Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

[thedaigle1]

Lots of rumblings about the returns of Ryan and Methot.

Ottawa can still manage 3/4 points.

Hope the Alfie thing isn't a huge distraction.

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

I heard he's taking part in the skate?

[Alfie11]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Yes, the pre-game skate. He's practicing like he's on the team, but won't be playing in the game.

Last night's game, I thought they could have won that game. They put in a good effort for 50% of the game. An unlucky bounce ended the game. I thought Neil's hit on Hamonic changed the game.

[thedaigle1]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Last night's game, I thought they could have won that game. They put in a good effort for 50% of the game.

As much as Ottawa is yet to put together a full 60 minutes of solid play, they are also yet to get shelled over 60. Their worst defeat was 4-1 against Tampa and I hardly consider that a blowout. I'll take one or two good periods a night. The team has some good play to build on.

[Alfie11]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Well, I don't see the team making the playoffs this year unless there's a drastic change or a trade. The only chance they had in games at the beginning of the season was when the goaltenders played close to a .950SV%. Over the last little while, it's dipped down to .910SV%-ish and the team is struggling to find wins.

[Alfie11]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Also, great retirement ceremony from Alfie just now. The standing ovation was awesome. I can't say I see that too much.

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Last night's game, I thought they could have won that game. They put in a good effort for 50% of the game.

As much as Ottawa is yet to put together a full 60 minutes of solid play, they are also yet to get shelled over 60. Their worst defeat was 4-1 against Tampa and I hardly consider that a blowout. I'll take one or two good periods a night. The team has some good play to build on.

Not being shelled is mostly up to Anderson's play. Now that Anderson is not other-worldly (but still good) every night we are starting to see a concerning trend I feel.

Lehner is also good, but just good. He's not going to steal games with regularity.

[thedaigle1]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Not being shelled is mostly up to Anderson's play. Now that Anderson is not other-worldly (but still good) every night we are starting to see a concerning trend I feel.

Lehner is also good, but just good. He's not going to steal games with regularity.

This is true. And the goalies are tired of bailing out the D. I've noticed some serious death stares from Andy and Lenny.

Return of Methot must mitigate decline in superhuman goaltending. If that happens, the team can hang around .500.

[thedaigle1]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Lehner day-to-day with minor injury. Hammond recalled.

[Josh]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Can't even muster up a win for Alfie's big day..

[Alfie11]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

I thought they actually played a good game but couldn't get anything going offensively. A ton of missed chances both ways. The pre-game was cool.

[Matt the Aussie]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Really liked the pre-game. Great to see the whole family out there sharing that moment with him. Subtle, but I noticed all of the kids were wearing captain Karlsson sweaters instead of Alfie ones - kinda like "the new generation" sort of thing.

As for the game, the Islanders are sneaky good. Ottawa did a good job of keeping most of their stuff to the outside, but they converted on what they were given and we did not. Right now, the Sens are predictable. Get low on the cycle, lots of drop passes on the half wall, pinching well but only to push the puck back behind the net. It's too easy to keep all that to the outside. Someone needs to drive the net and they ALL need to shoot more often and more accurately. Ask Hoffman for pointers, he's the only one really doing that.

I thought Methot had as good a game as can be expected after being out so long. On the other hand, I'm not sure why Ryan played when he clearly was not ready? Was it left upto him and he had too much pride? Or are they forcing him to play?

[thedaigle1]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Someone needs to drive the net and they ALL need to shoot more often and more accurately. Ask Hoffman for pointers, he's the only one really doing that.

I thought Methot had as good a game as can be expected after being out so long. On the other hand, I'm not sure why Ryan played when he clearly was not ready? Was it left upto him and he had too much pride? Or are they forcing him to play?

Totally.

[Alfie11]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Yeah, Ryan is clearly still injured. Well, I mean, he even said his finger is broken and there's no way there's no pain there anymore. I'm guessing he asked to get back in because he wanted to play through it and try to help the team.

[Alfie11]

Re: Games 23/24 Dec 2/4 @/vs NYI

Really liked the pre-game. Great to see the whole family out there sharing that moment with him. Subtle, but I noticed all of the kids were wearing captain Karlsson sweaters instead of Alfie ones - kinda like "the new generation" sort of thing.

I noticed that, too. I got the same vibe...plus I think Alfie's kids really like Erik. I also noticed one of his kids went to hug him at the end and Alfie rejected him :lol:

I thought it was extremely well done. How the transitioned the video tribute to Alfie coming onto the ice was awesome. The building-up hype and then he comes onto the ice for the final time.