It looks like that "extra motivation" for Dany Heatley coming into his hometown didn't motivate him or the team. Goals by Chris Phillips, Jason Spezza, and Alexandre Picard was better than games a month ago when they weren't able to muster up any goals, but the defensive effort isn't there anymore.

The losses before this game of their best 2 defenseman, Filip Kuba and Anton Volchenkov really set the tone for this game. Brendan Bell was very uninspired tonight, and I think maybe, just maybe he should go back to Bingo. Christoph Schubert and Brian Lee are imprvoing, but it will talke time to get back to the forms they had last year. Jason Smith was the best defenseman tonight. He was totally aware on the ice and makes smart plays. Chris Phillips got a goal once again, and he might be developing a wicked shot, but he was easily to blame 4 of the 6 goals.

Craig Simpson noted out perfectly that Craig Hartsburg should have called a timeout after that 3 goal surge by the Flames to take the game. It would have calmed down the troops and given them some rest too. Instead, the Sens wasted the rest of the 2nd period. Alex Auld played a good game, and was let to dry by his teammates. He's making the saves as he did, but now he isn't winning because of the guys in front of him. I will be totally shocked if he doesn't start tomorrow in Vancouver.

Secondary Scoring is a huge issue for this club. Antoine Vermette and Mike Fisher each had a bounty of chances, and as stated 2 posts ago, we could see them gone in not too long. Chris Kelly had chances too, but unlike Fisher and Vermette, he got rebounds and created chances for other players too, so you can't rest too much blame on him. Jarkko Ruutu actually didn't play so good. He did get onto the nerves of Dion Phaneuf and Eric Nystrom, but he was to blame for the 4th goal, the one that ended the game.

Cody Bass is now reportedly gone for the road trip along with fellow forward Jesse Winchester, and defensemen Anton Volchenkov and Filip Kuba. Ilya Zubov, who was shockingly a healthy scratch tonight, will take his place.

So tomorrow the crew continues the road trip, and will try to harbor any little chances left of having a winning streak on this road trip against the Vancouver Canucks. Good thing Luongo and Sundin are not playing.

Thanks For Reading!!!

1 Comment:

  1. SensChirp said...
    Interesting post,

    Hit me with an email at sensrumours@hotmail.com

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