The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

You couldn't help but shake your head at last night's abysmal performance against the hated Toronto Maple Leafs. Since the start of April, you could have given the Sens an excuse for managing to string together only three wins from their last 12: injuries. No Chara, Redden or Phillips. We even had to put in our third string goalie for a couple of games while Emery rested his sore hip.

But with the complete apathetic performance last night, I can only hope they are playing possum. Here's the Senators' chance to do the next best thing from beating them in a playoff series: be the team responsible for ensuring they have no chance of advancing to the post-season. Not to mention the fact they are still battling for the #1 spot in the Eastern Conference. So really, how much more motivation do you need?

I was also wondering what coach Bryan Murray was thinking when he was assembling his roster. Why did he scratch Brian McGrattan? This is the guy they signed for the specific reason of playing against teams like the Leafs. Look, it's not like the 3rd and 4th liners have been playing poorly or anything, BUT YOU HAVE TO ADJUST TO YOUR OPPONENT. Chris Neil looked completely out of his element trying not once but twice to scrap with Tie Domi. In actual fact, when he first tried to scrap with Domi and he refused, Neil wound up with an unsportsmanlike penalty and the Leafs scored on the ensuing powerplay which was the goal that buried the Sens chances of a comeback. The Leafs struggle at even strength but CAN score with the man advantage, as 3 of their 5 goals were scored that way. And you might have noticed Darcy Tucker decided to take a few liberties with our team captain by pelting Alfredsson with a few punches towards the end of the third. Everyone knows by views on fighting in the NHL, but if it's status quo you MUST dress guys like McGrattan when facing a team with Tucker, Domi and Wade Belak.

And why did Murray think it was a good idea to break up the Schaefer-Fisher-Neil line? Yes, Havlat is back, but don't break up what works. Havlat should have played with Smolinski and Eaves to keep the other WORKING three lines intact. BTW, did you notice that Havlat didn't get any powerplay time until the third period? And did you also notice the tried and true strategy of having Chara in front of the new during the powerplay wasn't even tried all game? Truly mind-boggling stuff to say the least, and I can only hope they are trying to get all the losing out of their system before playoffs start.