans kept saying oh its the preseason, they will flip the switch.....like you said so far too many players didn't get looks tonight.

I believe Zub is still not 100% healthy, so they probably didn't want to stress his body.
- PogBoi

Well if that is case, that is problem.....this team is already thin on defense....Zub at 75% is a problem.

I mean, it's one game but starting with a loss to what by most pro estimates is a weaker division team is not a great way to kick things off. On the plus, finally seeing Zaitsev benched is very promising.

I got sucked into all the Sens hype and bet them, dumb ass me, ive said over and over how your coach will fail this team, he showed all of us again why DJ shouldn’t be an NHL coach

I mean, it's one game but starting with a loss to what by most pro estimates is a weaker division team is not a great way to kick things off. On the plus, finally seeing Zaitsev benched is very promising.
- Bartacus

Your coach made no in game adjustments and looked as lost as he has for three years

Your coach made no in game adjustments and looked as lost as he has for three years
- PuckPix

You're not getting any arguments here!

It really has to happen...not a damn thing has changed from last year with this coach. Sens fans kept saying oh its the preseason, they will flip the switch.....like you said so far too many players didn't get looks tonight.
- Kevin Francis

Right..... I can see what your saying with DJ. There's times in the game I feel like the right players aren't put in the right spots !