Senators @ Flyers

[Alfie11]

Sens are down 2-1 going into the third. Tons of scoring chances for Ottawa but only Stone has scored

[Alfie11]

Turris!

[Josh]

So clutch by Turris..

[Josh]

Come on Sens, get this one in OT!!

[Alfie11]

Karlsson scores in the 5th round of the shootout and the Sens are 10-5-1

[Alfie11]

The Sens have only scored 13 goals in their last 9 games. In that time span they are 6-2-1.

I think the lack of scoring is a little concerning, but not even long-term. Boucher is still getting his system into place and has only just started getting around to the offensive side of the game. Of course some of the chances the Sens got, in this game in particular, should definitely be put into the back of the net (*cough* 2 on 0 *cough*). But I am confident the goals will come.

The defensive system is awesome. I'm extremely impressed with Boucher - no coach recently has given the Sens an actual structured defensive system. In this game there were a lot of turnovers and individual mistakes (some by the offence - Brassard). But in general, night and day compared to last season. We're 16 games into the season and approaching the quarter mark and the Sens are 2nd in the Atlantic and 5th in the league. I trust Boucher and I'm very confident the goals will come, and I think the Sens will be dangerous.

[Matt the Aussie]

Totally agree, the defensive side has been much harder for Ottawa to perfect in recent years and I'm actually pretty happy with this so far. Phaneuf still gives me fits every now and again, and Wideman gave up a couple of grade A's the other way tonight. For the most part though, the forwards are really buying into the system, both with backchecks and covering the point on pinches.

Craig Anderson is playing some of the best hockey of his life right now. I can't actually remember the last "bad" goal he gave up? Meanwhile Steve Mason at the other end on Turris? Yeesh.

The PK has been about 500 times better this year...but sorry, I'm gonna have to rant about the Powerplay again. Now dead last in the league. We had one in the 2nd where I don't even think we gained the zone properly the first 90 seconds? How is this so bad? Why do we insist on the exact same zone entry every time? The guy stationary on the blue line always gets swarmed as soon as the pass is made.

With the scoring talent on this team I am confident at least 5v5 scoring should return to somewhere near normal very soon. I thought it was very unfortunate that Philly scored on a turnover in the 1st, because Ottawa were flying (hehe) up to that point and the wind fell out of them once it went in.

[Alfie11]

Totally agree, the defensive side has been much harder for Ottawa to perfect in recent years and I'm actually pretty happy with this so far. Phaneuf still gives me fits every now and again, and Wideman gave up a couple of grade A's the other way tonight. For the most part though, the forwards are really buying into the system, both with backchecks and covering the point on pinches.

For the first time in years I actually feel confident in the defense. When we're attempting to tie games I'm not really worried about giving up a dagger goal to end it. And going into games I feel confident that two goals, or even one sometimes will be enough to win it.

Craig Anderson is playing some of the best hockey of his life right now. I can't actually remember the last "bad" goal he gave up? Meanwhile Steve Mason at the other end on Turris? Yeesh.

I can't remember any, either. Maybe the centre ice goal Seidenberg got a few years ago? :P

Just kidding, of course. I didn't like the rebound he gave on the second goal. Karlsson should have had his man covered but Anderson put it in the worst place possible. I think he was screened, though, so there's that. And he had an excellent game.

The PK has been about 500 times better this year...but sorry, I'm gonna have to rant about the Powerplay again. Now dead last in the league. We had one in the 2nd where I don't even think we gained the zone properly the first 90 seconds? How is this so bad? Why do we insist on the exact same zone entry every time? The guy stationary on the blue line always gets swarmed as soon as the pass is made.

With the scoring talent on this team I am confident at least 5v5 scoring should return to somewhere near normal very soon. I thought it was very unfortunate that Philly scored on a turnover in the 1st, because Ottawa were flying (hehe) up to that point and the wind fell out of them once it went in.

The power play is awful. A complete momentum killer. It's a little confusing to me, honestly. I understand it's a new coach, a new system and teaching them a new power play. Even when we do get settled, get set up and get awesome chances, they're not going in. Perhaps it's just bad luck.

[Josh]

It's a combination of bad luck and trying too hard to force it. Like you've said earlier, the goals will come. Tightening up the defense was the priority and it's definitely being accomplished.

[Alfie11]

We're also 3-0 in the shootout, which is nice. I think Karlsson deserves to be promoted to the third slot in the shootout. Turris and Ryan are usually money and it's a rotating door for the third spot.

[Matt the Aussie]

...

I can't remember any, either. Maybe the centre ice goal Seidenberg got a few years ago? :P

Just kidding, of course. I didn't like the rebound he gave on the second goal. Karlsson should have had his man covered but Anderson put it in the worst place possible. I think he was screened, though, so there's that. And he had an excellent game.

Even on that goal it's hard to get too upset at Anderson when, as you say, there was no containment from our D. There wasn't a lot of time to control that rebound but it did end up in a bad spot.