From the Pressbox

The article and comments are correct in the messed up team starting w/ the coach/GM down. I disagree w/ wantedwolfhart from TO who bravely dissed a team that wanted so badly to be in the playoffs they chose the next best thing to injure the captain of a team that was going into the postseason.

Can anyone tell me why Gerber has yet to paint a logo/design on his mask? Is he waiting to be traded?!?

Boy did the man w/ the ill-fitting dentures teach R. Emery a lesson by not playing the malcontent and then promptly get swept in the 1st round!

The article and comments are correct in the messed up team starting w/ the coach/GM down. I disagree w/ wantedwolfhart from TO who bravely dissed a team that wanted so badly to be in the playoffs they chose the next best thing to injure the captain of a team that was going into the postseason.

Can anyone tell me why Gerber has yet to paint a logo/design on his mask? Is he waiting to be traded?!?

Boy did the man w/ the ill-fitting dentures teach R. Emery a lesson by not playing the malcontent and then promptly get swept!

have you noticed how many times Ottawa goalie Gerber pokes the puck away from his crease with his stick instead of smothering and stopping the play. Wonder what his coaches think of this; also wonder how many assists he has over his NHL career.

At least the leafs showed heart down the strech /ottawa big bunch of losers

How are the Senators going to win with the Refs against them. this is the biggest Farce I have ever seen.. I am wonderinghow many teams the Piggsburgh Penguins, are going to put out with the refs calling nothing.

This is a very disfunctional team and the article by elliot is true to every word. The problem starts with the GM/Head Coach and works it way down to the players playibg as individuals and not as a team. I am watching the series against the pens and cannot believe the excuses that are coming out of the coaches mouth and I have to question the heart of alfredsson and speeza. Look at crosby last year playing with a broken foot. This team needs to get gutted and add some heart and soul to the team. On paper as well as the first few games of the season it proves the team has potential but is simply not living up to it and the fans are paying the price.

Ben

Will it take Alfie crippling back onto the ice to motivate the rest of the team? I can't belive how lackluster Heatley has been in the playoffs - heck for the past 2 months. Don't you have another gear, Danny?

I think Fisher's loss is perhaps the most damaging - he seemed to be the most gutsy player lately. In the meantime, I was hoping Vermette might fill the void, but he hasn't been too hot recently either.

If they can't all step it up tonight, then it is pretty sad, and we can all expect some major housecleaning next year...

this points the finger the wrong way...it is Mr. Murray's responsibility to motivate this bunch. He hasn't done that. Other coaches have. Case closed. Whoever coaches next year must find a way to get the Sens playing with more commitment than the opposition, not just enough to sorta get by.

This isn't about the sens, but about the NHL. I needed some place to say it because I am so frustrated with the cheap hockey we're getting. I have watched a total of 5 games this season which is the fewest in my last 20 years, I used to watch 100+ most seasons. The penalties are getting way out of hand, Americans may find powerplays exciting, but they are truly the most boring thing in hockey. Sure crack down on what is supposed to be called, but half of what they call hooking and holding aren't. One more change towards complete idiocy and I won't even watch 5 games next season, I will stop altogether. If they add shootouts to playoff games, if they ban fighting, or if the stupid penalties get worse, I am done with the NHL for good. Thanks NHL for ruining the best sport; for replacing hockey, which was in 1993 Sports Illustrated's Sport of the Future in the USA, with ballet on ice.

I couldn't agree more with the comments. I was proud to cheer for the Sens last year on the Sens mile here in Ottawa (even though I am a Habs fan to the bone). This year the season started out amazingly for the Sens again and then things started to slip. For a while they were lucky that they held on to #1 in the East but then their luck ran out.

I agree with the comment that they did not deserve to make it into the playoffs this year, amazingly enough they clinched a spot in the playoffs in true Sens 2008 fashion...with a loss to Boston.

Ottawa will play their last game on April 16, 2008 and hopefully they will sit down and figure out what went wrong as they watch Montreal bring the cup back to Canada for the first time since they won in 1993.

Go Habs Go

This is a comment regarding the Sean Avery screening. I don't think he was trying to get Brodeur to take a penalty he was simply trying to throw him off his game and create a distraction. One easy way to get rid of this is not to allow the screening of a goalie while facing the goalie. It was a normal screen put up by a player, but leave it to Avery to pull something as classy as that. During the regular season someone would have done something about it, but being the playoffs the players withheld. It does not belong in the game at all as does Avery..

Ottawa is as lifeless as a wet noodle. The team clearly has no desire to win. The first game was played as though the Sens were a man short the whole time. Gerber has been the only reason they even looked halfway decent, but with 50 shots on him a night you have to expect at least a few goals. If Ottawa wins even one of the games I'd be surprised, even then they wouldn't deserve the win with their lackluster performances of late.

re: rodeo skunk's comment.
"The Senators have several overrated players the most obvious is Redden and Spezza is quickly joining that category". I agree. At the time of the choosing between retaining Redden or Chara, I must admit, I felt Redden was the way to go. However, it appears I was wrong as well. As for Spezza, just key on him during his shift and it won't take you long to notice how often he bails out rather than take a hit. For a player with a reputation as a pinpoint passer, it astonishes me how often he will throw the puck either to nowhere, or even onto an opponent's stick when there is an incoming checker in the vicinity. As for attacking an opposing puck-carrier, don't make me laugh!

Excellent comments by all, and Cwithy is absolutely correct in comparing two underperforming teams, Ottawa and Vancouver.
I am a long-suffering Vancouver fan, and while I can see that Ottawa has more talented players, neither team has showing heart nor grit this year, no matter what "spin" their management teams state about having good years and being "close" to success.
Vancouver losing 7 of it's last eight games in the regular season is inexcusable - in many games, the effort wasn't there. Even 2 and 3 golal leads could not be protected.

I have watched Ottawa play well in several playoffs, but not this year - the passion is just not there. I don't know what would solve the problems faced by these two teams, except by better on-ice leadership and commitment. The same could be said by their head offices.

It's nothing so maniacal, heartless, passionless or malicious. Alfredsson single-handedly kept things respectable, but without him they're just not a good enough team this year. Kudos to Gerber for holding the fort though.

BS. Saying the Sens had "no desire" to win is implying they wanted to lose. They're not executing well but don't deem to know what's going on in their hearts and heads. Everyone knows Mr. Friedman is a one of those Leafs fans who stops at nothing in slamming the Sens and will put them down in any way they can, and somehow justifies it as loyalty to their own team. "They wanted Toronto blood" - Sounds like a sore loser to me.

Very good article. Wholesale change is coming.

You need guys who hate - really, really hate - losing AND can do something about it. Exhibit #1: Gary Roberts...not suggesting a trade of Spezza for Roberts, but Spezza for attitude.

They are also much less of a team without their captain. It shows the benefit of having a strong # 2 (eh, Kovalev?)

"I must say a comment about Gerber. The Ottawa media is lauding his great play last night. I find it funny that Gerber always plays well in losing causes but rarely a factor in wins." Rodeo Skunk

It is easy to critisize Gerber about not winning, but no matter who the goaltender is, when you don't have a team scoring goals or standing tall on defense, wins will be scrace. Example, Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks, no offense, no defense, equals no wins!

You got to face the facts! Gerber got peppered with 53 SHOTS, and saved 49. I would say that a .925 save percentage is above average in the NHL! Rodoe Skunk, were you even watching the game last night? Gerber gave the Sens a great chance to win, and the players did not fallow suit.

I agree with Elliot! The Sens need a major shake up! The room is clearly divided, and we all know who the problem players are. By Murray getting behind the bench, it gave him a better look inside the room, and to clearly identify who the cancers really are. In the summer, he will clean out the cancers in the room and hire Pat Burns to run the coaching show. These playoffs are still not over, but the future look promising...

Don't give up faith!

Of course Neil will go dance with someone like Crosby. He's a coward that takes cheap shots at star players (remember Drury?) and as soon as the enforcers come out onto the ice he runs away. He reminds me of a modern day Claude Lemieux. The only difference is, Lemieux had some talent and skill. Neil doesn't.

As for the will to win, the only player in Ottawa that wants to win this series is Gerber. He's been standing on his head and he's getting absolutely no support from anyone else on the team.

Elliott, It is well put. Talent and capability alone will never win over desire, heart, sticking for each other and sacrifice. Senators story this year illustrates team sports MUST be played as a team. It is not figure skating sport. Bryan, who I respect, has to remove all cancerous cells from the dressing room, which will not cause any drop off of not going to next year playoff. Enough of this, the fans and some players have cuddled the underachievers and waited far more than enough for them to be righted.

Well I do agree with the comments. I will take you back to the run last year in the playoffs when the sneators were close but not really a factor in the end. The team was strong rolling over the eastern teams. I have to question why did Brian Murray undermind and backstab the BM John Muckler who ovbviously did a good job assembling the team. I heard rumors of his two for two trade for the goalies for Chicago bringing Lalime and Habi here for Emery and Gerber. This made no sense and it got out that the guy made this offer so that must heart the psyci of Gerber and Emery going into the playoffs that they were not wanted here any more. Murray did nothing to shake his team up at the deadline. Looking back he should of showcased Emery in a few games and dealt him for whatever he could get rather then let his former number 1 rot on the bench and get ripped by the ottawa media. Maybe they should of did a similar trade that the Canadians did with Huet. The remarks that Murray made after the deadline were unwarranted and very unproffesional saying there was no interest in his goalies. What a comfident booster Murray. After all that has gone on in the season and looking back maybe the problem wasnt Muckler but intead Brian Murray. In the end the penguins are going to go 4 and out.

Elliotte:
Why are you being so critical of the Senators? What rumours are you talking about? You haven't stated them for us plebian know-nothing readers...

I haven't seen anybody in the media asking the opinion of other coaches about the Leafs, Sabres, Hurricanes or Thrashers.

The Senators are struggling with confidence and consistency. It the same story since christmas. Throw in a goaltending distraction, and you've got a recipe for failure. No big surprise. It could happen to any good team or bad one for that matter.

So are you saying the Senators need to be blown up just because of the opinion of some coach who has nothing to do with the organization?

I think everyone would agree they have under-performed expectations this year, but I think you are really being really unfair making a story like this.

If they turn things around, everybody will be trumpeting the accolades, if they don't, we all know Bryan Murray will decide what to do. He will do what he thinks is right for the team.

Lay off the Senators. Its more relevant to focus on how they play and not on what may or may not be going on between the players based on some obscure coach with no connection to the organization.

Agreed, this was well-said. I've always thought Ottawa's had the talent, but do they have the heart? It doesn't appear so after watching them play lethargically over the second half of the season and in Game 1. Do they realize that they've got potentially only a week left in their season? Do they care? Sure they've got injured teammates, but they should be stepping it up, not just skating around like it was a practice game. When Crosby was injured, you had several Penguins step up, Malkin, & Malone in particular. Montreal doesn't have to be worried with their captain out, since they're getting scoring & hitting from 5 other guys. If Ottawa doesn't start thinking about the team, and get their butts in gear, they'll be golfing with the Leafs come next week.

The Ottawa players are comfy in their millions and can't wait to go on vacation. They should have not signed those guys so early in the year and had made them sweat for it.

The Senators have several overated players the most obvious is Redden and Spezza is quickly joining that category.

I must say a comment about Gerber. The Ottawa media is lauding his great play last night. I find it funny that Gerber always plays well in losing causes but rarely a factor in wins.

never said better... people need to be accountable for this... the phrase titanic on ice is true.. what gets me is the players should already know this.. if i was to get up every morning open the paper and see that i was being called a pushover and heartless let me tell you come game time that night there would be hell to pay... i am chris neil fan, or should say i was until i saw the way he has been the last few games.. no heart, no temper, no agression, and i disgree with mr cherry on alot of things but this isn't one of them, there was no need to waltz with crosby he should of shown him that this is war, playoff are dirty gritty hockey, seperated boys from men... i want to see these players held accountable for their actions and either step up and play like they can or pack up and go play somewhere else...i'm tired of hearing we just off our game or we are close or we just need to click.. dont' tell me what u can do.. just do it.. and if you can't you owe the city of ottawa and it's fans an explanation.. not a bunch of malarky.. i know i am not alone in the matter

I agree totally on your statement of no desire (except Volchenkov, who even with half his face bruised up is playing tonight). They need their 3 and 4th guys to pick it up. A question though. They call Heatley a pure goal scorer. If that is teh case then it doesn't really matter who gives him the puck. Also, they have to stop being so predictable. veryone knows when Spezza gets the puck, he goes to the corner and makes a cross ice pass to Heatley. Finally, some of the Sens need to grow a pair...maybe Volchenkov can spare some since he clearly has a HUGE set.

Ottawa is similar to Vancouver this year: both had good first halfs, but then a real lack of passion and commitment let them down coming in. Both should have missed the post-season as punishment for not caring enough.
The focus for both has got to turn to how they can win rather than how they are going to try not to lose - but this is something you don't have to teach the right group of players. Vancouver brass can contemplate this now, and Ottawa's in one week's time.
In the meantime, allez Montreal!