I dont know what I want to see Bobby Ryan sign more: An extension with the Senators or an application for Canadian citizenship

Hi everybody, how is the new year treating egoafgbs gbkjz b HEY THATS GREAT! 

So, winning streaks are important! Just ask probably every team that’s not Buffalo, the New York Islanders or Edmonton (which is a place Ottawa feels like today!). Does anyone else feel like the 2014 end of the season is going to be a lot of staring at the standings with Ottawa a goddamn 3 game winning streak away from jumping into the playoff mix?Becauuuuuuse 2014 is only 2 days old and it is kind of already that.
The new year (is it still cool to call it that?) has already seen it’s share of news. Erik Karlsson has expressed his readiness to leave 2013 behind. Hey, turns out having your Achilles tendon sliced in half by human garbage on national television AMONG OTHER THINGS PROBABLY is terrible!
What this means for the Ottawa Senators I have no idea THANKS FOR READING! No, he already leads the team in points and is pacing toward a campaign similar to his Norris winning year so…I don’t know what a fired up Erik Karlsson looks like. Are thangs bout to get Turnt Up or have thangs already yet been Turnt?

“Only thyme will tell.” – Saying I just made up

The other big piece of news is Bobby Ryan’s exclusion from the US Olympic team roster. I’m as shocked as anyone. My best guess is the skating on international ice…I guess? (Side note: Has Bobby Ryan’s supposed sluggish skating been a negative factor at all this season? I don’t really see it with his constantly scoring goals plugging my eyes.) It can’t be conditioning because Phil Kessel looks like a canned ham. I mean, on the subjects of skating and conditioning, I’m from a country that put Dany Heatley on their squad and they managed to WIN (on the second try). I’m no Steven Yzerman (looks wise) but you put the guy who can score goals on the team right? Whatever. Brian Burke is a dish best served in charge of rival teams. Though his two game goalless streak is now a thing of Legend, Bobby is on pace for one of if not the most productive season of his career. From what I see on the Sensphere many fans are getting their snuggies on and grabbing a bowl of popped corn to watch the already coming in hot Ryan take things to a “Remaining in at high temperature” levels. Considering he’s already hovering around a 35-40 goal season I’ll take a Bobby Ryan with a chip on his shoulder but am managing my expectations. Remember Spezza burning with the intensity of 1000 mups because he was left off the Olympic training camp invite list? Mmmm. Speaking of Spezza he’s not playing to tonight, speaking of tonight there’s a game tonight, speaking of the game tonight, I’m supposed to be talking about the game tonight!

The Winnipeg Jets head into Ottawa, a city that feels like Winnipeg today, riding a 3 game winning streak, something the Senators would like to enjoy for only the second time this season. They are looking to win and we are looking to win! We’re the original odd couple!

Short Jason Spezza again, Mikael Zibanejad will centre Cory Conacher and Milan Michalek. It’s my theory that Spezz has been playing a bit dinged up since the start of the season. Have you ever hurt your groin? You don’t really miss one game and then you’re all Kool & the Gang. The Captain can take his time recovering as far as I’m concerned. I’d rather him back healthy for the latter half of the season than playing though the pain. Cory Conacher, who I’ve given a pretty tough time this season because 2 goals to show for the first half, has 3 points in his last two games. I would love to see him build on that because the opposite would be not building on that.
Fun facts about this line: Maligned Michalek has the most points of that trio…but has also played 10 more games than Zibanejad so…the question is HOW MANY 3rd round picks will Murray get for Milo at the trade deadline?
Chris Neil’s injury sees Mark Stone added to the line up. He will play on a line with Jean Gabriel Pageau and Matt Kassian. It’s a bit of a shame to see two skill players on a line with Kassassibaconator as I think Stone’s call up will be a short one and he’s been quiet in his chances with the big club. He’ll likely get about 5 minutes of ice time tonight but gotta have Kassian out there in case whoever the Jets goon is, and looking at their roster looks like could be one of like 11 guys, tries to fight him or whatever. I don’t know just go out there and HAVE FUN! What else? Oh, Clarke MacArthur used to sort of play for this team which is nice.

Chris Phillips returns from his foot injury and Patrick Wiercioch will sit again for some reason. Circle of life?

Craig Anderson will get the nod in goal again. Despite NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THE FIRST TEN SHOTS OF THE GAME, he straight up helped steal that last one for Ottawa. There were way more terrifying chances for Washington than I’d like to see in victory. They would look like they were on a power play at even strength…a lot. But whatever it was nice to see the Sens get away with one instead of the usual burn session. Craig’s been showing some of the Andy that we expected to see you know…all season but better late than never.
I can’t find any info on who’s starting tonight for the Jets. All I know is that Ondrej Pavelec’s agent Allan Walsh tries to push the hash tag “Pavelectricity” on twitter which begs the question, “Has their ever been a more reaching, more adorable attempt at player branding in sports history?”

Enjoy the game everyone!

Ugh. Welcome to Earf INDEED, friends. Today we are ALL that alien. RIP that Alien. Got punched. Got punched right in his head. Then he died. On Cristmapendence Day no less.

Heyyyyy did anyone see the game on Saturday afternoon? Yeah, I was there because as Eugene Gandhi once said, “Be the attendance you want to see in this Canadian Tire Centre.” Anyway, except for the end of the game part I had a great time! Just to keep with the Bill Smith theme here, it seemed to me like the Sens all must have had the part of their mind that was used to remember that you can play hockey in the opposing team’s zone erased during the Second Intermission.

Here comes the men in blown power play opportunities *clap clap!* Constantly defending.
MOVIES and Their Official Soundtracks, am I right?!
Whatever. What was I on about? Oh yeah Welcome 2 Earf (12th place). You know what’s not at all funny about this whole thing where Ottawa can’t win these afternoon home games? THERE’S ANOTHER TEAM THAT’S ALSO PLAYING THE GAME EXCEPT THEY’RE ON A FR*GGING ROADTRIP WHO KEEP BEATING THEM. Afternoon, Shmafternoon™ the Coyotes were the ones who were supposed to be at a disadvantage. The Coyotes were the ones 3 time zones away from where they live, the one’s travelling hours to every game, not sleeping in their own beds and playing their 3rd game in 5 days. You have to win home games no matter what spice they are. There was a point where Ottawa was up 3-2 and the Coyotes’ Mike Ribeiro (who I haaaaaaaaaaaaate) took a penalty barely two minutes later. I bring this up because it got me thinking. If the roles were reversed and Ottawa was down one and took a penalty right after the go ahead goal was scored by the other team (who was playing on home ice) would I be alone in thinking “This is where they bury us.”? This is exactly where the #AccommodatingSens come out to take over the game. What’s that Phoenix? Losing the game and just took 3 penalties in a row? We wouldn’t DREAM of taking a 2 goal lead. LET’S MAKE THIS INTERESTING SHALL WE? Result? CLASSIC Antione Vermette hat trick.
Call it lack of killer instinct I don’t know but again, in a league where games are won and lost on special teams opportunities you can’t blow chances like that and expect to be anything above 9th place. Scoring hasn’t been much of a problem but putting the game away definitely has. Pile a mup tonight guys, c’mon. Is just Marc Andre Fleury! What’s that? He’s decided to stop being absolutely terrible and is one of the best goalies in the league now? Ugh, this SPORT.
The only thing I’m going to say about the Penguins is that they have won all but one, I REPEAT ONE, of their games THIS MONTH…Why? because I hate them so much. So much. Look at it this way, at least they only have the *looks at other tab* ..the best power play in the league…uhh but that’s misleading because …since acquiring Jacques Martin on their coaching staff they’ve also become one of the best defensive teams in the league so…let’s move on!

Well at least the lines make sense going into the game. 
Michalek – Spezza – Ziba
MacArthur – Turris – Ryan
Greening – Smith – Neil
Conacher – Pageau – Condra

There’s a lot to like here!
– Zibanejad is playing again
– Top six is consists entirely of top six players. Say what you will (OR DONT!) about Michalek this year, a bottom six guy he ain’t.
– Pageau (who’s great) is centering good players.
– Kassian getting his ice time cut by 4 minutes and 15 seconds. Seriously, you can tell whenever he’s on the ice in a bad way.
– 16-7-6 line reunited and it feels so goddamn good great.
It’s a Christmas Eve-Eve miracle on ice!

It’s really a shame about the loss to Phoenix as I thought a lot of defenders played quite well. Erik Karlsson is good at playing hockey AND IT SHOWS. Offensive output is welcome but Methot was simply very good overall and even one Jerry Cowen was looking like he’s getting his shit straightened out. It’s no secret that the Defense has been the team’s Achilles (too soon?) heel this year. To see them performing better, even in a loss, was encouraging. Unfortunately they’ll have to be a even mo’ better tonight. Ceci remains in and Corvo and Wiercioch will not dress…in their hockey equipment.

Get well Robin Lehner get well soon we want you to get welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
Apartmently Robbie Lehner has come down with a case of the flu. Remember I warned against a Flu-sing streak (really sorry) if a bug was going around the room?  Maybe this could have a bit of a positive effect on Craig Anderson. You can do it, me…think of a bright side to back what you just said up… GOT IT: Win or lose (according to 9-9-4 record mostly lose!) Andy will get a couple of starts in a row. He wont have The Lehner looming over him and maybe that will be good for him. Neither netminder has really definitively taken the reins as starter this season. A losing record will do that I guess. Regardless, the back and forth has to be a bit jarring for a creature of habit like Andy. After all this is the goalie who just a couple of seasons ago got 63 starts. Maybe he can get into a bit of a groove. A groove that can last from period 1 to period 3 even! You’re the guy right now Craigy. He was holding it down for the most part against the Coyotes. I mean it’s not really his fault that the rest of the team blew 4 straight power plays and couldn’t give him a little bit of a margin of error to work with. Also not his fault: letting Phoenix enjoy playing most of the 3rd period in Ottawa’s zone. He’ll have to be on his Grizzly tonight as the Penguins boast some DECENT forwards in their line up.

Well, that’s it for these things until Friday when Ottawa starts a barf to barf against the Barfston Barfins. What’s the holiday season without a little carol? You may have caught this delightful number the Sens released today lead by Jason Spezza’s BEAUTIFUL singing voice. In that lovely spirit I’ve decided to share a little something of my own! (The music goes however you imagineeeeeeeeeer it to)

1 and a 2 and a 1, 2, 3, 4…

OHHHHH Santa Saint Christmas, Ottawa Senators stuff 
Don’t rip my heart out of my chest and stomp on it a bunch of times
Believe me when I tell you, I’m being good (?) mostly every day
For Sennukah all I want is for Ottawa to defeat some teams. 
DEFEAT THE OTHER TEAAAAAAAAAAAAMS 
IN THE SPIRIT OF THESE HOLIDAYS FROM WORRRRRK
but with religious stuff going on as well (of course, no disrispeeek). 
And if you cant bother to beat those other teams 
Then actually please do that thing where you rip out my heart 
so I can be dead in time for Christmaaaaaaaaa(s)
*3 minute long synthesizer solo*
OHHH Annual Gift Man, from your pyramid on the Moon, 
I’m pretty sure I enjoy watching hockey as a pastime
It’s been an emotional journey that no one wants to end 
with getting punched in their bathing suit area by 
None other than stupid Sidney CROSBYYYYYY sooooooooooo
THANKS FOR A SENATORS WIN SAINT SANTAAAAA 
ON. *CLAP!* 
THEEEE. *CLAP*
CHRISTMAS CHILD’S BIRTHDAY EVE – 
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVE  

Thank you for reading, enjoy the game and sorry about everything!

Cmon James think back to your training….what did they say over and over again? Oh yeah, always leave on a strong note:

………………Hi?

You know how sometimes on a Monday (Garfield Kryptonite!) you wake up, brush your teeth, flex your muscles in the mirror, do a little bit of morning crying, “boot up” your trusty Tandy 1000 and start typing up a game preview? Yeah, me too, I know, I’ve been there, my man/womyn/no judgements we’re all sensitive people with so much to give.
And you know how in that game preview you might have felt compelled to mention that the Ottawa Senators put up perhaps their best overall effort of the season against one of the most disciplined and hard working teams in the NHL? Sure. Yeah. Hey, you might also have spent a good portion of time remarking at the solid performance demonstrated by goaltender Robin Lehner. A guy you maybe made a case for giving a string of starts! H*ck, you may have even included a gif of what can only be described as a flawless play through all three zones, from slick breakout to crisp cross ice passes to breathtaking deke on the finish. Oh and maybe you even spent some time talking about the importance of Milan Michalek scoring a goal in his return to top 6 duty. Yep, you might talked about alllllllllllllllllll those things. So naturally what happened in that game? Allow me to tell you…
– Ottawa could’t string a play together to save their goddamn lives AND looked like absolute bologna defensively
– Robin Lehner gets lit up for 5 goals on 33 shots…AGAINST NEW JERSEY
– Michalek scores an absolutely gorgeous goal that resulted in ABSOLUTELY NOTHING unless you count an immediate response goal from the Devils as something.
– Paul MacLean tears into the team’s complete lack of competition.

One way of describing last night’s game would be “Less than #swaggy”

So what does this mean for tonight’s match up against the suddenly good Floridian Panthers?
HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW!? THANK YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR READING AND HAPPY HOLLANDAISE TO EACH AND EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU!
I’ve been writing these things for a few years now. *holds for complete silence* This season has been the absolute most difficult to get a feel for how the team is going to perform game in and game out. Keep trying? I’ll keep trying.

Gord Wilson: Your Official Morganté Menswear Ottawa Senators Insider
On the wings of what is in my opinion a non-controversy of Marc Methot not being returned to the line up at the beginning of a back to back after suffering from the flu, I come bearing less than hottt gossip! During TSN 1200’s pregame show Gordie mentioned that after doing pregame media in the dressing room, judging from the looks of Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris he thinks that numbers 6 and 7 have come down with a touch of something. He also said “I’m not going to flash you!” to Jean Gabriel Pageau when interviewing him about his first NHL goal so…take from that what you will. It doesn’t mean those guys are going to miss time if they’re sick either. Remember that flu ridden game against the Loafs a few years back when Mike Fisher was ducking back to the dressing room between shifts to vomit? You don’t? SPOILER ALERT: They did not win that game.
You know what they say, the best pass in hockey is not having the flu.
Judging by his play last night, I’m going to pretend that Jared Cowen also has the flu. Right? I mean he’s got to. Patrick Wiercioch will come out of the lineup because Jared Cowen put on a flu-like performance. It’s the only way to remedy it. It’s hockey penicillin! Steel yourself for a little bit of a slump if there is a bug going around the room. Hey, who knows what’s really going on though! What’s important to remember is…

This:
THIS:
To be perfectly honest, this:
And most importantly…THIS:
MM’PH!

What was I talking about? Oh yes, the declining state of my mental health.

Krang Anderson will get the start tonight. We all got pissed at the coach when he unsuccessfully started Andy and Lehnny respectively in back to back games. So here’s to new beginnings! *pulls bottle of Silent Sam vodka out of desk drawer and stealthily takes a huge swig*
(Silent Sam: Official daytime odorless vodka of Welcome to Your Karlsson Years).

A message to Craig Anderson:
Hi Craig, I hope you don’t get hung the fuck out to dry by the defense like your co-worker Robert Lemler did last night. Anyway, take care brush your hair *wink* *vodka* and good luck in the upcoming hockey match! *vodka*

Tim Thomas, who I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate, is questionable for tonight’s game. Scott Clemmensen who is a human being might play. He has a sub .900 save percentage on the season but has a 1.00 goals against average in his last two games so…this thing is just writing itself.

What a difference a game makes
Wow, so, Tuesday morning we’re talkin’ about how things are trending properly and how it’s a new dawn etc. Now, it’s Thursday the world is falling apart. Salade du chef! People are buggin out at all levels! Fans AND team AND GM AND coach. You’d think the Sens just lost 5 straight (something they’ve already DONE this season and yet we lived to tell the tale!) Advice: Let’s each and every last one of us, myself above all included, show a little resolve here. Hmmkaiiiiyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeee?

I’m going to end on this note:
I love the Senators
I love you
and
I love you.
(Love you.)

Enjoy the game and remember ENJOY THE COSMIC BALLET OF LIFE ITSELF!

HEY HEY!

It’s great to be back on the internet! I had to cool my heels south of the border for a minute. Let’s review how OUR Ott-a-wa Senatorrrrrrs did while I was away, shall we? *waits for Dot Matrix printout…tears off sheet, puts on crazy drinking straw glasses*  Mmmhmmm, okay I’m seeing barely beating the Sabrrrrres, getting heads kicked in by the Kiiiiiiiings and a completely unexpected win against one of the best teams in the league. Ahh, just as confusing as I left them!
I didn’t check out the Buffalo game because I don’t know, didn’t see the LA game because 5-2 LOSS DULY NOTED but I DID catch a good portion of the game against the Blues (WTYKY: Your Source for a guy who caught “a good portion” of a game!) I have to say watching the match up against St. Louis, I thought “Now THIS is what I expected the team to look like going into this season!”
Now I know it seems easy to cherry pick a game where the Senators defeated one of the league’s premier squads as an example of how they should play but let’s not forget it went to OT, and Ottawa nearly blew a power play through almost half the extra time. It was close! The win is great but to me it was the effort that was outstanding. If things turn around from here on out, they will play like the did against the Blues on a consistent basis, win or lose.

And now the unavoidable subject:
Don’t get me wrong I went to watch those highlights(?) against the Kings but when I read “Something-something Robin Lehner relieved Craig Anderson after he allowed two goals on four shots” I just said to my imaginary friend Ray-Ray, “I can’t fr*gging do this…” and shut down my #sic Intel Pentium II.
Look, the only person who’s given Anderson more chances to redeem himself than me has been Paul MacLean himself. I still think that vintage Andy is in there somewhere but what the hell man? Great to see he a had a really good game against Buffalo (required!) but as soon as he plays a good team things fall apart? In less than 5 shots? The East is a shitty conference but no denying it’s a competitive one. You have to be able to string together a couple good games and I feel he’s just been unable to do that so far. I guess he’s gotten inside his own head or something. I’m happy to see him put on the shelf for a minute. I don’t actually know if it will help but Ottawa needs to pile up some wins and Anderson’s not helping them do that right now. I hope he can sort it out because the skill is obviously there. It’s a position where the physical and mental truly meet and something has come unbalanced. SPEAKING OF MENTAL UNBALANCE, Robin Lehner will get his second straight start. I thought Lehner was a huge part of that win against St. Lou. He’s been able to put 3 wins together this year, something the team has only managed once this season. With games against much tougher opponents in Pittsburgh (who IIIIII haaate), Boston (x2, more like xBarf) and Washington starting next week to close out the year, this week would be a great opportunity to get some momentum going. Rookie netminder Martin Brodeur (who’s son is one year younger than Cody Ceci) gets the start for the Devils.

Hometown Boys Gunna Work It Out:
Much has been said of Cody Ceci’s heroic goal but what’s really fascinating beyond that is how comfortable he’s looked so far. Peep game on his slick breakout on this goal that I am currently in a committed romantic relationship with:

Now THAT’s the kind of zone exit you’ve come to expect from a defender playing his 3rd NHL game! With Methot missing another game as a healthy(?) scratch, the pressure will not be on Ceci to win the game again but to continue to look like he belongs in the game.
Much has been made of the Methot scratch thing but ASK me about how long it takes to feel back to normal after having a solid flu. With another game tomorrow night expect number 3 back then. I say no fire here.
On the subject of dudes getting it done, Jean Gabriel Pageau, the Franco so nice they named him twice, continues to stick with the big club. His two goals in his two limited call ups really speak not only to his ability to contribute no matter where he’s placed in the lineup but also to how much Cory Conacher is struggling to put one in the net. C’mon Big C, even Condra has 3 goals now. Would really love to see him get one what with Ben Bishop constantly rubbing his 18 and 5 record in our big dumb faces every single day.
Not complaining about their games but MacArthur and Ziba have been a little quiet lately. One of them could be due tonight. Milan Michalek, who in preparation for the future I sometimes forget is on the team, will play on Spezza’s wing along with Grizz. I don’t know whatever gets the guy going I guess?

I’m not going to even touch what the result of a win would mean for Ottawa’s place in the standings because it’s an absolute log jam.
So…thank you. Enjoy the ga–

You: But James, you barely talked about the New Jersey Devils aren’t you going to say anything e–

Aye dawg aye,

Remember when Ottawa rolled into the city of Florida to play the Panthers and everyone was all, “Youz guyz HAVE to beat a team this terrible,” and then the Sens were somewhat expectedly victorious? Good times? Great times. Well, I’ve got news for your respective crews, this team, the Buffalo Sabres, no seriously brace hard for this, IS ACTUALLY WORSE than the Panthers. Now get ready for this bit: They are worse by a good margin.
To put it in perspective, I spent a fair portion of yesterday’s game preview, that you understandably skimmed through most of, discussing the fact that by mid December Ottawa had only won a putrid 4 games on home ice. Well, a day later that total has now skyrocketed to 5.
You: That’s a nice little fact you have there James, why do you bring it up?
James: Well, I’m quite glad you asked that, you. I’m pointing this out because BUFFALO HAS WON ONLY 6 GAMES TOTAL THIS SEASON.
Like, damn, even the Oilers (who beat Ottawa on home ice btw) are laughing at that.
Following a roller coaster of emotions that was last night’s game, Ottawa rolls into Buffalo with pretty much as good an opportunity as they’re going to get to string together 2 straight wins; something they haven’t done in over a month.

You know how sometimes when you look up Buffalo’s roster and you’re just trying to not be a complete dick about your game preview but then you look at the plus/minus column and you’re just sitting there all, “How am I supposed to avoid being a complete and utter dick about this?” when you notice that they don’t have a single player who’s been with the team for over 10 games who has a plus rating? Don’t you hate when that happens? I know as well as anyone that plus/minus isn’t the most telling stat in hockey in terms of providing the most accurate picture of a player’s on ice performance but not one guy? I mean come ON you guys, fans are paying their hard earned money to watch you play…so…yeah…HEADLINE.
What was I talking about? Oh yeah, holy crap you’d think that David McConnor kid was available in this year’s draft with a tank job like this. And I say this as a fan of the team that performed the ultimate tank job with less than sexy results. Youch.
Outside of relatively decent seasons from Matt Moulson (who is currently just edging Mika Zibanejad out of the top spot for NHL eyebrow leader) and Cody Hodgson and a …I don’t know competent 12 points from Tyler Ennis things get uh-ga-lee after that especially in terms of goal scoring. Oh sure captain Steve Ott and Marcus Foligno have reached the offensive heights of penalty killer Erik Condra and shutdown defender Jared Cowen’s respective 3 goal output but after that? Well, I’ll just save time by saying they have either 2 goals, 1 goal or zero goals.
Perspective: Chris Neil has 4 goals.
Further perspective: A struggling Jason Spezza still has 27 points in 30 games.

Speaking of Spezz, in terms of Ottawa’s offense, I suppose the big news is they finally got a big monkey off their backs by taking a shootout. The only goal by the hand of the captain with an absolutely glorious move. Look I don’t know whether you’ve LACED “EM” UP or not (it doesn’t matter all are welcome here) but can any of us put together how you could commit to looking like you’re going to go backhand five hole all the way to the blue paint and THEN end up going far stick side AFTER that? Wow.

Interesting fact there, 15,000 of those views are all me.

Clarke MacArthur has also picked a pretty great time to heat up as well. And by “heat up” I simply mean score more points on top of being a pretty much perfect hockey player. On both of his two goals last night all I could think was, “Well, when you’re hot like that they just start going in for you.” Cool thought, me!
Bryan Murray I know you’re reading this and I want to say thanks for signing Clarke and Bobby (who had an unreal feed last night). Ah screw it, let the good times roll, have a look:
http://youtu.be/QPrw0m4TmRc
That MacArthur – Spezza – Ryan line looking pretty awesome there.

So…
I’m always tempted to make fun of Ryan Miller because he seems like a smarty pants doofus with seriously the BLERST hair who– see, it’s hard! Anyway, looking this guy up…all that stuff aside? This guy gets the lion’s share of starts on a team with 6 wins on the season, has faced the 4th most shots in the league and still has a save percentage of .917? All I can say to that is respect. He is all Buffalo has going for them heading into tonight. It’s well documented that Miller is a UFA after this season and he is truly earning his way onto a better team. Fun fact: Literally every other team is a better team.

Though Craig Anderson still can’t stop the opening 10 shots (my least favorite thing!) I can’t deny that he had a good game last night. Again, not great but good. Still letting them in early, still surrendering over 3 goals, still giving up leads at back breaking times, but he also saved the team’s skin a few times (especially late) and ended the game by going perfect in the shootout. I bring this up because maybe Andy will start turning it around from here and I will get the goaltending controversy I’ve been wishing all season for: Battle of the Good Goaltenders. Robin Lehner gets the start tonight and I’m glad to say, has a pretty solid act to follow. A poor performance tonight and his stock will no doubt drop with the team. Even though this game is against the Buffalo Sabres it’s a pretty big one for Lehnny because of last night.

This is starting to be like making fun of a horrific crime scene but…
Did you know that Christian Ehrhoff is supposed to be Buffalo’s version of Erik Karlsson? He is on pace for 6 fewer points than Erik Karlsson currently has.
I cannot think of anything else to say about the Sabre’s defense.

I don’t want to get too excited here but Cowen and Wiercioch have looked a bit better the last couple of games. Here’s to hoping a home and home with the league’s worst team can further boost their confidence.

Enjoy the game! 

Of note: To the ones of people who read these things (sorry about these things btw) Thursday I will be travelling to the Windy City of Angely Love, New York City for some undeserved R and R. As such there will be little to no James Day Preview until I make my glorious return. Thanks for all of your messages of encouragement to write less that have inspired me to go away for awhile!

Please send any questions you have to @superdigestive b/c I have no idea.

Ugh……*notices you* Oh uhhh… Hi! I mean,

Hi everybody,

Guess what! The Sens REALLY need to win this goddamn game for a few reasons:
1. If they don’t win, well, if you think they’re low in the standings now…
2. Philadelphia Flyers: Not that good.
3. Ottawa hasn’t beaten Philadelphia this year for some reason. A loss tonight would mean a season sweep…I mean…………..c’mon.
4. A home win would be, y’know, NICE. Still only 4 home wins on the season.
5. 4 home wins this season
6. 4  wins at home so far this season
7. The Ottawa Senators have won only 4 games on home ice this season.
8. We’re behind the Bluejackets in the standings and I would like to stop butting out cigarettes into my forearm for five minutes.
9. *Charlie Brown music*
10. 

Headline: SENS SHOCKER, ZIBA TO COACH “I HAD SEX WITH YOUR WIFE!!!!” 
Listen, your father and I would like to have a serious discussion with you about how the world works. When a man loves a woman very, very much he might ask her to spend the rest of his life with her in holy macaroni. If some day his wife sleeps with a young, handsome Swedish forward of Iranian-Finnish decent, in order to exact revenge the man will banish that young forward to the forth line of the professional hockey team he coaches because we’re all sensitive people with so much to give and the world’s a complicated place AND THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I COULD POSSIBLY EXPLAIN WHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING. Also Mike Hoffman is not playing for some reason.

A word on Zibanejad: You don’t sit in 4th place in goals among forwards and play like a top 6 player without making a few enemies. I don’t know what the purpose of putting a guy who’s been putting up points on the fourth line is. Here’s a guess, is it to finally “get Kassian going”? I’m perplexed.

A word on Kassian: Honestly, I’m not opening the enforcer debate. I actually didn’t have much of a problem with Carkner nor Konopka. Carkner could take a regular shift as a bottom pairing d man and Zenon was a faceoff expert (two uses!). Kassian averages less than 4 minutes per game. In a game Ottawa needs to win as desperately as this one, it feels like we’re weakening our forward corps because something-something the Flyers have Jay Rosehill. Honestly, you don’t HAVE to fight that guy (ask Brooks Orpik) and instead you could give Binghamton captain and points leader Mike Hoffman a fourth game to try to find his way. Just advice from a garbage fisherman from Garbage Island.

A word on Conacher: Hmm, let’s see here, *puts on reading glasses, opens latest issue of Ottawa Senators Aficionado magazine* Let’s take a look here mmm ah, Conacher, Cory. Hmmkay, 29 games playyyed, 2 goals, 2 assists *squints* oops says THREE assists. Hmph the more you know. I say, pretty #sic season so far.

A word on Hoffman: I suppose when you’re given top six time immediately upon getting called up you have to do something with it very quickly as it is very valuable ice time and ice time is ice money and ice money is icepreapprovedpaydayloans.com. Since he is waiver bound upon demotion, I suppose Hoff is up for a long look and this is a precautionary benching to keep him on his toes going forward (evidenced by this morning’s apparent bag skate he was on the business end of).

Heyyyyy Craig Anderson gets the start. I don’t even know what that means anymore THANKS FOR READING!
Move over Robin Lehner, there’s a NEW goalie in town who can’t get it done in the shootout! I kid because I love. It’s hard to judge a hockey team on their performance in the shootout because it’s not actually the game of hockey! What? Has James broken his LEGENDARY silence on how he feels about the shootout? Hmm not really though admittedly the Sens going something like 0-10 in the shootout has definitely made me hate it until further notice.
What was I talking about again? Oh yes, Graig Mandesson. Have we traveled from a universe where we had a goalie who was bound for Vezina glory just one season ago (IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR BTW) to a parallel existence where I am unsure about that same guy’s ability to out duel Steve Mason? What world is this? If I smash my head into a brick wall in this dimension will the James who is watching excellent Craig Anderson in the parallel world also feel it? I’m asking because I’m very jealous of him and want him to experience my pain.
Despite both of them having terrible records this year, I feel Lehner has provided the best chance of bailing out the team and so now I go into every Anderson start feeling extremely shaky. I’m not ready to throw in the towel on Andy or anything but he neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeds to finally make our beloved Steve REST HIS CASE and stop the first ten shots of the game before I’m ready to go back to believing that this is the same Craig Anderson that we know and love. It’s a huge game tonight Craig, you’ve played bigger games PLEASE MAKE ME A BELIEVER AGAIN!

Does anyone else feel like Karlsson has been playing out of his mind good lately? 
Even in losses I’ve been pretty blown away by some of the stuff he’s been doing out there. Did you see how pumped he was when he tied that game that wont be named? ICYMI, his celly looked a little something…. like this:

Cool eh?
As for the rest of the defense umm…I don’t know. Figure it out, you guys? Wiercioch has been better lately. Uhh, Philips is 3rd in power play points (????)…Methot was invited to Olympic camp at one point? Hold on, I’m floundering here. This calls for back up:
Me: SIRI, please make something out of this:
<bleep BLOOP> SIRI: I’m sorry I cannot make out with something Mark Methylamine at this time.  

A closing note on the importance of this game: The East has been pathetically bad to the point that the Senators hopes aren’t even completely dashed despite RARELY winning. The odds of them making the playoffs have decreased significantly in the past couple of weeks but again due to the pathetic conference featuring things like Toronto’s dropping 7 of their last 10 games (ACCEPT OF COURSE AGAINST YOUR #ACCOMMODATINGSENS ON HOME ICE), the boys still have a glimmer of hope. It would seem the Viking Death Ship is turning around in terms of overall play but to me the bigger picture is this: Is a team that has only managed to pull out 4 wins on home ice by mid December and is only ahead of Florida and Buffalo one you even WANT to see in the playoffs? I actually still do I think. If only for the morale of the team and fans. If the boys start picking up more W’s in their own barn, it could still be a pretty productive month. If not, well, ENJOY THE GAME!(?)

Ahh, snuggle up for the 1992 Expansion Classic!

Well hello everyone,

Let’s start this thing off proper:

HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BOTH Ottawa Goalies Were Injured in Practice But At Least I’ve Vomited All Over Myself!!!!!!
So, Lehner was hit awkwardly in his left his right both shoulders this morning and appeared to be in considerable pain. Good thing Craig Anderson…took a puck off the knee and was…doubled over in pain…so… If only Ben Bi$hop could have started if Murray hadn’t have made that trade that made complete sense at the time only to be picked apart in hindsight! THANKS OBAMA!
At the time of this writing both goalies appear to be dancing out their injuries and Robin Lehner will get the start against Ben Bishop. I’m hoping for two things here:
1. Lehner isn’t being a hero and is fit enough to play because you know once the lightening hear he hurt both of his shoulders in practice they’re going to be shooting high on him all night long.
2.  Being familiar with both goalies I really hope this thing doesn’t go to a shootout.

Bish is 1-2-1 in his last 4 games but here’s the ruuuub: He’s posting a 0.98(!?) GAA and .969 save percentage on that one win in his last 4. EEP. So obviously if Ottawa can score like 3 goals they’ve won? But if they manage that Lehner will need to allow fewer than 3 goals…He had a pretty tough game against Detroit but facing a goalie who he might  definitely has an ax to grind with could help motivate him. Considering Bishop was brought in because the organization didn’t feel he was ready to take the reins Lehner should be fired up and a fired up Lehner is always bloodthirsty fun to watch!

Well, thanks for reading and — oh right other stuff besides goaltending.

Are the Sens about to play a game where they are the team who can score and the OTHER guys have trouble lighting the lamp?
In a complete reversal from last year Ottawa is actually tops in their division in Goals For while Tampa is in the lower half…only problem is Ottawa leads the division in goals against as well *fog horn* and Tampa is quite strong in this area. THESE TEAMS ARE THE ORIGINAL ODD COUPLE tune into their whack new sitcom Divisional RASCALS tonight at 7:30 Eastern / 8:00pm in Newfoundland!
It will be up to the D to keep from slipping in butterscotch early (hence Lehner starting 😉 ) and for the Senators to take advantage of their fire power. Lucky for them they have some fellas heating up at the right time.
Clarke MacArthur and Mika Zibanejad are both riding point streaks and have crept into the team’s top five in goal scoring trailing only Bobby Ryan (who I loooOOooOOOOOove) and Jason Spezza (who looked FIRED UP last game).
For what it’s worth does anyone else feel like the team has a couple of guys that are DUE to contribute? I’m speaking of course about Cory Conacher (0 goals in past 370 games) and Milan Michalek (0 G’s, 0 A’s). Seriously Cory….you’re starting to take on the spicy glow of “Dave’s Memories of Ryan Shannon” marinade. C’mon bro-bro put one past the starting goaltender that Murray gave up for you!
The 4th line tonight is 9MM-Zibanejad-Conacher. If those three can’t make some noise against whatever garb Tampa puts out against them well…
Mike Hoffman starts off the game with Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan which is pretty delightful for him. He sure seems expected to play a different role than Derek Grant did.  Let’s hope he takes advantage in time for the Battle of Ontario Derby at the Tires.com Arena on Saturday.
Erik Condra will play on the first line with Jason Spezza and MacArthur because someone put LSD in my coffee.

A Word On Defense: 

I don’t really know at this point. Everyone be as good as Karlsson?

I think this will be an interesting game. It was great to see Ottawa pull out a big road win in front of capacity crowd (like a we should make jokes about attendance) against the Panthers. Getting a ton of power plays and kicking the crap out of Florida (WHO DESPITE BEING FLORIDA STILL TOOK A TWO GOAL LEAD EARLY) is not much more than a mere confidence builder to me. Tonight they are facing an actual NHL team in Tampa. If they can take this one they could potentially have a bit of steam heading into the friendly confines of a Saturday HNIC game against the leefs (that whole thing btw)

Finally, 
You’ve probably heard about the proposed flash mob for the upcoming Sens-Yotes Battle of North America game. It’s a very 2014 idea. A lot of people are poking fun at it but after watching the instructional video I have to say it looks like a ton of fun and you might even catch the WTYKY staff joining in the fray! Learn the moves here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k98bRUOb4g

ENJOY THE GAME! 

Hey there!

So I’m going to address the elephunk in room right away. Last night’s come from behind win and this morning’s unveiling of the Heritage Classic jersey have overshadowed a much greater concern surrounding the team. I’m speaking of course about Bobby Ryan’s NOW LEGENDARY slow start. Let’s be the seriousness: Despite the team’s struggles it has been so awesome to be reminded of what it’s like to have someone on the team who lights a mup every other game. Like Karlsson before him guy has silencioed his haterz critics with performance. Now’s the part where I have to say this: I sincerely hope the Senators can make him part of their future so I can buy all the Ryan jerseys.
MacArthur / Turris / Ryan 4evR!

Ottawa U So Cray-Zay! 
I’ve been thinking about it and I want to take a minute to clarify some puzzling action that took place last night after some bizarre strategy was employed by Paul MacLean and his boys. Just a theory but I think I’ve figured it out: Instead of using the power play as an opportunity to remain hemmed in their own zone to work on unsuccessful attempts to move the puck through neutral ice, the Senators players fanned out in an umbrella-like formation in the attacking zone and cycled the puck to one another waiting for the most opportune time to shoot.
I know, I know, it sounds crazy but the rapid (successful!) passing forced lateral movement from the opposing defenders slyly taking advantage of the fact that the one of the Capitals’ players was serving a penalty and the team had to play shorthanded for two Earth minutes.
It was an uncomfortable departure from the team’s at this point all too predictable go to play of springing Chris Phillips so he can go one on one with the goaltender and unleash a top shelf blast over the glove hand (can we talk about how nice that goal was?). Unconventional as it was awesome to see creativity lead to success!

Againderson? *Applies for job as Ottawa Sun headline writer* 
In a bit of a confusing move, Paul MacLean has chosen to start Craig Anderson for the second game in as many nights. I mean it worked with Robin Leh–. I don’t know why he is doing this. I didn’t even think Anderson looked particularly good last night despite winning. Our beloved Steven (maker of today’s delightful image – Torts looks like Fonzie!) brought up something telling about Andy’s play before the game started last night. He said, “Let’s see if Anderson can stop the first 10 shots of the game. He never seems to be able to do it.” I think his 3rd goal against was on shot 11. Eep.
I’ve mentioned numerous times in this still young season that falling behind early is not just on the goalie and that the problem is mostly in the defense but Steve makes a great point. Ya gotta stop those first ten shots. I’m going to be keeping track tonight for sure. Play along at home!
Roberto Luongo who is an unpredictable rollercoaster of emotions gets the start for Vancouver. Still, he has 10 wins on the year so, haters to the left I guess? Fun Fact: Luongo boasts the league lead in “Hair I’d least like to touch.”

A Brief Note on Erik Karlsson: 

Look how beautiful the pass is too. That’s how he do even when a 230 pound dude is about to collide with him. Special Little Guy.

Jared Cowen Slipped on Some Butterscotch and Fell into the Pressbox
After finally getting around to reading letters, emails and tweets from fans Paul MacLean has decided to healthy scratch Jared Cowen for the first time this season. He is also taking out frequent scratch Patrick Wiercioch. I thought  Wiercioch was alright last night personally but never the less one game does not excuse the message here. At the start of the year, after each of them signed a new multi year deal. Jared and Patrick were supposed to be the team’s second line pair. So far they’ve seen many partners in attempts to get them going and now they will be partnered up in the press box.
Like goaltenders, good defenders take time to develop and both of these guys are very young. They share less than 200 NHL games of experience between the two of them. Still though, frustration with Cowen has been pretty understandable. It’s tough to watch a 6 foot 5 defenseman get bossed around almost nightly. Especially when you add the weight of a new 4 year deal he sat out to get that pays him more than both Marc Methot and Chris Phillips oh and his top 10 draft pedigree. Personally I don’t expect Cowen to turn it around overnight, in fact, I don’t know what to expect period from him right now. One thing I do know is that the Coach has been perplexing in his patience with Cowen and that patience has finally run out. Eric Gryba and Mark Borowiecki (who, if you ask me….ASK ME! has been out-Cowening Cowen since his call up) draw in.

Remember that whole Fortress Scotiabank thing last year?
Yeah, a huge reason the Sens made the post season was because of how hard they were to beat at home. With a pathetic 4 wins on home ice so far this season, Ottawa needs to start learning to win in Ottawa…Also, y’know, could be a good way to boost ticket sales. Tonight would be a pretty cool time to start taking back the Tire (sorry).
As November draws to a close, looking ahead to December 11 of the team’s 15 games will be played at the Tires.com Arena. That’s a make or break schedule. If they can’t take the lion’s share of those games it wont matter if the team doesn’t make the playoffs because they wont deserve to be there anyway.
The fact that they played last night is no excuse for not taking this one. I mean it hasn’t stopped a lot of teams from beating us this season. Skilled as Vancouver tends to be this is a team that has won only one regulation game in the past two weeks. I would typically never describe an Ottawa-Vancouver game as totally winnable but you guys this game is totally winnable.

Get into it: 

Welcome!

Can you believe this rain today! Holy macaroni art! MOVING! ON!

Ladies, this team is CONFUSING! Am. I. Rite. Ladies?
Uhhhhhhhhhhh…I guess Ottawa has a good chance at winning this one because Washington is pretty good? There’s been precious little in the way of a pattern emerging on the season though I guess it could be argued that the Sens have tended to bring it a little harder against quality opponents.
Down side: Getting fed by teams like the frigging Hurricanes.
Tonight projects to be a Showdown at the .500ish Coral with two teams that have no problem putting the puck in the net and I’m just going to assume the Caps D also stinks ( iGRACIAS POR LEER!) and relies on a hot goaltender to keep their heads above water.
Luckily for the Senators Paul MacLean will allow Spezza to play with Zibanejad and Michalek on his wings for another game. With a little time I think this trio can start racking up some points and we could actually have TWO lines! No promises! Just glad to see the captain get a little time with linemates. Comes the games, comes the chemistry!
Oh good Alexander Ovechkin is on pace for 73 goals. Key to victoriousness: Cover him.
World’s greatest Sex Machine Clarke MacArthur has 5 points in his last 4 games and has climbed into the team’s top 5 in points. Man, if he can start getting goals on the regular? Dayum! I know it’s been a weird season so far but there’s some stuff you have to love about this team. The MacArthur – Turris – Ryan line.

A Thought on Defense
Uh oh…really painted myself into a corner with that heading…mmmmm….uhh…thought…thouuuuught….c’mon James…Oh, I know:

Tonight’s Starting Goaltenderrrr: EMOTIONS! 
Craig Anderson will square off tonight against anti fighting advocate Braden Holtby. Paul MacLean is trying to avoid a goaltending controversy by continuously deferring to Andy,  which I get, but it is starting to get kind of weird because of the team’s overall performance and constant back to backs he is switching back and forth between his two netminders every other game. One thing is clear, the team’s gotta play better in front of Anderson. This isn’t to let Andy off the hook either, he’s gotta play better behind the team too.
I hate to say it but I feel like the team doesn’t trust Anderson as much as Lehner right now. Or maybe Andy can’t save the team’s bacon as consistently as Lehnny. Regardless, we’ve been over how the lack of defense is what is killing any momentum surrounding the team. As such, for Ottawa to have a chance of winning the goaltender pretty much has to allow the team to get away with some complete bullshit.
No better example of what’s been going wrong than Heatley’s goal (his league leading 4th of the season) in the last game Anderson played against the Wild. Karlsson weak as a newborn chinchilla on the play but hot mess that does not excuse Andy from letting the puck trickle through the wickets slower than Heater backchecks. Defense falters, goaltender falters, Back status: Broken. Unrealistically good goaltending saved Ottawa’s season last year. Feels ridiculous to say it but they need a good stretch of it to get this thing back on track.

HEYYYYYYYY Colin Greening as Zero Points in 18 Games Which Is Funny Because That’s The Exact Amount of Games It Took Mike Hoffman To Score 24 Points. 
As a fan of Erik Condra, I know full well that a player’s value isn’t necessarily predicated on the amount of points they score or even hitting wide open nets. I still feel it also important to note, however, that THERE IS SOME VALUE BASED ON HOW MANY POINTS YOU SCORE.
Fresh off a new contract, guy is about to go a quarter season without a point. OOF. Speaking of value I know Murray’s been shopping Greening and likely doesn’t want him in the pressbox but goddamn in Milburyless world it’s not like you can hide a player behind stats that bad. It’s frustrating as a fan to know that there is a guy who is clearly Sriracha hot right now AND plays the same position just sitting there in the minors. It’s not like Greening is a top six player (at least not this game) give a guy who’s tearing up the AHL a chance and let CG check it out from upstairs. I don’t know, I’m just a garbage man from Garbage Island, I don’t know garbage about garbage. Now go out there Colin Greening and HAVE SOME FUN! HAHAHAAAA…fun…..but seriously score a fucking goal.

Knews and Knotes: 
Mark Borowiecki has been practicing but will sit out tonight’s game after receiving the dirtiest hit I’ve seen this season from SUPERSTAR winger and Olympic hopeful, Kevin Westgarth (0G, 0A).
Counting the game he was knocked out of, should Borowiecki miss an additional game he will miss more time than Westgarth will on his two game suspension.
I know it’s old hat to talk about this stuff but this league needs to seriously step it up suspension wise before someone gets paralyzed or worse. It’s not because Boro plays for Ottawa either. It could have been Claude Lemieux of all people getting hit and I’d feel the same way. There’s no place for a hit like that and everyone knows it. It’s not going to change the game for the worse to make players think twice about hitting a guy in such a vulnerable spot. LET’S PUT OUR GOOD CANADIAN BOYS AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY BECAUSE JUST WIN BABY. PLAYERS KNOW WHEN THEY STEP ON THE ICE THAT THEY’LL BE CHECKED HEAD AND NECK FIRST INTO THE BOARDS WHEN THEY ARE ON ALL FOURS AND EVERYTHINK LIKE THAT LET’S GOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Two games does not send enough of a message. Get well soon, Borocop.

ENJOY THE GAME! 

Dear readers I have some bad news.  James did not show up to the WTYKY office this morning.  Apparently he has gone on an emotional walkabout to sort out his feelings concerning the Senators’ performance of late in an attempt to turn his trepidation into #fearless(ness) #pesky(ness) fuel that he can use to light our hearts’ brains every game day. (except on weekends) Please wish James (@wtyky) a speedy enlightening or perhaps submit ideas for the WTYKY power animal to perhaps avoid future crisis’ of vision.

Writing is not my thing.  I make pictures (tries to insert joke, sprains ankle), but I will say this.  I generally don’t like these hyptastic revenge matches especially when it’s in the spirit of avenging a teammate’s injury.  “Why’s that Steve(n)?  Is it Steve or Steven?  I don’t know, he doesn’t write much.”  Well because these games tend to trend towards the dumbest penalties in the planetarium category rather than the goalapalooza dinner and buffet happy hour (steals James’ bit: CHECK).  However, given Ottawa’s recent run of play, if revenge on the C.H.U.D. collective of Ottawa’s recent history inspires the Sens to get the bats going, SO BE IT.  Granted one is a past-his-prime $3.8 million per point pylon and the other is potentially career ending piece of human garbage (emotional).  I think that the Sens should let the fans dish out the hate and emotion and in return they can turn this team inside out.

Keys to success TOUGH LOVE EDITION:

1) pretend like you paid attention to the X’s and O’s instead of posting fake Jim O’Brien tweets.

2) play like a team that deserves to win from the puck drop, not after going down two goals in the first, feeling sorry for yourself in the second and finally getting it together in the third to tie it and lose in the shootout.

3) Anderson has to stop the first ten shots

Also James left this on his desk

Enjoy the game everyone.  I miss you James