Posted by Gord Wilson on March 29, 2008

Greetings everyone from Boston, where the Senators take on the Bruins this afternoon in a rare Saturday afternoon affair. Seventh game of the season between these two clubs, with the Senators holding a 4-2 series edge. Ottawa won the first three games of the series before the Bruins took the next two, then Ottawa won the last game convincingly by a  4-1 score.

Senators are  coming off a disappointing 4-3 shootout loss to the Sabres on Thursday. Today's game will be the Senators' fifth, in the last seven days.  They'll welcome a day off tomorrow before closing out their week and regular season against the Canadiens, Leafs and then Bruins next Friday.

Thursday's loss to the Sabres left winger Cory Stillman with an injured leg and he won't play today. His  spot on the roster will be filled by Jesse Winchester, who makes his NHL debut today. Winchester is from Long Sault but  played his junior hockey in Winchester and Cornwall. He's spent the last four years at  Colgate University captaining the Red Raiders the past two seasons. Based on what I saw at practice yesterday,  it looks like Winchester will get to start the game with Mike Fisher and Antoine Vermette.  Both of those players are coming off a productive game against the Sabres... Fisher with 2 goals, Vermette with a pair of assists.

Looks like Wade Redden might  be good to go this afternoon. He's missed the last  two games with a bruised  left  knee. If  he's in, it's likely Luke Richardson  comes out.

Martin Gerber gets the call in goal...  his 52nd start and 14th straight... he's out to earn his 100th career win. He's 4-2 this year against  Boston.

The Bruins are coming off a 4-2 win over the Leafs on Thursday.  Ex-Senator Peter Schaefer scored once, and set up another in that game.  B's fighting for their playoff lives and need a win to stay in the thick of things.  To date, they've  lost 331 man-games to injury... one of the highest totals in the league...  Today, they're without Marc Savard (back), Chuck Kobasew (leg) and Patrice Bergeron (concussion), just to name three.

Tim Thomas is expected to start in goal...  he's 2-1-1 this year against Ottawa with a 1.23 goals-against average and a .963 save percentage.

Senator lines may shake down like this...  15-19-11, 20-12-18, 10-37-25, 5-58-28. Defence pairings may look like this...  4-55, 14-44, 6 and 24.

No local television  coverage of this one, so you'll have to take my word for it. Literally. Unless you have the Centre Ice package and if so, the game is on NESN. Yours truly and Dean Brown with the call, it's a 1 p.m. faceoff time.

enjoy the game everyone,

cheers,  Gord

Posted by Gord Wilson on March 27, 2008

Greetings all from Scotiabank Place, where the Senators play host to the Sabres tonight for the eighth and final time this season. This is also the back end of a home-and-home series that saw Ottawa open with a 6-3 win in Buffalo on Tuesday. Senators lead this series 5-2 and can do some serious damage to the Sabres playoff hopes with a win tonight. In fact, if the Senators win and the Washington Capitals  lose in Tampa tonight, then the Senators can clinch a playoff spot.

Coach Bryan Murray isn't expected to make any changes to his lineup tonight... meaning we'll see the same line combinations and defence pairings as we did on Tuesday.

They looked like this...  15-19-11,  20-12-61, 10-37-28... 5-27-25. On D...4-55, 14-44...2-24.

Martin Gerber gets the call in goal... his 13th consecutive start. He made 29 saves for his 29th win of the year in Buffalo and also his 99th career victory.

The Sabres will start Ryan Miller tonight... and this will be his 72nd appearance and 30th consecutive start. Miller is a real student of the game and hinted this morning that he'll be part of the NHL's  competition committee in the off=season.

And finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't offer a thought on the play of Brian Lee. His debut in Buffalo was  outstanding. Poised is the word most often used in describing his performance... a solid 18 minutes, where we saw  him stand tall on the blue line...  had good containment in his own zone and wasn't afraid to join the rush when given the chance. Oh, and he also made a great right skate save early in the second period when the puck got in behind Gerber and was headed to the open goal.

Tonight's game is on A-Channel, with yours truly and Dean Brown. Dave Schreiber and Shaun Van Allen have the call on the Team 1200 radio network.

enjoy the game.

cheers,  gord

Posted by Gord Wilson on March 25, 2008

Greetings, everyone, from Buffalo, site of the Senators' game tonight against the Sabres. Fourth game in the last six days for Ottawa, as the busy push for a playoff spot continues for both clubs. Senators, of course, coming off a very disappointing 7-5 loss to the Canadiens last night, a game that left a lot of people scratching their heads about what's happening to this hockey team. Don't let the score fool you, the Senators weren't much into this one, at least through the first two periods. Scoring four in the third was easy for Ottawa, not so much because of the way the Senators played, but because of how Montreal eased up. That being said, you could see some looks of concern on the Montreal bench about midway through the third, when the Senators went on a 5-on-3 and down by 3.

Same old story for the Senators last night... major defensive miscues that led to goals, early and often. And while this team has became far too difficult to predict, I guarantee there will be changes to the lineup tonight. After watching  Wade Redden hobble to the plane last night, my guess is he won't be playing tonight. Rookie Brian Lee has been called up from Binghamton and will play. After speaking with Dean McAmmond yesterday in Montreal, I'll  guess he'll be back in the lineup tonight as well. And I'll bet  the changes won't stop there. Both Cody Bass and Brian McGrattan are at the ready, and either one, or both, could see some playing time.

Martin Gerber gets the call in goal. It'll be his 12th straight start. Ryan Miller starts for the Sabres... his  29th consecutive.

This is game seven of the eight-game season long series between Ottawa and Buffalo. Senators lead the series 4-2, and the final game is set for Thursday back in Ottawa.

Tonight, we should get treated to some good ol' fashioned desperate hockey. Two teams fighting for a playoff spot. That's right, two teams. With only six games left in the regular season, nothing is for certain yet for this Senators team. I think they need to win three of their final six to make the post-season. And that will be just barely making it.

And who would have predicted that a few months ago?

7 o'clock start tonight on Rogers Sportsnet, with Dean and Garry, and of course, you can catch all the action on the Team 1200 radio network with yours truly and Dave Schreiber.

enjoy the game everyone,

cheers, gord

Posted by Gord Wilson on March 24, 2008

Greetings, everyone, from Montreal and Happy Easter to you. Senators here for the first of a two-game road trip. First  game is against the Canadiens and then  off to Buffalo to face the Sabres tomorrow night.

After the 5-4 loss to the Leafs on Saturday, veteran winger Cory Stillman told me on our Senators All Access feature that tonight would be a must-win situation. With all due respect to the Leafs, the Senators did a lot to beat themselves on Saturday. In fact, that's been the story of this team over the  last few weeks. When they play their game and that game is consistent, the Senators are a tough team to beat.  When they're off... and they  turn the puck over like  they did against the  Leafs... the puck  usually ends up in the net and eventually costs the team. In  other words, this  team  must  stop  shooting itself in the foot... or feet.

So Ottawa will be out to play as error-free as possible tonight, but they also need production from their  big guns. Alfredsson, Heatley and Spezza must be better.  And Mike Fisher needs to produce. He clearly needs to loosen up a bit and stop trying to put the puck through the end boards. All that being said,  what a physical game he played Saturday night. He should benefit from having Chris Neil on his right  side on a more consistent basis.

This is Game 7 of the eight-game season-long series between the Senators and Canadiens. Senators lead the series 5-1, including a very convincing 3-0 win the last time they were here March 24.

Both teams will be missing some key  players from their lineups tonight. Habs without defenceman Mike Komisarek, who'll miss the rest of the regular season with a lower body injury. And Ottawa will be without forward Chris Kelly, who suffered a slight bonefracture in his left leg after blocking a shot in the  first period of Saturday's game.Randy Robitaille will draw back into the lineup for Kelly.

And I can tell you that Dean McAmmond won't play tonight either. He suffered a right thigh contusion during the Leaf game. His spot on the roster will be filled by Brian McGratton.

Martin Gerber gets the call in goal again tonight... a career-high 11th straight start. Carey Price expected to get the call for the Canadiens. Line combinations for the Senators tonight look like this... 15-19-11,,,61-12-25,,,27-20-28,,,5-10-16.

Tonight's game is a 7:30 start and can be seen on A-Channel with yours truly and Dean Brown and, of course, Dave Schreiber and Shaun Van Allen have the call on the Team 1200 Radio Network.

enjoy the game everyone,

cheers, gord

Posted by Gord Wilson on March 22, 2008

Greetings  everyone from   ScotiaBank Place, on  this  game  day for the Senators.  They  host  the Leafs tonight, in  game  7 of the  8 game  season  long series.  A series  that is  tied at   3 wins each.  Ottawa  took the first three games,  and for the  first time since   the Senators  first  year in the NHL, the Leafs  have  won   3  straight  against  Ottawa. 

I ask  about  revenge  on the minds of the  Senators, because the last  time  these  two  clubs  met in the  Nation's Capital,  on February 25th, the  Leafs scored a  5-nothing  win.  In fact, of the  three  wins  Toronto has against the Senators...  2 have been by way of  the  shutout.  Vesa  Toskala has  been the  goaltender of record in  5 of the 6 games these two clubs have met,,, he's  3 and 2  this year against  Ottawa, and  he's  expected to get the  call again  tonight.  If  he does, it will be his  27th consecutive start.  Toskala  and the Leafs are coming off an impressive  4-1 win over the Sabres in Buffalo  last night. Toronto has now won  5 straight  road  games.  However, this will be  their  fourth straight  game  they'll play  without   Mats Sundin. He's still  bothered by a  groin  injury.

As  for  the Senators,  well,  coming  off a  much needed 3-2  win over the Blues on Thursday.  Tonight's game is the  first of  8 straight   against  teams  from the  North East  Division.  Senators are  16  and 8 this year  against teams from their own division.

Chris  Neil returns  to the  Ottawaa lineup  tonight.  He's  missed the last  12 games with a knee injury. Neil  is expected to play on a line with   Fisher, and  Stillman.  That  means  Daniel Alfredsson  gets re-united with  Jason Spezza and  Dany Heatley.

Lines  3 and 4  remain  unchanged.  Vermette, Kelly and  Lapointe, and  Schubert with McAmmond, and Donovan.   It looks like  Randy Robitaille is the odd man out tonight.

No changes to the  defence pairings...and  Martin  Gerber starts in goal, for te  10th consecutive game.

Face off time is 7 o'clock,  this one can be heard all along the  Team 1200 radio network,with yours truly, and  Dean Brown.

enjoy everyone.

cheers, gord

Posted by Gord Wilson on March 20, 2008

Greetings all from inside Scotiabank Place where tonight, the Senators play host to the St. Louis Blues. It's the first and only meeting of the year between the two teams, in fact, the first visit by the Blues in  four years. Senators are coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday,  disappointing for a couple of reasons: 1, the way the team competed or, should I say, lacked  competition, and 2, disappointing because of how the team played in its previous game, a 3-0 win over  Montreal.

Senators took way too many penalties against the Canes and never really got a flow going to their game.

As far as tonight is concerned, coach Bryan Murray won't make any changes to a lineup that's won three of its last four games. Martin Gerber gets the call in goal, his ninth consecutive start, as he goes after his 28th win of the season.

The Blues are playing Game 8 of a nine-game, 18-day road trip. Some players who started this trip  clean shaven now have full beards. But not playoff beards. The Blues won't make the playoffs this season, having fallen off during the second half of the year. Offensively, the Blues are led by Paul Kariya, who  leads the team with 57 points. Brad Boyes leads the team in goals with 38.

No Jay McKee tonight for the Blues. He's out with a sore foot. And Hannu Toivonen will get the call in goal. He's 5-8-3 on the year and hasn't won a game since Dec. 7.

After losing the first six games of this road trip, the Blues scored a much needed 4-3 shootout win over the Canadiens on Tuesday. The ninth and final game of this trip is in Chicago on the 23rd.

And one final note, if  you're a regular to this blog and the "game day" site, I can tell you coming up in the playoffs, Bell has sponsored a  photo-blog site that will be found in our "behind the scenes" category.  I've  been armed  with a new LG Shine™ camera phone and will be able to pass along some great photos  of players, coaches and other NHL types you might have an interest in (I'll  throw a few pictures up in the next week or so, just to get familiar with the phone. I hope you enjoy them).

Enjoy tonight's game!

cheers, gord

Posted by Gord Wilson on March 16, 2008

Greetings  everyone, from   Raleigh, North Carolina, where the  Senators  are to wrap up a  season long series with the  Hurricanes.  Its the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between the two clubs... Senators  leading the series   2 wins to  1.  Senators  have  beaten  Carolina  by scores of  5-1 and 6-nothing... they lost  5-3, back on the  11th of  October.

The   6-nothing  win came on December  12th... that was a game  that  saw  Ray Emery start in goal,  but   he pulled himself  after  just  5 minutes. The  Senators were leading   2 nothing  at the time,,, so Martin Gerber came in  and played  well, but  didn't  get the  decision.

This  is the  first  meeting between the two teams  since  they  made a  four player  trade  February  13th.  Of  course, the Senators  got  Corey Stillman and Mike Commodore, while the  Canes  got  Joe  Corvo, and Patrick  Eaves.

Senators  come into this  one  on a  nice little roll. Their  3 nothing  win over the  Canadiens on  Thursday extended their winning streak to  3 games... the first  3 gamer the team has been on  since  early  January.

Carolina  returns  home  following an  ugly  7-1 loss  in  Buffalo on  Friday.  The  loss  ended  a   5 game winning streak for  the Hurricanes.  They've been one of the  hottest  teams in the league of late,  having  won   8 of their last  10 games.  Today  the  Hurricanes  have a  5 point lead over the Capitals and Panthers in the tight Southeast division.

Senators  in  the  meantime,   are coming off an impressive  3 nothing  win over the  Habs on  Thursday,  in what  can only be described as a very complete game for Ottawa. Outstanding  goaltending from  Martin Gerber,  sound  defensive zone coverage, and  timely  goal scoring, including   2 more  powerplay goals.  Senators powerplay has been  red hot of late,  operating at  a  near   50 percent  rate over  the last  3 games, going   6 for 11. And  give  credit to the penalty killers... they've  killed  off  16 straight  powerplays  against.

No  changes are expected  for the  Senators today. And  watch for the  same  line combinations...   15-19-27,,,61-12-11,,,20-22-28,, 5-37-10.

I think for the first time in  the  radio station's history of  awarding  the  "fourth star" honour to the game's hardest worker,  Dave Schreiber and I  gave our fourth star honour from  Thursday's game   to the  entire  fourth  line.   Schubert, McAmmond, and Donovan  were  outstanding  against the Habs, and it allowed  coach Murray to roll four lines on a consistent  basis.

And  how  would you like to  be  Corey Stillman today. Not only will he  be  jacked to play  some  old  teammates, but for the first time in a month, he's had a chance to visit with his  wife  and  kids. He hasn't seen them in a month.

All right, don't forget this is an  afternoon game today.. a  3 o'clock start from the  RBC Centre  in  Raleigh. And this one's  on  A channel, with yours truly, and Dean Brown. Dave Schreiber and  Shawn Van Allen have the  radio call, all along the  Team 1200 radio network.

enjoy !

cheers, gord

Posted by Gord Wilson on March 13, 2008

Greetings, everyone, from the Bell Centre in Montreal, where tonight the Senators take on the Canadiens in what is being  billed as a playoff-type game that will definitely have a playoff feel to it. Just  two points separate the two teams in the standings, Montreal with 87  points and  Ottawa with  85. A win tonight for Ottawa  would  put the  Senators back into first in the Northeast Division, by virtue of their head-to-head matchup with the Canadiens this season. Senators are 4-1 so far against Montreal, the last  game was a  6-1 win on Feb. 9. Remember that game? Spezza with 3 and 3,  Alfredsson with 2 and 3 and Heatley with 1 and 3. Ottawa's big line was dominant that night but may not get the chance to be tonight.  Alfredsson may miss his his fifth straight game with a lower back issue. He is on the trip, however, and did l skate this morning. After a good hour on-ice workout, that included some hitting from Nick Foligno, Alfredsson said he felt fine, and would make a decision on his playing status at game time. He was to receive treatment this afternoon, then decide how he felt once he got to the rink. I have to say he looked pretty jacked about being on the ice in full equipment.

Senators are coming off a 4-1 win over the Bruins on Tuesday, and I can only describe that game as one that saw the Senators come very close to looking like the team that started the season so strong.

Passing was as crisp as I've seen in quite some time, and the puck support was tremendous. Bryan Murray's basic, repetitive practices are paying off.

Martin Gerber will make his seventh straight start tonight. And for good reason. He's been outstanding of late. He's 3-2 this season against the Habs.

As of this morning, line combinations look like this for Ottawa... 15-19-27, 61-12-37, 20-22-28, 5-71-10.   

Keep in mind, Christoph Schubert  practised as a defenceman yesterday because Luke Richardson was  off skates. He's blocked a few shots lately and one foot  was particularly sore. If Luke can't play tonight,  Schubert will likely stay on defence and Brian McGrattan would draw in.

As for the Habs, well, they're playing very well: 6-4 in their last 10 and coming off an impressive 4-0 win over the Devils on Tuesday. Carey Price with his second shutout of the year in that one, and he's now 5-2 in his last seven starts. Price is 0-1 lifetime against Ottawa.

Montreal's big line of Plekanec, Kostitsyn and Kovalev were red hot against Ottawa the last time these  two teams met in Montreal. Canadiens won that one 4-3.

I have to be honest  here, folks. There's no better building to be in for a game of this magnitude. The atmosphere is electric, even a few hours before game time. Turn your radios up loud for this one.

Yours truly and Dave Schreiber with the call all along the Team 1200 radio network, and Dean, Garry and Ian Mendes have the call on Rogers Sportsnet.

enjoy.

cheers, gord

Posted by Gord Wilson on March 8, 2008

Greetings, everyone, from the desert here in Phoenix, Arizona, for game four of the Senators' four-game road trip. Senators looking to play a more desperate brand of hockey and salvage at least one win on this  western swing. Following Thursday's 2-0 loss to the Kings, the Senators held an interesting practice yesterday. Bryan Murray stayed on the ice in the first half of it to run the drills, then left during the second half, while the players had some fun playing baseball, among other things. The way they played, it is hard to explain, but needless to say everyone enjoyed the spirited competition.

As far as this game tonight is concerned, Senators realize they're in tough here to maintain a playoff spot. They're taking on a very competitive and desperate Coyotes team that sits just five points out of a playoff spot. Coyotes have done something different today with their game-day routine.

They have the worst home-ice record in the NHL, so coach Gretzky has had the players stay at a hotel near the rink for the day. We'll see if it pays off. Ilya Bryzgalov will start in goal. He's been outstanding  of late, giving up just six goals in his last five starts.

Dean McAmmond returns to the lineup tonight and watch for him to centre Schubert and Donovan. Martin Lapointe will get a chance to play right wing with Spezza and Heatley.

Daniel Alfredsson remains day-to-day with a lower back injury.

This  game  starts at 5 here in Phoenix  today, a   7 o'clock start on CBC and, of course, you can catch all the action on the Team 1200 radio network, with yours truly and Dean Brown. Steve Lloyd to host the pre-game show, beginning at 5 eastern.

enjoy the game everyone,

cheers, gord

Posted by Gord Wilson on March 6, 2008

Greetings, everyone, from L.A., where the Senators are to take on the Kings tonight. Ottawa chartered here right after last night's overtime loss to the Sharks.

For the second straight game, the Senators won't have Daniel Alfredsson tonight. He'll miss his second straight game with a lower back injury. Bryan Murray did say if it was a playoff game, then Alfredsson would play, so his injury can't be considered too serious. It's hoped he'll be back in the lineup Saturday against Phoenix.

I'm afraid I can't offer any line combinations today. Brian McGrattan is expected to play tonight, but who sits will be determined at game time.

One thing is for certain... Martin Gerber, who's probably been Ottawa's best player so far on this trip, will make his fourth straight start.

Kings  are  coming off a recent four-game road trip that saw them lose all four. They've lost five straight altogether and seven of their last eight. They'll go with a rookie in goal. Erik Ersberg was the goalie of the year in the Swedish Elite League last year, and is the sixth netminder to be used by Los Angeles this season.

10:30 start in the East, so again, thanks for taking Dean and me to bed with you.

Enjoy the game everyone, 

cheers, gord