By Jose Simoes

Many fans in Montreal were wondering what new GM Pierre Gauthier was thinking when he traded 2009-2010 playoff hero, Jaroslav Halak, to the St. Louis Blues for young forwards Lars Eller and Ian Schultz. After coming off a season in which he split starting duties with incumbent Carey Price, he posted a 26-13-0-5 record with a 2.40 GAA and .924 SV% to Prices 13-20-0-5, 2.77 GAA and .912 SV%. Many thought if either would be traded it would be Price but in a “big picture decision” the Habs saw a higher potential in Price than in Halak.

Following a dominant season and three rounds of playoff experience, Halak shipped off to St. Louis, giving fans visions of the playoffs, dancing in their heads. However, being a starting goalie, and more importantly, playing a starter’s share of minutes would prove to be a difficult adjustment for Halak in his first season with the Blues. After starting the season 8-1-1 in his first 10 games, Halak would see three consecutive runs of four winless games, broken up by two runs of back-to-back wins. This wasn’t exactly the start Blues management, or fans had envisioned, rather.

He would continue this bad run with only three wins in 13 games to start the new year. With the Blues sitting nine points out of the 8th playoff seed, their hopes quickly faded. A hand injury would then sideline Halak for most of February, making only four starts. Upon returning from injury, Halak would win his first four games before posting inconsistent efforts and winning only three of his next nine starts. He finished the season on a strong note by winning his final three games including a season ending shutout but by then the damage was clearly done.

In 2010-2011, the Czech netminder played and additional 12 games more than his previous season with Montreal but would only win one more game, rising from 26 to 27. What happened with those other 11 games? Eight more regulation losses and two more OT losses — not exactly the improvement one would hope to see from a #1 goalie. His GAA would rise as well from 2.40 to 2.48, a minuscule difference but his save percentage plummeted from .924 to .910; average numbers for any starting goalie in the NHL but a decrease from the previous seasons numbers and certainly not elit.

Numbers alone were not a major cause for concern as young goalies often have fluctuations in their numbers. However, this season’s play certainly alarmed the team’s brass.

To start the 2011-2012 NHL Season, Halak holds a 1-4 record with a 3.47 GAA and .835 SV%. By contrast, he didn’t record his fourth loss last season until November 17th –definitely not the same start he had to his St. Louis career. Here are where the numbers get troubling: in his four losses, he has given up 14 goals for a 3.87 GAA and an .825 SV%. By comparison, in the two losses of his first five games in 2010-2011, he gave up 7 goals for a 3.41 GAA and an .873 SV%. The numbers simply spell disaster.

When Halak is good, he’s very good. Through all the inconsistency that was his ’10-’11 campaign he still managed to allow one goal or less in 19 games including an impressive seven shutouts. However when he’s bad, he’s very bad — not giving his team any chance to win. During his first four-game win-less streak of 2010-2011, he allowed 19 goals for a 5.46 GAA and an .800 SV%. In addition, he gave up four goals or more in 12 of his 21 losses and 15 times total which includes seven games in January alone (when the Blues were fighting for a playoff seed).

Has Halak shown he is better suited for a 1-1a situation as opposed to a clear cut #1?

He thrived in Montreal when he was pushing Price for the top spot but likely hit his plateau in St. Louis with Ty Conklin and Ben Bishop posing no real challenge in ’10-‘11. While he is too good to sit on the bench as a #2, benched for 50+ games a year, he could find his comfort level playing between 45-55 games a year. This rest would also allow him to be fully rested when the playoffs start, ready for another long, perhaps surprising run.

Tonight, Brian Elliott will get the call between the pipes against the Vancouver Canucks. The former Ottawa Senator and short-lived Colorado Avalanche has challenged the native of Bratislava for playing time and outperformed him in the early going. Has Halak worried about his role? Not necessarily. From The St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

“Obviously, it’s not the start that I was hoping for, but here we are,” Halak said. “I’ve played five games and I’m 1-4. Obviously I need to work on my game. But it’s a long season. It’s only October. We’ve got so many games coming up. You just need to stay positive and work hard in practice.

“It’s always better to have a slow start than a slow finish. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. We played 82 games. Good thing we don’t play 10 games a season.”

While Elliott may hold less accolades than Halak, he certainly is trying to push the 26-year-old. In return, Halak should reward his team with better play down the stretch — when it actually matters. He has the right attitude and the potential to succeed in the NHL so his doubters may just need a few weeks to go away. Either that, or Halak would become synonymous with Jim Carey, Steve Mason and those who came before them.

By Jeff Quirin
NHLHS Associate Editor and St. Louis Blues Correspondent
 

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It’s only one game. A preseason game no less. But given recent history and the struggles of the St. Louis Blues, a positive start to the team’s 2011-12 campaign will always be welcome news.
 
Off season trade acquisition Evgeny Grachev lead the way for the Blues. His two goal effort powered St. Louis to a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. His first strike at the 15:16 mark of the opening set up by Tampa netminder Matheiu Garon. The huge rebound off Jamie Langenbrunner’s shot popped right to a wide open Grachev who wasted no time quickly snapping the puck past Garon.
 
The game remained 1-0 till Bolts forward Steve Downie answered with his own PPG at 9:35 of the second period. Matt D’Agostini countered seven minutes later with a quick snipe off a Jonathan Cheechoo rebound.
 
Grachev’s second goal came with less than a minute left in regulation. The ENG sealed the fate of the visiting split squad. A 3-1 loss.

Brian Elliott started for the Blues and stopped 21 of 22 Tampa shots on goal. He is battling to backup in St. Louis and needed a clean start to the effort. He certainly had it.
 
Though scoring was low, the game was far from uneventful. Sadly, only in a way that completely detracted from the flow of play. The teams combined for 12 power plays with a man advantage tally for each. The first period was the worst according to the half capacity Scottrade Center crowd . A grand total of  four minors and one double minor were called. Prompting more cries of “let them play” than “ref you suck”.
 
The official’s “quick to whistle” tendencies lead to both clubs extensively testing their penalty kill. The Blues did allow the one goal, but killed off seven other situations. Forwards Chris Porter and Anthony Nigro performed the best a man short aside from the usual suspects like David Backes and BJ Crombeen.
 
Porter’s level of play in this game only tightens his choke hold on the open 13th Forward role.
 
Going in the opposite direction is former Richard Trophy winner Jonathan Cheechoo. As impressive as his shot can still be, he had a difficult time keeping up with Phil McRae and Matt D’Agostini. The hands and head are still there, but the rest of his body is not. That said, it didn’t stop the train from running. The AHL will be more Cheechoo’s speed and he’ll help the Peoria Rivermen greatly.
 
Defenseman Brett Ponich was noticeably more comfortable Tuesday night than during Traverse City. His mobility level is increasing, but still not close to the NHL standard. Especially compared to the other Blues defensemen who dressed. Roman Polak, Kevin Shattenkirk, Mark Cundari and Danny Syvert all skated to their norms. A much leaner Carlo Colaiacovo is the exception. He did not look much quicker than last season. If there is no trade off in improved skating ability, adding the weight loss back in muscle will help an oft injured blueliner like Cola survive the season.
 
One of the more interesting training camp battles took an evolutionary step last night. With the solid performances of Grachev and McRae they should have put themselves at the top of the recall order list. There is little chance they can secure a NHL job right out of camp, unless the injury bug strikes early, but they can be the first to catch a ride on the Peoria Express.
 
TJ Hensick and Brett Sterling will likely get their chance to chip away at the young forwards lead Wednesday night as the Blues and Bolts head to Orlando, FL for a double dip of preseason action.
 
Though the lines, pairings and scratches are not known yet, the lineup heading south and the starting netminder are.
 
Per the Blues official website, Ben Bishop gets the start in goal.
 
Here is the lineup
 

5 – Barret Jackman
6 – Kent Huskins
10 – Andy McDonald
12 – Scott Nichol
17 – Vladimir Sobotka
19 – Stefan Della Rovere
21 – Patrik Berglund
23 – Ian Cole
25 – Chris Stewart
26 – B.J. Crombeen
27 – Alex Pietrangelo
29 – Brett Sterling
30 – Ben Bishop
33 – Brennan Evans
43 – Jake Gannon
45 – Jordan Binnington
47 – Kyle Hagel
61 – Ty Rattie
64 – Nikita Nikitin
65 – Chace Polacek
67 – Yannick Veilleux
75 – Ryan Reaves
77 – TJ Hensick
78 – Evgeny Grachev
79 – Adam Cracknell
81 – Stephen MacAulay
82 – Cade Fairchild

 
The Lightning’s big guns will be on display per beat writer Erik Erlendsson.
 

Line combinations
Tom Pyatt-Vladislav Namestnikov-Blair Jones
Brett Connolly-Vinny Lecavalier-Teddy Purcell
Richard Panik-Tyler Johnson-Michel Ouellet
Cory Conacher-Steven Stamkos-Marty St. Louis
 
Defense
Mattias Ohlund-Eric Brewer
Marc-Andre Bergeron-Matt Gilroy
Mike Vernace-Bruno Gervais
 
Goaltenders (split time)
Dwayne Roloson
Jaroslav Janus

 
According to a scouting report provided by Hockey Independent Lightning scribe Bill Philip, Tampa’s last two first round draft picks the ones to watch for.
 

Right Wing Brett Connolly. Age 19, drafted 2010 first round. The talented winger was the first pick (6th overall) of the Lightning in the 2010 draft. Connolly has good size and is a natural born scorer. The 19 year old was bitten by the injury bug last year, suffering a concussion while with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships and a minor shoulder separation in the first game of the WHL playoffs. In just 59 games, the 6’2”, 188 lbs. forward scored 46 goals and had 27 assists last season with the Prince George Cougars, and was the third leading scorer in the WHL. He has netted 86 goals and 152 points in 144 WHL games. The British Columbia native still has world class speed and uncanny hockey sense. If he can remain healthy, he will be a high scoring first liner over the next decade for the Bolts. Tampa Bay’s number one prospect is still a year away from skating on NHL ice and will probably be sent back to the Cougars.
 
Norfolk coach Jon Cooper coached the Lightning prospects during their three team tourney earlier, praised Connolly’s play, “He’s got phenomenal talent,” Cooper said. “I thought day in and day out he was our best player at the tournament, and you hope that from your first round pick and he delivered.”
 
Projection:  Scoring line winger within the next three seasons.
 
Center Vladislav Namestnikov .  Age 19, drafted 2011 first round. The Russian is a very skilled offensive center. He is a reliable finisher with an impressive wrist shot and is a good playmaker who takes advantage of open space. He’s a solid two-way player who needs to gain strength. In his first season in the Ontario Hockey League, he led the London Knights with 30 goals (30-38–68), 11 on the power play, and a plus-12 rating in 2010-11. Namestnikov represented Russia at the 2010 Under-18 World Championships in Belarus, tying for the team lead with five goals (5-2–7) in seven games – Russia finished fourth. He also represented his country at the World Under-17 Challenge tallying eight goals (8-2-10) in five games.                        
 
Namestnikov’s uncle, Vyacheslov Kozlov, is a former Stanley Cup winning, Red Wing teammate of Bolts GM Steve Yzerman. “He always took me to the rink and showed me the locker room, got to meet all the guys. So it was really great growing up with him. (My favorite was) probably Steve Yzerman. He was the captain of the Red Wings at that time,” said Namestnikov
 
Coach Guy Boucher said of Namestnikov, ”He’s a great player trying to “pick it up and figure it out.”
 
Projection: Second or third line center in two to four years.

(Update 2pm CST – Blues Lines and Pairings per beat reporter Lou Korac)
 

Forward Lines
Brett Sterling-Patrik Berglund-Chris Stewart
Stefan Della Rovere-Vladimir Sobotka-B.J. Crombeen
Evgeny Grachev-T.J. Hensick-Ty Rattie
Yannick Veilleux-Adam Cracknell-Ryan Reaves
 
Defensive Pairings
Kent Huskins-Alex Pietrangelo
Barret Jackman-Ian Cole
Nikita Nikitin-Cade Fairchild

 
A few quick thoughts on the set up…
 
- Sterling with Berglund and Stewart is to give Sterling ice-time with skilled players to help determine his place in the recall order with Grachev and Phil McRae. It’s also a good indication that to start the season Berglund and Stewart will be paired together.
 
- Grachev with Henscik is about comparing their play side by side as it were, but also to see if they can form some chemistry to carry them over in to Peoria. Adding Ty Rattie on their wing will also allow the Blues to see where his development is at. If he can keep up with skilled players just a step or two ahead of him, maybe he really isn’t a step or two behind.
 
- Cracknell and Reaves get their first chance to cut away at Chris Porter’s lead on an NHL roster spot.
 
- With the opportunity to pair Jackman and Pietrangelo together, not doing so may say an awful lot. Either that the Blues know they have chemistry from last season’s success or that they don’t intend to pair the two at the start of the season. A situation to monitor, especially for you fantasy players in deep leagues. Jackman with Petro could really boost Jackman’s Plus/Minus and inflate his assist and point totals.
 
- Cole paired with Jackman says: “show you can keep up with the big boys because at some point, you’ll be up and be required to”.
 
- Don’t read more in to Nikitin on the third pairing that just that. He should see it as a chance to prove he’s well ahead of someone like Fairchild, but also support a more offensive minded partner. There is a very strong potential that he is paired with Kevin Shattenkirk during the season. Taking care of business now will build confidence he can later.
 

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Check back later tonight or tomorrow for another recap and FYI for the next preseason game.
 
Thanks for reading. As always you’re welcome to follow me on Twitter: @JTQ_1 for thoughts and news from the Blues and around the NHL.

They don’t say “Feed the Mule” for no reason. Johan Franzen comes up big at those opportune moments.

In Wednesday night’s game against the ever-struggling Ottawa Senators, the Detroit Red Wings couldn’t hold a lead for more than a minute. It was annoying, to say the least. Franzen’s first two goals came just forty-eight seconds apart to give the Red Wings their first minute-long lead of the game.

Kris Draper scored halfway through the second period, with a snipe of a goal coming from Niklas Kronwall thirteen seconds later. It led to the Senators pulling Robin Lehner and bringing in Brian Elliott. This lead lasted for almost thirty seconds.

Franzen’s first career regular-season hat trick came thirty seconds into the third. (Keep in mind that he has three postseason hat tricks.) This lead lasted twenty-nine seconds. Finally, he netted the game-winner and his fourth of the night. Henrik Zetterberg passed off the puck to let Franzen have the empty net goal and cement the victory for the Red Wings.

The last time an NHL player had five goals in a game was Marian Gaborik with the Minnesota Wild back in 2007. The last time it happened for the Red Wings was in 1996 by Sergei Fedorov.

With his five goals, The Mule now leads the team with twenty-six goals and is on pace for a career-high forty-two goals. And as an interesting little tidbit (and one to remember for your fantasy team in the future): since the 2007-2008 season, Franzen has 22 game-winning goals. That’s not half-bad.

The game against Ottawa also marked the comeback of Dan Cleary, who has been out since December 26 after suffering a fractured ankle. As hockey fans, we know not to expect too much of a player in their first game back after a lengthy injury.

He had one fantastic opportunity for a goal. The puck was on his stick and all he had to do was lift it over a sprawling Elliott. But somehow the puck launched up into the netting and out of play. It was easy to see the disappointment on Cleary’s face afterward. He only needs 4 more goals to tie his career-high twenty in a season.

Both Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom are slated to come back in either Saturday or Monday’s games. Brad Stuart is still sidelined for at least two more weeks while Chris Osgood and Mike Modano are out until early or mid March.

Last season after the Olympic break, the Red Wings were on fire, jettisoning them into the playoffs. While they many not have to push as hard as last year, the question still remains the same: Will they be that red-hot again?

Christina Roberts
NHLHS Detroit Red Wings Correspondent
Email: christina.roberts@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @franzenmuth

One person that made sure to let them know, Lightning head coach, Guy Boucher. “Some will say we won that one,” Boucher told the Associated Press. “We did bounce back, but I want a lot more than that.”We usually come out with a lot more desire than that. We need to be better,” he added.
Dwayne Roloson was exceptional to say the least making 31 saves, and collected his second win as a member of the Lightning. Roloson stopped a wave of shots in the second period except one, that from Zack Smith.
Scoring chance generated as Lightning defenseman, Victor Hedman attempted to hold the offensive zone, though Jesse Winchester had other plans as he skated 2 on 1 with Smith setting him up for the marker at 17:25 of the second.
Senators’ goaltender, Brian Elliot, after playing last night, came out standing tall as he stopped 25 of 27 shots faced.
For the Lightning, coming out strong to start the third period was important if they wanted to knot this game up. A forecheck led by Adam Hall caused an Alex Kovalev turnover, picked up by Dominic Moore who rewarded Hall with a feed in front for the game tying goal just 1:47 into the period.
At 5:43 of the third, Martin St.Louis collected yet another game winning goal setup by Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone. Shots taken by both before it trickled to St.Louis at the side of the net to put it past Brian Elliot.
Roloson was tested again one last time in the third during another surge from the Senators, but would hold on for the 2-1 victory.
Tampa Bay travels to New Jersey to take on the Devils tomorrow at 5:00PM. It has already confirmed that Martin Brodeur will be between the pipes against the Lightning.

The Ottawa Senators welcome the Boston Bruins to Scotiabank Place tonight.

This should be a very tough challenge for Ottawa, as Boston is one of the teams favoured to win the Northeast division this year.   The Bruins are rolling right now, having won four of their last five games and are coming off a 2-0 win against the Maple Leafs.  Tim Thomas has always been rock solid in net against Ottawa, and expect more of the same tonight. Thomas has been outstanding to start the season this year, posting a 0.60 goals against average and .980 save percentage through 5 games, all of which are wins.

Ottawa is going to have to maintain pressure in the offensive zone, and get lots of shots on goal to be successful in this one. This is something Ottawa has had trouble with in some games this year. The first goal will be crucial for Ottawa, as Boston can shut it down like the best of them. The Sens are looking for their third straight win following a 5-3 win over the Panthers.

Brian Elliott will get his seventh straight start tonight, Pascal Leclaire continues to recuperate from injury problems.  Leclaire is making progress while skating, and a time line for his return is within the next two weeks. Filip Kuba is also skating, and is expected to return along a similar time line.

The Senators welcome Jason Spezza back into the lineup tonight, who missed four games with a nagging groin injury. Spezza has been decent to start the year averaging a point per game through five games. Unfortunately, as Ottawa gets one man back in the lineup in Spezza, they lose another in Milan Michalek who is suffering from tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee and will be out for at least a week.

Sens starting Lineup:

Regin-Spezza-Kovalev

Foligno-Fisher-Alfredsson

Ruutu-Kelly-Neil

Smith-Winchester-Shannon

Enjoy the game, it should be a good one.

Regional broadcast is on CBC tonight.

Mike Stelcner
NHLHS Ottawa Senators Correspondent
mstelcner@nhlhotstove.com

The Ottawa Senators enter the 2010-2011 season with many of the same questions that surrounded this team one year ago.  The Senators surprised many by qualifying for the playoffs and finishing as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.  The off-season brought some significant change in the capital for the first time in a while.  Mainstay defensemen Anton Volchenkov who had spent his entire seven year career in Ottawa, left for New Jersey. To replace him, Bryan Murray made a major splash in free agency by signing veteran Sergei Gonchar.   The Sens are counting on their offensive weapons such as Jason Spezza, Alex Kovalev and Milan Michalek to have bounce back seasons and for Mike Fisher to match his output.

The teams biggest uncertainty remains goaltending , as they will need Pascal Leclaire to step up and install some confidence in coaching and management who have expected big things from him since his acquisition in 2009.

FORWARDS

The most scrutinized player, the guy most often on the hot seat and the guy  who needs to become a leader; Jason Spezza.  After a whole summer of trying to fight off rumors of his unhappiness and speculation he was on his way out, Spezza enters the season with a new focus and determination. Tired of being booed by his own fan base and constantly doubted, Spezza knows he must not only return to his 90 point form but also must come out of the gate firing.  The fact is the  27 year old is in his prime and is a top 10 center in the league who should be a point per game player if not more.

Another key for the Sens offense this season is Alex Kovalev who enters a contract year, also with something to prove.  Nearing the end of his career and coming off major knee surgery in the summer, he must be more consistent and not disappear for long stretches which he is known for.  Nobody expects an 80 point season like the one had in Montreal just a few short years ago, but Sens fans certainly expect to see a bit more passion from the dazzling Russian who at times looked and sounded like he was missing Montreal a little too much.

Any Senators fan who has caught any of training camp or preseason action, know full well that Nick Foligno is primed for a breakout season.  The decision by Murray to not  add a top 6 forward but rather have someone on the roster earn a promotion already looks to be  making sense. Foligno came to camp with added size and muscle and worked on many aspects of his game, and is now ready to make the jump on to one of the top two lines while making a significant contribution to the team.  While it’s hard to gauge much from pre-season play, it is very possible that Foligno puts up 30 goals/60 points; poolies take notice if you haven’t already.

Another solid candidate to have a breakout season is center Peter Regin. He displayed a lot of his untapped potential in last springs playoff series against Pittsburgh and he will look to build upon that and gives the Sens another threat up front.

DEFENSE

With the addition of Gonchar and the loss of Volchenkov, the Sens will be returning to their offensive-defensive approach and will finally have someone on the backend to make that big breakout pass ala Wade Redden in his prime.  It almost goes without saying that Gonchar’s largest impact will be on the Powerplay which desperately needed help after finishing 21st in the league. Gonchar, who has averaged 50 points a season for the last five years, is one of the top  powerplay quarterbacks in the league.  It is also expected that young Sweedish stud Erik Karlsson will take another step forward and flirt with 40 points while receiving more ice-time and of course more responsibility. There is always the threat of the dreaded sophomore slump, but it’s better that is not mentioned.

After a strong finish last season and leading  the team in scoring in the pre-season, Chris Campoli will be counted on for a larger contribution.  The 26 year old will look to make more strides this season.  Matt Carkner returns as the rough and gritty in your face #5 d-man. Without Volchenkov to lay down multiple hits hits a game, Carkner will need to step up and make sure the Senators net is protected.

GOALTENDING

Can either Pascal Leclaire or Brian Elliott make a statement this season that they deserve the #1 job? After a very shaky pre-season from both, it looks like this could be the Senators downfall once again. While pre-season is never the be-all/end-all for player evaluation, there were times when both guys looked like they didn’t even belong in the NHL.  Until one of them proves they can handle the load, Cory Clouston will likely rotate them on a game to game basis.  If things really get ugly and the Sens start losing games because of their goalies, something will have to give.

Keep a close eye on blue-chip prospect Robin Lehner down in Binghamton as well as GM Bryan Murray possibly making a trade for an immediate fix.  If Leclaire can somehow both stay healthy and play to expectations, or if  Elliott can match his play from last year, there will be a lot less stress in the Nation’s Capital.

SUMMARY

The Senators certainly have some interesting pieces in place to be a contender in the Eastern Conference, but it’s going to be tough for them to win their division after the improvements the Bruins made.  They will continue to be a team that responds well to Clouston’s direction, a team that has a solid combination of talent and grit.  As captain Daniel Alfredsson’s career winds down, the Sens must take that next step and make a deep run in the spring.  If a true #1 goaltender can be acquired than the Sens are a very dangerous team.

Prediction: 4th in the East

Mike Stelcner
NHLHS Ottawa Senators Correspondent
mstelcner@nhlhotstove.com

Ottawa Senators by Luca Vacca of LeafsWire

The Ottawa Senators have a very steep mountain to climb if they want to advance past the first round of the 2010 NHL playoffs. After drawing Pittsburgh as their opponent, Ottawa will be tasked with shutting down two of the premier players in the league, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Couple that with an impressive supporting cast of forwards, a dangerously offensive blueline, and a proven playoff goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury, the odds look insurmountable for Ottawa. However, Ottawa does have the potential to upset the defending Stanley Cup champions, and heres how.

In terms of defense, the Penguins blueline leaves much to be desired. Althought they compete at a high offensive level each game, they have such shortcomings in keeping pucks out, it just might be Ottawa’s saving grace.  Daniel Alfredsson once again led his team in points this year, with Jason Spezza falling far behind due to injury. The absence of Heatley on a team that never really regained the lost offence really hurts, but the Senators have perservered. They have stocked their team up with pre trade deadline acquisitions (Andy Sutton, Matt Cullen, etc.) and look poised to make a run at the later playoff rounds. The only big uncertainty for them is their stability in net. Brian Elliot has played better as of late, but can he continue and translate it into post-season success. Pascal Leclaire has had a year to forget in Ottawa, and Brian Elliott is the only legitimate goaltending option they have.

In terms of their roster, Ottawa heads into the playoffs with Filip Kuba and Alexei Kovalev sidelined. Kuba was a significant part of their defense, and although Kovalev did little during the season, it would have been interesting to see what he could have done come playoff time.

In conclusion, the odds are stacked greatly against Ottawa, but the Penguins aren’t perfect, and the Senators might just find a way to dethrone the champion Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins by Joe Depto

To earn victory in the postseason, you need both experience and goaltending. The Penguins have the Ottawa Senators beat in spades in both categories. Over half of Pittsburgh’s roster has Stanley Cup Finals experience, 11 of which have been with the Penguins both of their Cup Finals appearances the last two seasons, including a championship team last season (In fact, only five players from the Penguins current roster were not part of last year’s team that beat Detroit for the cup).

Goaltending will also be imperative in this, and every, NHL playoff series. Bar none, Marc-Andre Fleury has been the NHL’s finest postseason goalie both of the last two seasons, winning 30 playoff games in two seasons; earning two Finals appearances and one cup run in the process. He also features a impressive 2.29 GAA in his two most recent postseasons (44 games played over that span of time). Pittsburgh will have a significant edge in this department over Ottawa goalie Brian Elliott, who will be making his NHL Playoff debut between the pipes for the Senators this evening.

Up front, the Penguins will have even the underrated Ottawa forwards ousted with gusto. Players like Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson have earned their place in Senators lore, including winning a Prince of Wales trophy of their own in 2007. But Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby is hockey’s most heralded champion for a reason, as is last year’s Conn Smythe award winning center Evgeni Malkin. These superstars, along with Jordan Staal, will make it impossible for the Senators to get their desired matchups and, eventually, proper offensive production.

Ottawa features a bruised and depleted blueline. As talented as Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov have been for the Sens, lacking Alex Kovalev and Filip Kuba at defense will add insult to injury when the Pens stars step into the spotlight. Pittsburgh’s defense has been maddeningly inconsistent at times this series, but with 4 out of their 6 blueliners Cup-Final-tested, they will be ready for the Ottawa Senators when the puck drops for Game 1. These two teams have met in the playoffs in the last 3 out of 4 years. For the second time out of those three match-ups, expect the Pens to have their satisfaction.

In what has become a veritable rollercoaster-type season for the Philadelphia Flyers, the lowpoints are seemingly falling deeper and deeper.

With last night’s 2-0 shutout loss to Brian Elliott and the Ottawa Senators, the Orange and Black now trails Ottawa by 4 points.  Only one point separates the Flyers from the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.  The Boston Bruins currently sit in that slot and have a game in hand on the Flyers.  And the rejuvenated Atlanta Thrashers are just 4 points from knocking Philadelphia out of the postseason entirely.

A familiar problem for the Flyers has once again reared it’s ugly head, one that no one thought would afflict a Philly team with so much offensive potential this season.  But they have again run into a stretch where they have a complete lack of generating any offense.   And it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

After scoring 11 goals in their first 2 games back from the Olympic break, Philadelphia has mustered just 22 goals in their last 11 contests, in which they have a 4-5-2 record.  This is reminiscent of a span in November and December where the Flyers went on a 3-13-1 skid, a stretch in which Philadelphia managed just 30 goals in those 17 games.

And this in a season when the Flyers addressed an issue in the lack of scoring from their defenseman when they acquired Chris Pronger in the offseason.  Philadelphia was ranked dead last in goals scored by defenseman with 20 in 2008-09, the Flyer’s D has already scored 26 during the 2009-10 campaign.  Pronger’s has contributed 10 goals, the first Flyer defenseman to register double-digit goals in a season since Joni Pitkanen did so in the 2005-06 season.

The dropoff has been with the forwards.  After having six forwards with 25 goals or more on the roster last season, the Flyers appear to have a realistic chance at having just three this year.

The Flyers have scored just 3 goals in the last 3 contests, and just 6 in the 4 games since starting goaltender Michael Leighton’s injury.  This has put the onus on Brian Boucher to be almost-perfect, and although Boucher has let in a couple of weak goals, he has had no room for error, whatsoever.

The team’s offensive inconsistency was not expected when the season began.

Scott Hartnell was coming off a career-best 30 goals last year, but now sits at just 14.  In addition to not actually as many scoring goals, he has not been near the chaotic force in front of opposing goaltenders that led to teammates scoring that he was last year.  And Hartnell’s continued lack of discipline has created far too many opposition power plays.

A healthy Danny Briere was expected to provide a much bigger impact this year than the 11 goals in just 29 games last season in an injury-plagued 2008-09.  Even though he has chipped in with 24 this season, which ranks third on the team, a much more consistent contribution was contemplated.  Briere has completely disappeared for weeks at a time far too often during the course of the current season.

Simon Gagne had scored 34 goals a year ago, but has managed just 15 in 49 games so far this season.  He has looked much more aggressive in making plays and getting into a position for high percentage shots, so the Flyers are hoping that he can be a difference-maker down the stretch.

Claude Giroux has been one of the most baffling players to suit up for Philadelphia this season.  Coming off a playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins last year where he was one of the best players in Orange and Black, expectations were for Giroux to pick right up where he had left off and become a steady contributor this year.  Possessed with magician-like offensive skills, Giroux has just 1 goal and 2 assists in his last 12 games.  And his 14 goals and 27 assists in 73 games have to be looked at as disappointing.

Captain Mike Richards has 28 goals thus far in the 2009-10 season, but at times has looked too laid back, especially on the power play.  Skating with the puck along the boards or even sometimes on 2-on-1 breaks, he has appeared to be ready to make a last-possible-moment highlight reel pass for a teammate’s slam dunk goal.  Too many times he has taken himself out of the play and Philly has come away with a squandered scoring chance.  If the fierce competitiveness that permeates every other aspect of his game were to be applied to taking the puck to the net, Richards could be elevated in the view of the hockey world to the Steve Yzerman or Joe Sakic plateau.

Make no mistake, when Jeff Carter went down over the weekend with a fracture in his left foot, it was a crushing blow.  Not only did Carter lead Philadelphia in goals with 33, he was the most consistent offensive threat that the team has had throughout the entire year.  His 11 goals in the last 16 games before his injury on Sunday were a godsend for the Orange and Black, and he will be sorely missed.  The good news is that if the Flyers can get themselves into the playoffs, Carter should be available to return sometime during the first round.

That being said, Carter’s injury cannot be used as an excuse.  Look no further than the Ottawa Senators as an example of a team that could have had a reason to use injuries as a crutch.  When they lost both Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson at the same time for a three week long stretch, their team survived.

At a time when they could have folded their tents, the foot soldiers all stepped forward and upped their games and contributions.  Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly, Ryan Shannon, and even Alexei Kovalev, among others, took turns contributing at key times.  The Senators stayed afloat and hit their stride when Spezza and Alfredsson returned.  That’s what good teams do when times get tough.

This is the time when all of the points the Flyers lost with blown leads late in contests and squandered points in nonchalant efforts are hanging over the team’s collective head like the Sword of Damocles.  And much like games last season in which points were lost, including on the season’s last day when the NY Rangers defeated Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center on a Blair Betts (yes, the same Blair Betts that plays for the Flyers now) goal late in regulation.  The regulation loss meant that Philly finished a point behind their first round opponent, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and it cost the Flyers precious home-ice advantage.  The eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pens got the jump in Pittsburgh and ousted the Orange and Black in 6 games.

Coach Peter Laviolette and GM Paul Holmgren must be hoping that their foot soldiers are at the ready to make the move and start contributing on a consistent basis.  In addition to the above-mentioned players, Philadelphia could use more down the stretch from Darroll Powe (8 goals), Ian Laperriere (3 goals), Daniel Carcillo (10 goals), Betts (8 goals), rookie James van Riemsdyk (14 goals), Ville Leino (1 goal in 6 games), and Arron Asham (7 goals).

In addition to a litany of No-Trade Clauses on his roster, I firmly believe that Holmgren didn’t make any deals at the NHL trade dealine because when you look at the lineup, the offense should be there.  It’s all a matter of just getting the right combination and chemistry between linemates, and Laviolette has his work cut out for him over the last 9 games of the regular season.

And all the while, a season that could go either way hangs in the balance.

David Strehle
NHLHS Flyers Correspondent / NHL Writer
dstrehle@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @PhilaDAVEia

Atlantic Division

• Though it is impossible to predict general manager Glen Sather’s next move, last night’s benching of Wade Redden just 2:05 into the second period makes it likely that the Blueshirts will recall a defenseman from Hartford for the three-game western tour that begins with a game in Phoenix on Saturday.
• Had the Islanders played from the start with the urgency they showed in the third period of last night’s 4-1 loss to the Hurricanes, they would’ve had a good chance to leapfrog a few teams huddled in the middle of the Eastern Conference.But they didn’t.
• Sidney Crosby rarely fares well against Ottawa. That, combined with the Senators riding red-hot goalie Brian Elliott to a seven-game winning streak entering Thursday’s game at Mellon Arena, created the formula for a Penguins loss. Elliott stopped 30 of 31 shots, and the Senators made it look easy, winning their eighth in a row in a 4-1 victory against the Penguins.
• During an eye-opening second-period stretch Thursday night, Flyers center Claude Giroux must have thought he was back in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He was that dominating.

Northeast Division

• Somewhere in the midst of Jaro Halak‘s big weekend (two critical games against strong opposition, two wins, 64 shots, one goal) I recalled a curious fact mentioned by Alain Crête on RDS a few weeks back: Never in his NHL career (his Canadiens career, in other words) has Halak started a game after a loss.
• The last time the Ottawa Senators won a franchise-record eight straight games, things ended quite badly for them. After dominating the National Hockey League in October and November of 2007, they hit a wall, got their coach fired and were flicked out of the playoffs in four games by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• On a normal day, defenseman Toni Lydman sits at his locker at one end of the Buffalo Sabres’ dressing room using his distinctive, droll voice to give some insight or perhaps drop some self-deprecating quip on anyone who asks for it.
• The last time the Ottawa Senators won a franchise-record eight straight games, things ended quite badly for them. After dominating the National Hockey League in October and November of 2007, they hit a wall, got their coach fired and were flicked out of the playoffs in four games by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
• What the Bruins need, and it doesn’t matter much how it happens, is a win. They need to stop the tide of negativity and self-doubt that surrounds the club, and start rebuilding the collective confidence.
• The B’s hope that four days of strong practices, and the potential return of three injured forwards tonight in Buffalo against the division-leading Sabres, will make those goals happen. They’d better.

Southeast Division

• It’s a modest winning streak, but a winning streak nonetheless. The Thrashers will take it — in dramatic fashion. Give much of the credit to Jim Slater and Evander Kane. The duo combined on two very similar goals to lift the Thrashers to 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Philadelphia on Thursday at the Wachovia Center.
• Eric Staal is playing his best hockey. Then again, so is Cam Ward. And if those two are going, scoring goals and preventing them as well as anyone in the NHL, one has to figure the Carolina Hurricanes have been at their best, as well.
• NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, in his ongoing effort to resolve the Lightning’s ownership issues, has recruited Boston hedge fund manager Jeff Vinik to explore becoming either a majority partner or outright owner of the team.
• Nearing a record roll: With a win, the Capitals can stretch their winning streak to nine, which would be their longest since Bryan Murray coached the 1983-84 edition to 10 in a row. Washington is averaging more than five goals per game during that time and has received goals from 15 players, including seven from Alex Ovechkin and six from third-liners Eric Fehr, Brendan Morrison and Jason Chimera. A regulation win would give Washington a 23-point edge over the second-place Panthers in the Southeast Division with 28 games remaining.
• For a while, scoring was easy for Stephen Weiss. Among the goals the Panthers center was piling up were some from rebounds that seemed to bounce right to the tape on his stick blade. He could use some of that luck now. Weiss, who tallied five goals in six games leading up to the Christmas break, has just one goal in his past 14 games. He scored that Jan. 13 – the last time the Panthers played the Capitals.

Hat tip to the now defunct Illegal Curve for their permission in taking over this daily series.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC

Atlantic Division

• The Devils’ postgame dressing room was empty. Just like the net behind Senators goalie Brian Elliott. Even when they were missing some of their key players because of injuries early in the season, the Devils did not get shut out in their first 46 games. It’s been a struggle to score goals ever since. “I think you can obviously see that,” captain Jamie Langenbrunner said. “We haven’t scored a lot of goals of late. It is a problem. You have to score some goals to win in this league and we haven’t done that.”
• There is no cool, new statistic that can revolutionize the game of hockey. There’s no OPS or WHIP, like in baseball. So for Scott Gordon, the most insider-ish stat he consults is the very self-explanatory scoring chance. You get more scoring chances than the opponent, you’re probably going to win. You let them get more chances, and you get what the Islanders got last night.
• Re-assignments to the AHL of forwards Chris Conner and Nick Johnson on Tuesday were certainly not a reflection of their work while with the Penguins. And the moves might not indicate injured wingers Max Talbot and Bill Guerin will play Thursday against Ottawa at Mellon Arena.
• One day after they fell to Pittsburgh, 2-1, with all three goals scored on the power play, the Flyers worked on just special teams yesterday in a 40-minute workout at the Skate Zone in Voorhees. In a unique drill that coach Peter Laviolette introduced to the Flyers, the penalty killers strapped on special shinpads to protect against injury when getting in the way of slap shots and used sticks that had a blade half the regular length.
• There’s more to the Rangers’ paltry offensive numbers than meets the eye -- they’re even worse than they seem. The Rangers have lost three games in a row, scoring just 17 goals in their past eight games. But the numbers are inflated by an eight-goal and a six-goal game during the stretch — the Rangers were shut out in four of them. Of the 17 total goals, only three were scored on the power play, which explains why the team spent the hour-long practice yesterday practicing the man advantage.

Northeast Division

• All Ron Wilson needs now is a blindfold and a cigarette. More and more, the Maple Leafs coach has the look of a condemned man. His team is in another free fall. Tuesday night’s 5-3 loss to the big, young and fast Los Angeles Kings was Toronto’s fourth in a row, and the dream of making the playoffs has become one of those lottery deals, with the huge odds against. Toronto remains in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, with the last-place Carolina Hurricanes nipping at their heels.
• When the Bruins are playing their game, there’s a healthy dose of aggression and intimidation that complements their skill and proves fruitful. You belt an opponent’s defensemen enough, and it’s amazing how many more scoring opportunities materialize. Usually leading the way in that department is Milan Lucic.
• Game after game, the Ottawa Senators chip away at their nemeses. They couldn’t win on the road, then won four straight between Jan. 14-23. They couldn’t beat Tim Thomas and the Boston Bruins, then beat them twice last week. They couldn’t find consistency in their goaltending, then Brian Elliott emerged to become last week’s No. 1 star in the NHL. What is left to conquer besides continuing to secure a solid playoff position?
• Jaroslav Halak did everything he could to steal a point, but he didn’t get much help from his teammates as the Florida Panthers posted a well-deserved 2-1 victory over the Canadiens on Tuesday night. Shawn Matthias scored twice in the third period to spark the come-from-behind win by the Panthers who dominated the game from start to finish. Matthias scored the game-winner on a goalmouth scramble at 12:29. Wonder if the Habs have figured out who the #1 is the rest of the season?
• The Buffalo Sabres had an unwelcome addition to their charter flight home Tuesday. It was as annoying as rubber-gloved patdowns at the airport, as deflating as the nonstop rain they encountered on their Western swing. Losing is not easy nor fun for teams but the way Buffalo has lost its last four is purely frustrating.

Southeast Division

• Alexander Semin tallied twice in the first period, and the Capitals got goals from five others, including John Erskine’s first in 109 games, as they humbled the Islanders, 7-2, and extended their winning streak to a season-best seven games.
• Think of this for a moment: If the Lightning beats the Canadiens tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum, the team will have its first three-game winning streak of the season. Now think of this: Tampa Bay has not won more than two straight in exactly a year. Whom did it beat Jan. 27, 2009 at the Times Forum to win its third in a row?
• Here we are again. The night starts with the team ranked 25^th of 30 in the standings, the stands are half-empty and the talk leading to another trade deadline is not about the potential inbox but the likely outbox. This is not what the NHL banked on (pun absolutely intended) when it brought Atlanta back into the league. It is not what former owner Ted Turner intended when he spent $80 million for an expansion franchise that in 2009 was ranked 29^th in total value ($143 million), ahead of only the Phoenix Coyotes, who were in bankruptcy. It’s certainly not what the shrinking base of hockey fans in Atlanta deserves.
• Shawn Matthias scored two goals in his second NHL game ever. They pale in comparison to the pair he put up Tuesday night. The 21-year-old center beat Montreal goalie Jaroslav Halak on a penalty shot three minutes into the third period and then stuck in a rebound in traffic in front of the net.
• Jussi Jokinen is the kind of player who seems to be overlooked and at times underappreciated. The Carolina Hurricanes forward was overlooked when Finland’s Olympic team was chosen for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. The past few games, he has been generally overlooked as Eric Staal took over the team captaincy – and scored a hat trick against Atlanta in his first game wearing the “C” – and goaltender Cam Ward became the franchise leader in career wins.

Hat tip to the now defunct Illegal Curve for their permission in taking over this daily series.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC