So here we are, 3 games away from the start of the NHL playoffs. It has been a very interesting season this year with pretty much the only consistency being Detroit's complete and total domination of the Western Conference. But who really cares about the West? Certainly not the NHL. Just kidding...sort of, but what I really want to talk about is the East anyway. I remember watching Sports Center about half a season ago and Bob Mackenzie was analyzing away as only he can. I recall him saying on this particular day, "aside from the Ottawa Senators, the entire Eastern Conference is very mediocre."
...What the hell happened?? By now we're all used to the Ottawa Senators choking, but it's not even playoff time yet! Now they find themselves with three games left and actually in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in...who the hell knows! How does a team with so much talent always seem to enjoy toiling with failure? Well part of the reason is easy, I can't remember the Sens ever having a bonafide #1 goaltender. Ray Emery had an impressive playoff last year, but there was just always something about him that led me to believe he wouldn't be able to continue that success. Low and behold, this year he is barely holding on to a job. Martin Gerber was a good pick-up last year but has also proven that he is not a starting goaltender. Before that they tried to quash the issue by signing future hall-of-famer, Dominick Hasek. I thought it was pretty funny when that plan 'flopped'. And even before that it was the Patrick Lalime story. Ahh Patrick Lalime...the goat to some of the greatest Maple Leafs playoff victories in recent history. There is no sweeter memory than Joe Nieuwendyk scoring twice...from the exact same spot on Lalime in game 7. But I digress. So is that the only/main problem with the Sens? No. If anyone remembers the Stanley Cup finals last year, they had 2 prolific scorers that it seemed only came out to play on a full moon. Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley. So much was expected of these two but they, for lack of a better term, shat the bed. Then there's coaching and management issues and yada yada yada.
The bottom line is it's coming dangerously close to cleaning house time for the Sens...but do they have the balls to actually do it? When the media keeps telling you what a great team you've got, it's hard to see past all the 'unfortunate injuries' isn't it Bryan Murray?
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3 comments:
Well Scott Id have to say I agree, yes the Ottawa Senators have "shat the bed". I don't know if it's time to clean house, but I would say it's time to get rid of Ray Emery. I believe he has become more of a distraction now, and that if the Senators want to get back to their winning ways then it's time to trade Emery.
I also agree with the both of you. The Sens have shat the bed pretty good. I also do agree with sandman cause well ya Emery started being a distraction awhile ago during this season. Clean house?? I'm not sure about that but it could be a possible solution
All I can say is that the caps better make the playoffs. I really want Ovie to do well and obviously winning the cup is the ultimate goal.
I am a Canucks fan but it's really not looking good.
O well I have my baseball and the raps.
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