Game 51 @ Pittsburgh

[Josh]

Go Sens Go!!!

This is an important game with the Penguins currently holding the final wild card spot. Boston, Montreal, and New Jersey (and to a lesser extent Philadelphia) losing in regulation would also help.

[Josh]

I'll try to post a live stream when one becomes available..

[Josh]

Live YouTube stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XB8y0uvgAQ

[Josh]

Penguins score to make it 2-0 on a clear interference.. Sens challenging..

[Josh]

HOLY FUCKING BULLSHIT

[Matt the Aussie]

That game was just brutal from start to finish. How do you count that goal against when Hornqvist is HOOKING Anderson? Not only no goal but should have been a penalty.

Again, left it too late to get the tying goal. I was losing my mind when Hoffman hit the exact same part of the crossbar twice in about a minute. Of course, if you shoot more than, say, 20 times on net you may score more. Even more than the (frankly absurd) 5 goals we already had.

Also important to note - Ottawa's net is open for business. If I'm Anderson I am losing my will to live on some of the ridiculous plays of the defense. He gets zero reward for making the first save because no one helps with rebounds, no one gets physical with the attackers, no one holds the posts, no one DOES ANYTHING to prevent any second chances. He's not superhuman people!

[Josh]

That game was just brutal from start to finish. How do you count that goal against when Hornqvist is HOOKING Anderson? Not only no goal but should have been a penalty.

Again, left it too late to get the tying goal. I was losing my mind when Hoffman hit the exact same part of the crossbar twice in about a minute. Of course, if you shoot more than, say, 20 times on net you may score more. Even more than the (frankly absurd) 5 goals we already had.

Also important to note - Ottawa's net is open for business. If I'm Anderson I am losing my will to live on some of the ridiculous plays of the defense. He gets zero reward for making the first save because no one helps with rebounds, no one gets physical with the attackers, no one holds the posts, no one DOES ANYTHING to prevent any second chances. He's not superhuman people!

Yeah, I completely agree. I honestly don't know how Andy isn't demanding a trade right now. It's ridiculous, literally worthy. of. ridicule. Our "defense" is shameful.

---

WE REALLY NEED A PROPER PARTNER FOR KARLSSON.

We all know Methot's been the best partner he's ever had so far in the NHL. That doesn't mean there isn't a better partner for him out there. And I'd argue that Methot would be even more effective alongside Ceci.

Finding the PERFECT player to play with Karlsson should really be the team's top priority, despite any other holes we seem to have. The problem with looking for a better LD2 is that Methot really isn't a LD1. If Karlsson has an LD1 that really compliments him and Methot gets to be a top-five LD2 and Ceci gets a better LD2 to play with and... OK, I guess I've said it enough ways.

GO GET A FUCKING TOP-FLIGHT LEFT-SHOOTING MAXIMUM-AWESOME DEFENSEMAN.

[Matt the Aussie]

Josh, got any metrics on what MAXIMUM-AWESOME looks like? How much is that gonna set Melnyk back?

[thedaigle1]

Josh, got any metrics on what MAXIMUM-AWESOME looks like? How much is that gonna set Melnyk back?

It will cost exactly one Mike Hoffman.

[Matt the Aussie]

It will cost exactly one Mike Hoffman.

How many Jared Cowen's to one Mike Hoffman? Like 50 or so?

[thedaigle1]

How many Jared Cowen's to one Mike Hoffman? Like 50 or so?

I forget how to make ratios with a negative integer. Is it mathematically possible? I think Jared Cowen just broke math.

[Alfie11]

The concerning thing is that management is looking for a top six forward, and not a top four defenseman (or two). We're 8th in the league in goals with MacArthur out all season, Michalek out all season, Turris injured for a while and Stone playing pretty meh. I guess an All-Star #1C would be cool, but we won't be finding that.

I think the team definitely need a bit of an overhaul. We have some really good pieces. But just the mindset of the team, organization and fans...I don't like it. We've made the playoffs three times in the past five years. Despite not doing much in 2/3 of those playoffs, the mindset was "well, we shouldn't have even been there!" Don't get me wrong, that 2015 miracle run was amazing to watch, but it should not have had to be a miracle run to make it in the first place. The team is way too inconsistent to compete. We have some really good players, we should be racking up the wins against Buffalo and Montreal and then sneaking away some tough games.

We have a generational talent back on defense. Karlsson is putting up over a point per game in an era where it's very difficult to do so. One could argue he's the second biggest threat ever from the blue line, aside from Bobby Orr. I don't see why we're not getting him some help back there. Based on roles, in my opinion, the defense should look like:

XXX - Karlsson
Methot - XXX
XXX - Ceci
Wiercioch

You need to find a complimentary player for Karlsson. Methot doesn't look out of place, but you could do better. He's also injury prone and you'd like someone a little more reliable to play with Karlsson for 82 games. You don't want Borowiecki or Cowen up there ever again. On the second pairing, you find a reliable puck mover or two-way dman. Someone who can put up points. You have Karlsson, who has 53 points. Then Ceci, who has 15 points. The next highest is 6 points. Someone who you can count on to put up points and play a good defensive game is needed. On the third pair, I have Ceci. I don't think he's a top four defenseman yet. I'd love to put a veteran dman beside him, someone who can clear the crease, block shots and play the PK. But in todays NHL, you need to be able to skate. Wiercioch has some potential and he's alright, I don't mind him. But I think Boro and Cowen definitely need to go ASAP.

[thedaigle1]

I'd continue to give Wideman and Claesson an opportunity. And don't forget, one day: Chabot :party:

[Alfie11]

Chabot could be a potential partner for Karlsson one day. But I'd like to see Ceci on the third pairing right now, and I'm not sure how well a Wideman/Claeson - Ceci pairing would go

[Josh]

The concerning thing is that management is looking for a top six forward, and not a top four defenseman (or two). We're 8th in the league in goals with MacArthur out all season, Michalek out all season, Turris injured for a while and Stone playing pretty meh. I guess an All-Star #1C would be cool, but we won't be finding that.

I think the team definitely need a bit of an overhaul. We have some really good pieces. But just the mindset of the team, organization and fans...I don't like it. We've made the playoffs three times in the past five years. Despite not doing much in 2/3 of those playoffs, the mindset was "well, we shouldn't have even been there!" Don't get me wrong, that 2015 miracle run was amazing to watch, but it should not have had to be a miracle run to make it in the first place. The team is way too inconsistent to compete. We have some really good players, we should be racking up the wins against Buffalo and Montreal and then sneaking away some tough games.

We have a generational talent back on defense. Karlsson is putting up over a point per game in an era where it's very difficult to do so. One could argue he's the second biggest threat ever from the blue line, aside from Bobby Orr. I don't see why we're not getting him some help back there. Based on roles, in my opinion, the defense should look like:

XXX - Karlsson
Methot - XXX
XXX - Ceci
Wiercioch

You need to find a complimentary player for Karlsson. Methot doesn't look out of place, but you could do better. He's also injury prone and you'd like someone a little more reliable to play with Karlsson for 82 games. You don't want Borowiecki or Cowen up there ever again. On the second pairing, you find a reliable puck mover or two-way dman. Someone who can put up points. You have Karlsson, who has 53 points. Then Ceci, who has 15 points. The next highest is 6 points. Someone who you can count on to put up points and play a good defensive game is needed. On the third pair, I have Ceci. I don't think he's a top four defenseman yet. I'd love to put a veteran dman beside him, someone who can clear the crease, block shots and play the PK. But in todays NHL, you need to be able to skate. Wiercioch has some potential and he's alright, I don't mind him. But I think Boro and Cowen definitely need to go ASAP.

You hit the nail on the head with this post, several times. Karlsson's potential is being wasted without a proper partner. Giving him someone who really compliments him would make the whole team better. Even if that's the only hole they fill, Methot and Ceci would still make a fine pair for now.

I love Hoffman.. but if he isn't happy here, trade him now and get a partner for Karlsson.