Zak MacMillan: OTT PG52 v Minnesota Wild — Hartman Suspension Coming

Updated Standings (Feb 3 - 8am)

1. FLA - 67 PTS - 28 GR
2. TOR - 64 PTS - 30 GR
3. OTT - 60 PTS - 30 GR
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W1. DET - 59 PTS - 30 GR
W2. CBJ - 59 PTS - 29 GR
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9th - TBL - 58 PTS - 31 GR (Next 2 against OTT at home)
10th - BOS - 57 PTS - 28 GR

Teams I am watching very closely in the final third of season:

1. Detroit - getting hot. Big competition for us. Barely missed in '24
2. Columbus - if they don't make it, Sens have great chance
2. Tampa Bay - +34 goal differential is 2nd best in East

DET surging, next 3 games are absolute must wins. now its a 5 team race for 3 playoff spots, with NYI being possible 6th team at just 4 points out.

This will probably go down to the wire like last season for Detroit. Sens are not going to give the Wings any help the way they're playing. Columbus keeps rolling too and are much improved. The Wings are getting very solid goaltending from both goalies and it's making a huge difference... along with the rookies / prospects really starting to improve the team.

They have to beat the beatable teams, starting with NSH tonight. Cant afford to give away points.

Crazy the East is so tight and the West is basically the top 9 teams and everyone else.

Garroich reporting Sens interested in Ryan Donato and/or Brandon Tanev.

Sure. If cheap. But really we only need 4th line to get bigger and better. And I still say 5/6 defense needs improvement.

My thinking is we don't mess with chemistry, ride the hot streak, and wait til last second to make changes. And a lot will depend on where we are in a month.

Do we resign Giroux? If so, at what?

Garroich reporting Sens interested in Ryan Donato and/or Brandon Tanev.

Sure. If cheap. But really we only need 4th line to get bigger and better. And I still say 5/6 defense needs improvement.

My thinking is we don't mess with chemistry, ride the hot streak, and wait til last second to make changes. And a lot will depend on where we are in a month.

Do we resign Giroux? If so, at what?
- GrimmdaGoalie

the Bottom 6 needs help, scoring help, the top 6 is almost fine, they need a top 6 LW, Perron aint one.

poop poop poop

Ice Chips: Senators F Norris not travelling with team ahead of road trip

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/ic...ad-of-road-trip-1.2245943

that means Norris out for at least 4 games

This will probably go down to the wire like last season for Detroit. Sens are not going to give the Wings any help the way they're playing. Columbus keeps rolling too and are much improved. The Wings are getting very solid goaltending from both goalies and it's making a huge difference... along with the rookies / prospects really starting to improve the team.
- Vladdie_Kon1

every time I think the Wings are down and out Larkin picks them up off the mat and pushes them forward. He's an excellent captain.

2018-2024

Regular Season

Games - 479
Goals - 151
Assists - 239
Points - 390

67 points per 82 games pace.

Playoffs

Games - 62
Goals - 21
Assists - 26
Points - 47

62 points per 82 games pace.

Two cup finals. A cup ring. Who am I referring to? This would look like a UFA to go after.... not quite.

Dallas getting Mikael Granlund and Cody Ceci are excellent additions. That's the kind of deal I want Sens to do. Get rid of Perron (sad but true) along with adding a D-man that can fit in

every time I think the Wings are down and out Larkin picks them up off the mat and pushes them forward. He's an excellent captain.
- Octavarium

Agree with you. Probably one of the most underrated top players in the league. He's a clutch scorer and works his tail off every night. He will be fun to watch in the playoffs if the Wings make it.

Perron is 2 steps behind everyone else. The "rink rust" is obvious. Hopefully he gets better soon.

edit - because I posted this, he scores, lol. I'M HELPING!

well sens lose tonight for certain.

Do we resign Giroux? If so, at what?
- GrimmdaGoalie

I would. He's more than just points. Great teacher from what I can see. How much? Whatever the going rate is for someone who probably gets 15-20 goals and 30-40 assists, 2nd line winger?

I would. He's more than just points. Great teacher from what I can see. How much? Whatever the going rate is for someone who probably gets 15-20 goals and 30-40 assists, 2nd line winger?
- PogBoi

1 year @5.5M OR 2 years @5M ... otherwise I'll take the cap space

Sens win again. This game worried me as you wonder if they look beyond the Preds at the 2 Tampa games. But they played a solid game .... both defensive and offensive. Looks like they are hopefully finding ways to score and still play defensively strong. Plus the really good goaltending helps ..... with key saves at key times.

Looks like Ullmark will get the net tomorrow. Defense is going to need to be solid to help Ullmark until he can get the rust off.

So, this was a new one on me. They say that Norris has a mid body ailment. Did he take a stick to the "nads" (or a groin pull) ? I don't think this is a shoulder thing, not from the way he leaned over and hobbled off the ice.

Overall, Chabot and Sanderson have been playing some great hockey lately. Even Hamonic has seemed decent and energized since coming back. Klevin and Matinpalo seem to play really well as the 3rd pairing.

As for Giroux ... I think a 1 or 2 year deal at $5 million is good, as long as he can accept 3rd line minutes, with upgrades to 2nd line as needed. I think this would help preserve his overall energy. It would also allow us to go looking on the UFA market for a middle six player.

Hartman suspension came down .......... 10 games. About time a thug play got properly penalized.

Perron 3 points last 3 games. Let's go!

Sens play Leafs if playoffs started today.

The Leafs bottom 6 are especially weak.

Pinto and Grieg could be difference makers.

Sens play Leafs if playoffs started today.

The Leafs bottom 6 are especially weak.

Pinto and Grieg could be difference makers.
- spatso

Pinto and Grieg have looked much better in the second half after slow starts. If Perron can start contributing like he has it will really add some depth to the team.

Conference is still so close, hopefully one of the other teams drops off soon.