Sens Writer: Senators Lose to Islanders, Despite 31-13 Shot Advantage

Shane Pinto & Ridly Grieg have not got going yet. Pinto & Grieg have played a combined 43 games - and have scored 3 goals. Only 2 goals 5 on 5. That's not even bad, that's horrible. That said I think Pinto once he scores, will score in bunches.

Giroux: To trade or not to trade? That is the question. Sens should be in 9th like the NYI are today. That was a big game last night and it's incredibly frustrating, but they should start winning those games - because they DESERVED to win that. Travis Green, 9/10 times you play like that you win. Problem is, that has happened with a handful of games this year. If Sens aren't going to make the playoffs, what's the price you accept for Giroux? What if that piece is one that Sens use to acquire something else?

Ullmark: Let's be honest, if the playoffs started tomorrow, he is playing every single game. So why not play him 40 games out of the remaining 57?

Why the F*** did we trade Filip Gustavsson!? Even got a goal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osbry5lj3bM

Why the F*** did we trade Filip Gustavsson!? Even got a goal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osbry5lj3bM
- AlfieisKing

Why did we trade Gustavsson? Because he did not play this well when he was in Ottawa. People seem to have short memories. He had an 0.892 SV% and a 3.55 GAA in 18 games with Ottawa in 2021-22. We traded him to get a more veteran goaltender in Talbot who was having a good year (better then Gustavsson) at 0.915, GAA of 2.63 with 33 games in Minnesota. The cash strapped, at the time (still paying Suter and Parise buy outs) were looking to dump some salary as well. Little did we know that Talbot would also struggle with some injuries and suck the next year. Meanwhile, Minnesota with a better defensive structure could shelter and bring Gustavsson along in a more controlled manner (choosing whom he would face). Its not always as simple as "what if". Circumstances said this was a good trade. However the real problem with Ottawa has always been team defensive structure.

One of the issues we need to face is that Ottawa cannot continue to show allegiance to a very up and down Forsberg. It is time to make a trade for a credible back-up and put Forsberg on waivers if they can't trade him. That was a debacle last night. Make a save dammit.

What does Ottawa need to do?

1) Trade for a back-up goalie
2) Trade for credible right d-man or a lefty who can actually play the right side.
3) Use Greig or Giroux as the trade bait to get the player.

Giroux is now 36 (turning 37 in Jan). We have seen his play drop off a bit this year. This will only decline more over time. He is a UFA at season end. Time to get ruthless like other successful teams (Vegas, Rangers, etc.) and make the trade.

The Bad - The Senators continue to make puzzling decisions with their goaltender deployment. Heading into this weekend, it wasn’t difficult to identify which of NSH or NYI was the better team in terms or record, or the more relevant game from a playoff perspective. Yet they inexplicably decided to play Anton Forsberg in this game, despite Linus Ullmark having nearly earned a shutout the night before, and the NYI having declared Ilya Sorokin as their starter for this game. And what was the result? A blown shutout for one G due to an absurd coaching decision to have the 4th line on the ice with less than 2min to play, followed by a 9-save .750 sv% performance tonight by the other G.

this is DJ Smith levels of bad coaching, like i said, like Nucks fans said, like Devils fans have said Green is a crap coach. Smith 2.0.

Best in class my ass audlauer

this is DJ Smith levels of bad coaching, like i said, like Nucks fans said, like Devils fans have said Green is a crap coach. Smith 2.0.

Best in class my ass audlauer
- Mithos

So what has-been coach did you want them to hire. And let's also make an assumption that the coach wants to come to Ottawa (so eliminate guys like Berube). You keep taking pot shots at the coaching staff, but never seem to offer an alternative.

We should've got blackwood from SJ

We significantly outplay the Islanders for 2+ periods but fail to bury the puck often enough to have a commanding lead. We take a soft penalty somewhere in the mid 3rd period and lose the lead OR fall behind on a soft goal scored in part due to a poor penalty kill. It's another killer loss that stops forward momentum towards competing for a shot at the playoffs.

What needs to change to stop that scenario:
1. The offence needs to look to bear down on scoring chances and get meaningful leads when dominating.
2. Fix the PK which is sub par.
3. Better player discipline to avoid unnecessary penalties.
4. New backup goalie for the next season.
5. Personnel change on defence?

These tampering allegations are interesting. On the surface it sounds like what we've all heard so many times before.

Makes you wonder why Andlauer is speaking up now of all times. Maybe just a frustrated owner.

It also seems attempts to link this to ottaws first round pick forfeited are stretching things.

Ref messed up the SO, lol.

I think past 25 years, only Timo Meier, Mika Zibanejad, Johan Franzen, Marian Gaborik, Tage Thompson, Patrik Laine.

After that, there's many that have scored 4. But what's really impressive is that Dany Healthy, Martin Havlat, and Daniel Alfredsson scored 4 goals in a game within the same week (Havlat and Alfie in the same game!). We were spoiled in 2000s man

We were spoiled in 2000s man
- AlfieisKing

What was great back then was that we would pretty consistently make the playoffs. Now, we struggle to put a string of wins together. I'm not sure it has to do with the pieces we have in play but rather with HOW they're played or maybe the chemistry, or both.

I think past 25 years, only Timo Meier, Mika Zibanejad, Johan Franzen, Marian Gaborik, Tage Thompson, Patrik Laine.

After that, there's many that have scored 4. But what's really impressive is that Dany Healthy, Martin Havlat, and Daniel Alfredsson scored 4 goals in a game within the same week (Havlat and Alfie in the same game!). We were spoiled in 2000s man
- AlfieisKing

For me, Matthews scoring 4 goals in his first NHL game was impressive. Forget now which team it was. Brr Brr Brr Brr. Did Zibanejad do it as a Sen or Ranger?

Maybe HB should got down longer, our winning streak was aligned perfectly

For me, Matthews scoring 4 goals in his first NHL game was impressive. Forget now which team it was. Brr Brr Brr Brr. Did Zibanejad do it as a Sen or Ranger?
- systemtool

Rangers

Interesting news during this trade freeze. Columbus has apparently healthy scratched right d-man Damon Severson from the game today (from Aaron Portzline of the Athletic). No trades can officially be made until after Dec. 27th when the trade freeze ends. But this won't stop teams from chatting.
Severson has 17 points in 34 games, makes $6.25 million per season, doesn't become a UFA for 6 more years when he turns 36. He might have a NTC , I am not sure. Why Columbus would consider trading him ? Unless they are restructuring. Everyone talks like he could be a target for the Rangers. Maybe Columbus is sitting him for maintenance reasons or maybe to make a point about effort. Who Knows.

But Severson could be a good target for Ottawa. I would consider packaging Zub in the mix (yes he is injured but could still be traded). Columbus realizes they are not playoff bound so taking an injured player is not an issue. Along with Zub .... maybe Ridley Greig, Crookshank, 2nd round pick? Maybe Sogaard .......... basically Zub and a collection of parts (young pieces). Severson would definitely fit into the top 4 to play with Sanderson.
At some point (trade deadline), Ottawa could go after another top 9 forward if something is available. Back up goaltending is probably something they will pursue in the summer if they don't think Merilainnen or Sogaard are ready (or if they will ever be ready).

That sure sounds like a whole bunch of....."here take our crap Columbus and give us your good defensemen who's under contract"

That sure sounds like a whole bunch of....."here take our crap Columbus and give us your good defensemen who's under contract"
- Octavarium

I wouldn't say that Zub, Greig, and Sogaard as centrepieces are "our crap". For a d-man like Severson .... its a decent return.

Ullmark injured long term it season OTT recalled both Leevi and Soogard...looks like 5+ game loosing streak incoming

Ullmark injured long term it season OTT recalled both Leevi and Soogard...looks like 5+ game loosing streak incoming
- Mithos

Some winnable games coming up too. Dallas and Minni both have been floundering a bit. Then its St Louis, Detroit and Buffalo. Hopefully Ullmark isn't out too long, and if so, the team can rally and use some of this confidence they've gained.

Some winnable games coming up too. Dallas and Minni both have been floundering a bit. Then its St Louis, Detroit and Buffalo. Hopefully Ullmark isn't out too long, and if so, the team can rally and use some of this confidence they've gained.
- david22

on one hand EXCELLENT opportunity for Leevi and or Soogard to cement their back up status for next year, one the other potential season ending strech coming up

Some winnable games coming up too. Dallas and Minni both have been floundering a bit. Then its St Louis, Detroit and Buffalo. Hopefully Ullmark isn't out too long, and if so, the team can rally and use some of this confidence they've gained.
- david22

seasons over, OTT finishes bottom 10 like i predicted

Roster updates from Alex Adams: Ullmark won’t travel on road trip. Perron, Zub, and Forsberg skated today. Forsberg will travel. Amadio out for a while.

ullmark out long term.