Exactly what they needed!

Yes, that title was exactly it. This team needed to send a message, a message that the bad bounces, poor thinking, lack of effort and overall sloppy play was just a growing pain. They made a statement against a goalie that doesn’t get pulled from too many games either, and he was great for the first period, where the score easily could have been 5-1 at the end of one. Good for Ottawa to show that they are still a force and a good team.

I don’t care what anybody has said to me, this team is very well built. Aside from the game against Buffalo [the best team in the NHL] and that awful lapse against T.O., Ottawa has yet to allow more than two goals in a game and it’s only been there offense that needed a kick start. Yes, losing Havlat did hurt there offence, but that should NOT be an excuse, he only played a quarter of the REGULAR SEASON last year and WASN’T the reason this team was one of the HIGHEST SCORING TEAMS last season. Losing Smolynski should actually help the team too. Then you add McAmmond who has proved his worth thus far and also take into consideration that younger players are now one year older and wiser (Eaves, Vermette, Kelly etc).

I have been at all the home games thus far, and I too was starting to get frustrated with the teams start, but they will be fine and I still forecast them in the TOP 5 in the conference.

Players coming along:
Nice to see certain players getting it going;
Spezza who played well in his first three games, had a slip and heard it from the fans, but he has changed alot of his ways. He is hitting more and has worked on his defensive play too. Lose a blind back pass or two and people will grow to love this creative player.

Heatley was never a concern of mine, this guy just has a way to find the back of the net and even though I do think Hossa should have been kept here, Heatley is the right bang for the buck and will easily produce 35+ goals this year.

Alfie has been moving his feet finally and should be finding the back of the net soon. He has been much better and I hope to see him bury a few goals soon.

Corvo like I said would not disappoint. I used to follow a lot of the West Coast teams and this was one guy who always stood out to me. He is very underrated and he will soon be discovered as a force on the blue line who can shoot, skate, hit and SCORE.

Fisher vs. Neil
I get so tired of listening to people preach on how Fisher should be captain or an alternate. YES, he does have captain like qualities, but people forget about another guy who - game in and game out - gives 110%, Chris Neil. This guy is another guy on this team who will die out there, is all heart and never plays without putting in a solid effort. He has been there best player since game 1. No offence to Fisher and his leadership - and for that matter no offence to Alfie, who is another leader spite what many bandwagon fans claim.

Goalie Scenario:
Gerber was spectacular vs. Colorado and should of played vs. NJ. Not to say Emery was bad against the Devils, because he certainly looked good making 34 saves but Gerber was brought here to be #1 and he should have been between the pipes when you were put into an early season MUST WIN. Regardless, both goalies are well qualified, its just I ONCE AGAIN question what Bryan Murray thinks.

This from the rumor mill and no big surprise IF it happens, but I’ve heard that John Muckler will pack it in at the end of this season, regardless of what happens. I also anticipate that his replacement will be Murray, but then again who knows. All I know is Murray is a mediocre coach but one hell of GM (Florida – mid 90’s, Anaheim – 2002 to current). If Murray still coaches if/when he becomes GM is a huge question mark......

Also, I expect Denis Hamel to be moved or rejoin the Bingo Sens within 7-10 days. This I have heard from a couple of people.

Perrault talks are still buzzing, but, if they do bring him in, who knows how healthy he will be and how they make room for him. Not sure if I see this happening, only time will tell. I am keeping my ears open too.

Anyways, looking forward to this week, my prediction, not as a Sens fan, but as a hockey fan – Ottawa gets 3pts this week vs. Toronto.

Also curse the schedule maker, not saying this as an excuse but Ottawa never has been given a chance to get going, 2 five day breaks – TERRIBLE, how can you expect a team to play well when they have barely been able to get off the practice ice and into games. Now Ottawa has no excuses as they have a TON of games upcoming.

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Thanks.

- SI