Senators vs. Canucks: Steve On Sens Preview

  Alright so we're finally out of the woods! The Senators overcame adversity against the high scoring Washington Capitals on Wednesday night. Like many, I was calling for MacLean to release The Lehner after Craig Anderson's shaky first period performance where he allowed 3 goals. Anderson rebounded in the 2nd and 3rd to deliver a solid performance in backstopping the Sens to a 6-4 victory. The Senators enter tonight's matchup against the Canucks with new attitudes, new jerseys, and a new face...whoops! Forgot the Sens haven't acquired Del Zotto yet! The Senators are hoping to continue their impressive record against Western Conference opponents (1-7-2) as they #FEARLESSly battle the Canucks. The game tonight also marks the first game in a while where I can't make any Joe Corvo jokes. Tonight's game is also a preview of the 2014 Heritage Classic between the Senators and Canucks at BC Place in Vancouver. Today, Senators Captain Jason Spezza, along with Canucks Captain Henrik Sedin unveiled the Senators jersey for the Heritage Classic which was reported Here yesterday. 

  Tonight's starting goalies are presented by Rogers because they now also have compete control of this blog. My ridiculous stream of revenue is now gone. 

Back in the good old days

Starting Goaltenders

Ottawa: Craig Anderson (6-7-2, 3.36 GAA, .899 SV%)
Carolina: Roberto Luongo (10-7-5, 2.33 GAA, .912 SV%)

Craig Anderson is in a situation no Senators goalie this year has wanted to be in. Anderson is starting in the 2nd half of a back to back. This year, the Sens are 0-3-1 playing the night after a game. Anderson is pretty much expected to let in 5+ goals on 5+ shots but Anderson is facing the challenge head on. Senators back up or starter if he feels like it Robin Lehner has this to say "I'll take the rest. Performing heart surgery while cage fighting a bear sometimes makes me tired". 

After last season's disappointing sweep to the Sharks in the first round, I believed that the Canucks would follow the path of the 2007/08 Senators (also got swept). In the summer, the Canucks dealt Goaltender Cory Schneider to the Devils which made Roberto Luongo the undisputed #1 goaltender. So far, it looks like Craig Hartsburg isn't coach and Ryan Shannon isn't on their roster so they're safe from the fate of the 2008/09 Senators. Luongo has decent stats but the Canucks have struggled this month (3-4-4). 

Keys To The Game

Ottawa

• Greening for Del Zotto. Straight up. No trade backs.
• Avoid the 2-0 deficit after the first period. Aim for 3-0 or something cooler.
• Gryba and Corvo on the Powerplay

Vancouver 

• Don't lead after the first. It doesn't work.
• Play to win (heard it once on Sportsnet. It sounded cool.)
• Force the offsides

Steve's Picks

• Final score of 3-2 for Ottawa
• 27 people (including myself) still wanting Lehner to start
• Denis Potvin will be extra cheerful and might wear a Santa hat
• Dean Brown will say something nice about the new jerseys that will revolve around the "community" and "heritage" and Potvin will toss in a few "oos" and "aahhhs"

First game that I'll be watching in a while that isn't French or a poor stream so I'm pretty excited! The game is in French. I'll be listening to this wonderful man.

Thanks for reading!

Senators at Capitals: Steve On Sens Preview

  When looking at the upcoming Sens-Capitals game tonight, you immediately notice that there is a real lack of an exciting storyline. With Boston, we had the home losing streak, with Philadelphia, we had the "Keshia Chanté factor" along with certain Sens blogger almost dying and in Carolina, we saw the return of Joe Corvo to the press box at PNC Arena! This is where the Ottawa vs. Washington feud grows old. Sure, I could list off how Ottawa stole Peter Bondra in 2004 or how Joe Corvo used to play for the Capitals (I was going to make a joke about this but then I remembered that Corvo actually played for the Caps) but instead I will focus on another emerging storyline today which is the leaked Sens Heritage Classic Jersey. 

  As many of you have probably already seen, the much anticipated Sens Heritage Classic Jersey was leaked today by Icethetics. The Senators were planning on formally unveiling it tomorrow. As many expected, it is simply a reverse of the incredibly popular black Heritage Jersey released in 2011. This prompted people to suggest that the Senators would make the 2 Heritage jerseys the home/away jerseys full time. I for one believe that this would be a great idea and then maybe make the original white or blacks the third. To be honest, I am outraged that my design was not chosen. 

 Maybe Nike will hire me.

Starting Goaltenders

Ottawa: Craig Anderson (5-7-2, 3.31 GAA, .900 SV%)
Washington: Braden Holtby (10-7-1, 2.59 GAA, .925 SV%)

Craig Anderson faces a daunting task after Robin Lehner played decent in a 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes. The goaltender controversy continues to heat up in the nation's capital (feels like I've said this before). This is a pivotal game for Anderson because if he struggles against the high power offence of the Capitals, Lehner could step in more often. If Anderson plays well, the #93 cap goes back on Lehner and Anderson gets more playing time.

Braden Holtby has played well this year leading Washington 2nd place in the Metropolitan Division. While being strong in net, Holtby really only has to let in less than 5 goals per game due to Washington's offence being spectacular.  I don't want to start a huge controversy or a shouting match but he kinda looks like a bearded Harry Potter with longer hair.

Keys To The Game

Ottawa

• Don't pair Cowen with Washington's 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th forward line
• Capitalize on chances...nope Colin Greening, we're definitely not looking at you
• Make sure the late 7 pm start doesn't tire the team too much

Washington

• Play at the Senators level
• Provide an open net. Chances for a shutout will go through the roof
• Take a lot of penalties...kill time and create scoring chances

Steve's Picks

• Final score of 5-2 for Washington
• 37 people claiming that this is in fact rock bottom
• TSN will use a picture of the black Heritage jersey and say that it was leaked

Really hoping that I can find a stream for this game. I don't get TSN2.

Thanks for reading!

Senators at Hurricanes: Steve On Sens Preview

The Ottawa Senators look to stay inconsistent tonight as they face the Carolina Hurricanes in what seems to be their 17th weekend afternoon game this year. Ottawa makes its first stop in Carolina in a building where they have been 1-9-0 in their last 10 visits. One storyline that seems to dominate the news today is the return of Joe Corvo to Carolina. How will the fans react to such a legend leaving a place that he has called home on 12 different occasions? Will they pay tribute by chanting "Corvo, Corvo, Corvo" at the 7 minute mark of every period? I don't know. We'll let the overwhelming crowd of 13,000 fans decide! Let's look at the Starting Goaltenders! This time brought to you by Keshia Chanté's album "Night & Day"!

Getting a tattoo in the early 2000s would really suck.

Starting Goaltenders

Ottawa: Craig Anderson (5-7-2, 3.31 GAA, .900 SV%) Robin Lehner (4-3-2, 2.33 GAA, 0.940 SV%)
Carolina: Cam Ward (2-3-4, 2.85 GAA, .912 SV%)

Craig Anderson faces a daunting task after Robin Lehner had quite the game last night against Detroit (or so I hear. I was at a work Christmas party). It is no secret that Robin Lehner has played significantly better this year, but Paul MacLean continues to have faith in Anderson. It seems that every time Lehner bails the team out, he is then banished to wearing the #93 hat on the bench. EDIT: I have been notified on Twitter that Lehner is starting. He'll make 57 saves and rip Jiri Tlusty's heart out.

Cam Ward's stats this year have been sub par. This really shouldn't worry anyone though as Carolina is in Year 2 of a constant 3 year cycle where they are awful for 2 years and then make the Conference Final in the 3rd year. Ever since 2006 when Ward stepped in for an injured Martin Gerber, he has been the undisputed Number 1 in Carolina. 

SIDE NOTE: If anyone has a Sens Gerber jersey, please contact me stephenrhickson at gmail dot com

Keys To The Game

Ottawa

• See if Jim Rutherford would like Joe Corvo back mid game
• Remember that Jordan Staal still exists and plays for Carolina
• Release another teaser video of players talking about the new Heritage Jersey but this time with Lehner and Condra

Carolina

• Convince Jim Rutherford to not trade for Joe Corvo
• Trail in shots after the 1st period (it works)
• Stop MacArthur at all costs

Steve's Picks

• Final score of 3-1 for Carolina
• 32 people claiming that this is in fact rock bottom
• 7 Denis Potvin comments about how Rutherford used to be a goalie
• Someone on Sportsnet will have a birthday and a cupcake will be given on air

Also I will be at my Midget House B practice so I will be gone for most of the game...

Thanks for reading!

Senators vs. Bruins: Steve On Sens Preview

The Ottawa Senators face off against the Boston Bruins in their first meeting of the season tonight! This will not be an easy task for the Senators as they have struggled against the Bruins in the past few years. Last year the Sens went 1-2-2 against the Eastern Conference Champion Bruins. The only win coming from Robin "#1 Fan of Keisha Chante" Lehner.  At the time that I am writing this (9:12 on Thursday night), Paul MacLean has not announced who will start in net for the Senators. He has also opted to stay secretive in determining if Chris Neil will be on the 1st or 2nd Power play unit. It looks like we'll have to hold our breaths until game time. Let's take a look at our starting goaltenders (presented by Home Hardware)! *Denis Potvin chuckles for no reason*

Tossin' Snow, snorting' blow #DaugMan

Starting Goaltenders

Ottawa: Craig Anderson (4-5-2, 3.30 GAA, .906 SV%) or Robin Lehner (3-2-2, 2.13 GAA, .945 SV%)
Boston: Tuuka Rask (10-4-1, 1.52 GAA, .948 SV%)

As I noted above, Paul MacLean has not announced his starting goaltender for Friday's game. He was quick to point out that "If we play like we did Tuesday it doesn't matter who is doing anything ". To be fair, the Sens were not solid in front of Craig Anderson but he did let in a few soft goals towards the end. Lehner, being the humble hero said "I don't think I am" when asked if he was starting. This could be a crucial game as goaltender controversy 13.0 unfolds in the Nation's Capital.

  Tuuka Rask looks to improve on his impressive season start. He is visiting Canadian Tire for only the second time since Kaspars Daugavins attempted the greatest shootout move in history on his future teammate. Unfortunately Kaspars has disappeared into the bowels of Eastern Europe. Rask did not get the start in Boston's 3-2 win over Columbus on Thursday night.

Keys To The Game

Ottawa

• Make sure the MacArthur-Turris-Ryan line is on fire
• Cover the defensive zone well...cough*cowen*cough
• Make sure the MacArthur-Turris-Ryan line is on fire
• Get Daug Man back

Boston

• Strong start after back to back games 
• Shut down Ottawa's limited offense 
• Get Daug Man back

Steve's Picks

• Final score of 3-2 for Boston
• 74 tweets about how MacLean makes bad lines/ chose the wrong goalie
• 19 ignorant TSN 1200 post-game callers
• 3 players responding to tweets by @sens_adnan

Thanks for reading!

Senators vs. Flyers: Steve On Sens Preview

The Ottawa Senators are taking on the Philadelphia Flyers in their first meeting of the year at Canadian Tire Centre. Without bringing back past memories of Patrick Lalime fighting future Hall of Famer Robert Esche, 3 players remaining on the Ottawa bench and a young Jason "boy playing in men's league" Spezza dropping the mitts right off the face-off, let's jump into the starting goaltenders!

Backup tonight, starter in our heart

Starting Goaltenders

Ottawa: Craig Anderson (4-4-2, 3.14 GAA, .912 SV%)
Philadelphia: Steve Mason (4-7-1, 2.34 GAA, .925 SV%)

Craig Anderson looks to rebound after an average start for the Senators. Robin Lehner has proven that he is a capable goaltender in the early parts of the season by posting impressive numbers, breaking the regular season save record and going as Shrek for Halloween! Regardless, Paul MacLean has opted to go with the veteran Anderson for tonight.

Steve Mason is hoping to give the Flyers their second straight win after beating the Oilers 4-2 on Saturday.  After many years of goaltender uncertainty, it seems that the Flyers have been unable to find a winning tandem. (Ha...you thought I was gonna say something positive)

Keys To The Game

Ottawa

• Get the lacklustre crowd into it!
• Quick start
• Offensive Pressure

Philadelphia

• Strong defensive effort
• The "Giroux" factor
• Time Travel to 2009...Richards, Carter, Pronger, Giroux, JVR...

Steve's Picks

• Final score of 4-1 for Ottawa
• 27 Light Mup "Fearless" commercials
• 5 Denis Potvin comments about how Giroux played for Gatineau in Junior
• 34 tweets about how Karlsson is not on pace to play 40+ minutes 

Thanks for reading!