GDT: Ottawa vs Boston - 8th of Jan

[langway05]

Senators-Bruins Preview and can be caught on these fine channels: SNET-E, NESN (HD)

The Senators continue to have problems offensively, having scored an NHL-low 88 goals. They've managed just 16 goals in the first seven games of their road trip, going 1-5-1

After Tuesday's 4-2 loss at Buffalo, they're 4-13-3 on the road this season.

This season, the Senators (13-19-6) have slumped to last place in the Northeast Division while the Bruins (29-7-4) have surged to the top of the East.

Boston did that with an impressive 27-3-1 run from Oct. 25-Jan. 1, a stretch that finished with 10 straight wins overall and a 14-game winning streak at home. But all of those spurts ended in recent days, with the Bruins' powerful offense slowing down in a pair of losses.

After a 4-2 home defeat to Buffalo on Saturday, the Bruins were shut out for the first time all season on Tuesday, losing 1-0 to the Minnesota Wild at the TD Banknorth Garden. They had averaged 4.6 goals during their 10-game winning streak.

"I don't want to say a slump. We've lost two games," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "We've kind of lost that confidence."

Boston has lost three straight just once this season, going 0-1-2 from Oct. 20-23.

This is another tilt that has the opportunity to get real ugly real fast for the visitors..

 

[Orvy]

I smell 1st pick and Tavares in a Sens' uniform!! ...or is that just the stink from the current play by the Sens?? Starting to look like it is time to get back to building from the draft. They have nothing to trade to improve enough... the Big 3, two of which have no-trade clauses and I'd wish everyone would stop picking on ol' Spez. Ah... just venting.

 

[cards-gotta-go]

With the first overall pick in the 2009 Entry Draft...

 

[mclean_m]

What does everyone think of Hartsburg's comments after the game regarding Alfredsson and Spezza?

As a local newspaper columnist recently said, Hartsburg gave up a job-for-life if he wanted in Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) to pursue the NHL yet again, and it looks like his time might be coming half way through his first season. Incidentally, he has now left the Soo Greyhounds twice before his contract ran out. I don't think he'll be back again. I wonder what's next for him?

Does Hartsburg get fired, or do Spezza and possibly others get traded?

 

[cards-gotta-go]

Hartsburg is clearly not the problem.
The team stunk the 2nd half of last year, and it has not gotten any better.
The problem lies with the guys wearing the jerseys, not the suits, at least in his case.

In my mind, Spezza, and 1-2 others, has to go.

Yeah, I'm aware that the Senators are 21st in goals against. But LAST in goals for? It sounds odd to say trade one of your "offensive stars" to improve your offence, but that's what I think neds to be done, and most everyone else seems to be leaning the same way.

 

[DaveLefebvre]

Atleast they know how to lose properly...Oh well. I've resigned myself to the fact it's going to be a long, disappointing year. As for trading Spezza, it won't happen. He's the only one of the big three right now even trying. We'll see a change (maybe as early as today), but it won't be that massive shake up everyone seems to think.

 

[cards-gotta-go]

I think Melnyk is ready to blow this thing up... I just get the sense that a BIG move is coming...

A team on pace for 65 points... as the expression goes:

Somebody gonna getta hurt real bad!

 

[frankiefives]

I think EVERYTHING should be blown up. From the top down. Fire Murray and Hartsburg. Bring in a new GM who will hire his own coach. Then allow that GM to make whatever changes he feels are necessary to start rebuilding a TEAM. It doesn't take long anymore. Look at the Flyers last year...