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INDEPTH: NHL 2006 | After the break
Ottawa Senators
By Maclolm Kelly, CBC Sports Online | Last updated Feb. 28, 2006
Dominik Hasek's injury at the Torino Olympics could dampen the Senators' Stanley Cup ambitions.
(Photo: Andre Ringuette/Getty Images)
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Record: 37-14-5 (79 points)
Second in the Eastern Conference
First in the Northeast Division
Home record: 22-6-1
Away record: 15-8-4
Goals for/against: 223-137
Power play: 20.2 per cent (fourth overall)
Penalty kill: 84.9 per cent (seventh overall)
Top scorers: Daniel Alfredsson (34g-39a-73p - fourth overall in NHL); Dany Heatley (34-37-71 - seventh overall); Jason Spezza (14-45-59 - 23rd overall)
Top defenders: Andrej Meszaros, defence (+34 - first overall in NHL); Wade Redden, defence (+31 - second overall); Dany Heatley, forward (+29 - fourth overall); Daniel Alfredsson, forward (+28 - fifth overall)
Key trades: Dany Heatley, forward, obtained from the Atlanta Thrashers for Marian Hossa, forward, and Greg de Vries, defence. (Aug. 23).
Season recap: The Senators blasted out of the starting gate in the first two months of the season, going 8-2 in October and 11-1 in November. That 19-3 opener left the club first overall in the NHL.
Since then, Ottawa has gone 18-11-5 and finished their final eight games before the break 3-4-1, which is cause for concern in the nation's capital, where playoff disappointments have become a way of life. During that stretch they were outscored 24-22, this from a team that over the season has outscored opponents 223-137.
Defensively, no club is better, with four of the top five plus-minus players on the roster, and goaltender Dominik Hasek second in the NHL in goals against behind Detroit's Manny Legace.
The acquisition of Dany Heatley from Atlanta created a devastating top line with Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza (82g-121a-203p).
Key injuries: Brian McGrattan (eye) and Chris Phillips (thumb) are both expected back after the break, while Martin Havlat (shoulder) is out indefinitely.
Looking ahead: The Senators have 12 home games and 14 away remaining, but they play 10 of the first 14 after the break on the road, including five in a row from March 4 to 12. That trip takes them through Toronto, Tampa, Florida, Atlanta and Washington.
Against other contenders for first overall in the conference, which brings home ice through to the final, Ottawa has none left with Carolina, two with the Rangers, one with Philadelphia and four with Buffalo, the only club that seems to have a chance to pass them in the Northeast Division.
Moment of fear: Hasek tumbles to the ice in the Czech's first game at the Olympics with a hamstring injury.
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