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

It just seems no matter what the Senators do, they can't win. If they lose, they stink, but if they win, there was a manner in the way the won that won't appease Sens fans.

I can't read other so-called Sens "fan" blogs because they criticize at the micro-level that just makes me roll my eyes in disgust. Take the Senators 6-3 win against Philadelphia last week. Daniel Alfredsson managed to pick up two goals and an assist after coming back from being down 2-1. But there was a part of the game that Alfie did not show any "leadership" because he was called offside when his linemates where trying to get into the offensive zone. Yes, this is the first time a star player wasn't fast enough to beat the offside call. Joe Sakic, Steve Yzerman, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Rocket Richard, Toe Blake, King Clancy...never called offside once in their career. I'm sure now since they only scored three goals in their last two games, Sens fans will complain they can't score like they used to, even though last season they complained they scored too many and couldn't win tight games.

Anyway, losing Spezza and Fisher is a big blow for the team. For any team in the NHL for that matter, if you lose your #1 and #2 centremen you're not as strong as you were. Yes, the clichés are written in the papers and spoken by management that this gives the chance for the third and fourth line guys to step up, but if I'm on the powerplay, I want Spezza setting up the plays, not Dean McAmmond.

The one good thing that may come out of these two injuries is that it will force Ottawa to focus on the defensive side of the game that has been sometimes brutal this year. Wade Redden is back, and everyone on the blue line is healthy; only three goals allowed in their last three games. A lof of it is due to Ray Emery's goaltending, yes, but they seem to be trying to be more responsible in their own end. If they can get the first goal like they have in their last few games, they can play a little more conservative and not worry so much about taking chances to get back in the game.

Tonight, Ottawa has injuries, but the Leafs are limping into the ACC as well. No Peca, no Wellwood and no Tucker amongst others. With only five points separating 6th and 14th place, Ottawa needs to continue to pick up points, especially as many teams around them have a few more games to play than the Senators.