CBC-Sports

Is anyone taking the Sens seriously?

March 5, 2010 10:50 AM | Posted by   Jim Hughson  

Read up on the latest tidbits and trends as Hockey Night in Canada’s play-by-play voice Jim Hughson takes you behind the scenes and into the game.

This week's work: Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators: March 6, 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT (CBC, CBCSports.ca).

The Script:

The team has climbed to third in the Eastern Conference, had an 11-game winning streak, look to have better balance than in recent years under a no-nonsense coach who’s snapped them to attention and might have solved an age old goaltending problem.

But is anyone taking the Ottawa Senators seriously?

An 11 year playoff run too often fell short of expectation and even though the Senators are just three years removed from a trip to the final they missed the playoffs last season so are surrounded by an understandable skepticism, or at least a 'show me' attitude.

Now after winning 14 of 16 games before the Olympic break the Senators have started the stretch run with two straight losses in which they were sloppy defensively and had to use both goalies in each game.

So the Senators are a script with an unpredictable finish that might be a head scratcher, could be a flag waver and will most assuredly be a nailbiter.

Up front there’s a lot to like. Mike Fishers’ bounce back season and the addition of Milan Michalek, Alex Kovalev and now Matt Cullen have given Ottawa balanced scoring it hasn’t had in recent years. But a thin defence and inexperienced goaltenders raise some questions.

After trading for Pascal Leclaire the Senators might have found their No. 1 goaltender in their backyard. Brian Elliott has excellent credentials and took the net a little earlier than expected but it looks like it might take both goalies to get the Senators to the play-offs where neither has ever faced a puck.

The Olympic break came at the worst possible time for the Senators. They’ve lost momentum and badly need it back for a first place finish in their division and a favourable playoff matchup.

That makes the threadbare Leafs the perfect opponent ... unless the Senators think so.

On the Hot Stove:

If the Phil Kessel deal is to be deemed a success and if the Leafs are ever to return to prominence they’ll have to improve at centre ice.

The only big pivot they have is John Mitchell and he seems destined for the bottom six group. Tyler Bozak shows some real promise and is getting a chance to show what he can do with Kessel. Mikhail Grabovski is quick and determined but he’s small and has only 52 assists in 147 NHL games, and Nazem Kadri is just 19.

It seems likely Brian Burke’s next big move will be for a centre to play with Kessel even if someone in the current group lights it up down the stretch.

ISO Camera on:

Jason Spezza missed the playoffs last year, was left off Canada’s Olympic team and has been out 22 games with an injury. It’s been a forgettable year that can be salvaged with a fantastic second half and, at times, Spezza looks well on his way.
A pass-first centre, Spezza has come back shooting with 10 goals in 13 games since mid-January. His line with Daniel Alfredsson and Michalek is as good or better than most in the league.

On a good team with great linemates Spezza has a chance to re-establish himself as one of the league's top forwards and is a big reason why Ottawa might be able to accomplish something come playoff time .

Tape room topics:

Dependable Daniel Alfredsson just keeps on churning out productive seasons on his way to the hall of fame. Alfie is closing in on 20 goals for the 10th consecutive season and, in the next month, should reach 1,000 games at about the same time he gets to 1,000 points. A tough competitor, quick healer and quiet leader, Alfredsson has competed in 101 playoff games and looks like he could easily handle another long spring run.

This will be Dion Phaneufs’ second foray into the battle of Ontario. He had an assist in his first game and left a solid impression as the Leafs snapped Ottawa's 11-game streak with a 5-0 win on Feb. 6. He could be the central figure in this rivalry for years to come because he can score, hit and aggravate. Phaneuf will be a bitter enemy of the Senators because it won’t be long before he lays somebody out with a bit hit. The sooner the better for fans who like the game with an edge.

From the stat pack:

The sample size isn’t large so it’s hard to predict the future for Senator goalie Brian Elliott. The 24-year- old has a terrific puck-stopping background. He won 51 of 84 games and an NCAA championship at the University of Wisconsin and since he took over in goal for Ottawa on Jan, 18, his numbers have been impeccable.

Since Jan. 18:

Record:: 12-3
GAVG:: 2.17
Save pctg:: .927

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