Great hockey game.

I think this is what we had hoped to see all season.

Goaltending makes a difference.

Just saw a stat Sens are 1-18 when trailing heading into the third... Hopefully this is win #2! Tied it up though! Let's go!
- PogBoi

1-18-1 now lol

Good effort against a much better team. Think Sens could have won if they stopped trying to do fancy passes during some close moments.

Just saw a stat Sens are 1-18 when trailing heading into the third... Hopefully this is win #2! Tied it up though! Let's go!
- PogBoi

I bet the record is pretty similar when leading heading into the third

In his past 12 games, Parker Kelly has 5 goals and 1 assist (+2). Should he be included in a package to get back a better player? I like the guy but Ottawa needs to improve their bottom 6 and I don't see him being part of the team when they compete for a cup

Sens needs to study this seasons oilers, their turnaround is spectacular and show's you don't need a major trade to shake things up.

I think sens needs to hire their permanent coach asap, the more time he has to work with the team the faster they will learn his system and learn to play defense.

we can only hope that the 6 years of bad habits and coaching by smith gets undone before next season.

Great hockey game.

I think this is what we had hoped to see all season.

Goaltending makes a difference.
- spatso

Nobody is going to complain about a 2-1 OT loss when they played as well as they did vs. WPG. But that wasn't goaltending... it was a team playing an intelligent, mature NHL-quality hockey game for a full 60 minutes (+OT), and hugely limiting the number of quality scoring chances against. It's amazing to hear in interviews how basic some of things are that they're having to focus on or re-learn... which only provides further evidence of how inadequate their previous coaching had been. The players are starting to genuinely buy into the system now, and the results are showing all over the ice.

Sens needs to study this seasons oilers, their turnaround is spectacular and show's you don't need a major trade to shake things up.

I think sens needs to hire their permanent coach asap, the more time he has to work with the team the faster they will learn his system and learn to play defense.

we can only hope that the 6 years of bad habits and coaching by smith gets undone before next season.
- Mithos

No joke, some of the comments from these players talking about what it is like under the new coaching regime make you think: WTF was DJ even saying to these guys?

As to the trade suggestions so far in this thread none seem worth doing at this point. I think we have good players that needed a kick in the pants. We had a cheap owner, cheap GM and a cheap coach for half a decade with these kids.

Starting next season we'll have:

New coaching and training staff running their own training camp.
Kubalik: Out
Tarasenko: Out
Pinto: Likely In for first half of season next year.
Korpi and Forsi: Likely in and could be better or somehow out and replaced with someone better.

Grabbing a mean grunt to replace Tarasenko and letting Pinto replace Kubalik should be a solid improvement on the top six.

Moving Chych for a package and letting Kleven slide in should improve the D.

I hope we dont have to move Chabot, I like the guy. He isn't the scoring wizard from his rookie season anymore though. Would love for him to add 10-15 pounds and be more mean and develop a more all round game to adjust. He was on track, when he was rookie, to be a lesser Karlsson style but maybe he should try to be more of a lesser Hedman style guy.



I think Kubalik and Tarasenko (Not that Tara has been bad or anything) being gone in the offseason solves a lot of problems already. I think the new goalie coach and new habits being pushed already will help Korpisalo. If you can move him and get someone better fantastic but you never know with goalies he could be great next year or awful again but hopefully Sogaard or Forsberg can get their game together to offset him and maybe Korpi becomes the backup, I dunno.

who tf is Zamula. 2 goals in first 17 mins vs Sens(including one that went in after a whistle)

who tf is Zamula. 2 goals in first 17 mins vs Sens(including one that went in after a whistle)
- AlfieisKing

That 2nd goal ..... Zub either has to block the floating puck from the blueline, or get the (frank) out of the goalie's way. Zub could not have provided a better goalie screen had he been a Flyer. Can't blame Sogaard when he is being screened perfectly by his own player.

Nobody is going to complain about a 2-1 OT loss when they played as well as they did vs. WPG. But that wasn't goaltending... it was a team playing an intelligent, mature NHL-quality hockey game for a full 60 minutes (+OT), and hugely limiting the number of quality scoring chances against. It's amazing to hear in interviews how basic some of things are that they're having to focus on or re-learn... which only provides further evidence of how inadequate their previous coaching had been. The players are starting to genuinely buy into the system now, and the results are showing all over the ice.
- khawk

Oops sorry. I should have been more clear. I meant, it was their goaltender that was the difference.

I guess this is the team we were waiting for all season. More than just about winning and losing. You want to see them being in the game and relevant.

Sanderson looks like a 10 year veteran.

So glad Greig didn’t fight after that hit. I hate fights from big hits and if it happened, that goal never would have happened. Great to see the Sens string a few good games together in a row.

I'll take it. Nice game by the Sens.

Just don't start stringing together a bunch of wins now that they are down and out of playoff contention. Don't screw up our potential high draft pick.

I'll take it. Nice game by the Sens.

Just don't start stringing together a bunch of wins now that they are down and out of playoff contention. Don't screw up our potential high draft pick.
- OttawaB

That is a really hard choice. Obviously, come draft week, most of us want the best drat pick possible.

But, a team and, especially the young players, need to learn how to win and how to protect a lead going into the 3rd period.

We see lots of stuff cautioning us about 2nd half success, the fool's gold of false success.

Right now I am not sure where I stand. If they go on a hot run and continue winning I will probably crawl on board the success train. But, if they go back to losing, I think I will want them to stay down so I can cheer on our lottery chances.

The visit to Montreal Tuesday can go a long way towards setting up the rest of our season. Which Sens team is going to show up?

Zero odd man rushes by the Flyers.
That's what our goalies need.
Forsberg, Korpisalo have not been the problem.
Shooter tutor would have won that game yesterday.

Sounds like Tarasenko wants to stay.

Finally NHL hockey. Eventually Martin is going to completely take the Beer League hockey out of them. In the last 5 games they're playing .700 hockey without goaltending. Impressive!

Finally NHL hockey. Eventually Martin is going to completely take the Beer League hockey out of them. In the last 5 games they're playing .700 hockey without goaltending. Impressive!
- granpa

Yes, I noted the recent .700 pace.

But they would still come up short (at 91 points) even if they could sustain that same pace for the balance of the season.

I have never thought making the playoffs was a significant milestone other than for the experience it would give the kids. Making the playoffs and winning a Stanley Cup are entirely different challenges. For example, Chicago is probably much closer to winning a Cup than the Leafs or Pittsburgh or Washington.

I can comfortably tolerate missing the playoffs as long as we are growing along the lines suggesting the team is following a pathway in becoming a serious contender.

Zero odd man rushes by the Flyers.
That's what our goalies need.
Forsberg, Korpisalo have not been the problem.
Shooter tutor would have won that game yesterday.

Sounds like Tarasenko wants to stay.
- Octavarium

I like Tarasenko, he is +13. Only Ridley Grieg at +14 has a better +/-.

Some commentators have taken up criticizing Tarasenko for his defensive play. I don't get it.

Finally NHL hockey. Eventually Martin is going to completely take the Beer League hockey out of them. In the last 5 games they're playing .700 hockey without goaltending. Impressive!
- granpa

I'm very curious to see how Korpisalo looks with real defence and structure in front of him. Hes been able to make some big saves in the past while the team was getting lit up.

Zero odd man rushes by the Flyers.
That's what our goalies need.
Forsberg, Korpisalo have not been the problem.
Shooter tutor would have won that game yesterday.

Sounds like Tarasenko wants to stay.
- Octavarium

The dream would be for them to trade him and have him re-sign, but we know that's unlikely.

Finally NHL hockey. Eventually Martin is going to completely take the Beer League hockey out of them. In the last 5 games they're playing .700 hockey without goaltending. Impressive!
- granpa

I have to agree - there's such a different tone under Martin. How many times has he talked about playing the right way and not cheating, or handling the 200ft responsibility of your shifts. Or even about being about reacting to adversity with maturity, instead of breaking form and trying to win the game by themselves. He described their game as unprofessional when he first started, and now that we're seeing a glimpse of what they're capable of it really brings into question how they had been coached before. I know some people question the value of coaching, but try telling that to Vancouver, Edmonton, or Winnipeg right now. Hopefully the Senators can be a 4th in that group in terms of making a major turnaround under a new coach.

The play during the last several games has been much improved. The fact the Senators came back in a game against the Flyers and did not simply fold and give up when the game got tough, like they have all year, was a huge positive.

I mentioned at the time of the Martin hiring that humans take about a month for new habits to become natural. While I don’t think the team system is fixed, you are starting to see more players play more confidently with the new system. I don’t think it is a coincidence that Stu, Brady, and Sanderson seem to have taken the most significant strides the last handful of games. These are the guys many people are ok keeping and building around. Giroux, Greig, and Tarasenko have been strong under Martin. Batherson and Kelly are also looking more consistent under Martin. I think Pinto will add some good 2-way ability down the stretch. There will be some rust though.

With the positivity, there are still many lapses per 60 minutes. I have not been overly impressed with Hamonic, Zub, JBD, or Branstrom on the backend. None seem to have taken advantage of the opportunity given to them. I have also been flip flopping on who disappoints me more between Chabot and Chychrun. Neither seem to be showing they deserve a top pairing spot.

I am still not confident in either goalie at this time. I am disappointed in how Soogard looks in the crease. The scouting report sounded like he improved but he still looks a little awkward in goal and relies on the big body. I am willing to see a bigger sample size at the NHL level, but I have been underwhelmed in his two starts.

This roster has too much talent to be a bottom 2 or 3 NHL team but there are too many issues at play for this team to salvage the season. Going to be interesting to see which players step up and which do not over the next couple of months. I think fans should manage expectations for great odds in the lottery but will likely have the 5th to 10th best odds when things are all set and done. The Sharks, Jackets, Hawks, and Ducks should really be the bottom 4 teams.

Yes I don't get the pundits harping on Tarasenko defense either. I rarely see him give up on a play. Like, when he pulls a Stutzle and tries to be fancy---and loses the puck---he does whatever it takes to disrupt the play going back the other way. If you're a proven goal scorer like he is, I'm fine with taking chances. As long as you're responsible when they don't work. I also think there was real chemistry between him and Joseph at the beginning of the season. Good to see them back together.

And no....the ol'trade, resign here later thing never works.

There are only 5 teams, including the Sens, that cannot be seriously considered playoff contenders today.

And, some low ranking teams hanging unto hope (eg., Buffalo, Seattle and even Montreal) remain close enough to have some ambition about boosting their playoff hopes.

It likely means slim pickings and expensive pricing for buyers in this year's trade market. The market should strongly favour sellers.

I am not a fan of trade deadline roulette. Both buyers and sellers make really dumb moves. But this year might be different for the Sens.

I believe Sanderson is already the Sens #1 D. I do not think they can justify keeping both Chabot and Chychrun, especially if Chychrun is looking for the $8m payday.

I really like Tarasenko. I hope the Sens can sign him to a fair deal in the 3 year range. However, if they cannot sign him, he would bring a substantial return. He is an experienced playoff performer.

Last year the big deals were made well before the deadline. In fact, the TSN trade deadline broadcast was a dud and the breaking news never happened.

Watch for deals to start coming down around the All Star break.