From First to ????

It's fair to say nobody, but nobody would have predicted in October or November that tomorrow night's visit of Ottawa to Phoenix would be a critical game for either team, let alone both of them.

But it is, particularly so for the Senators.

Yes, the Coyotes can still qualify for post-season play, hardly a scenario that seemed possible months ago when it appeared that Wayne Gretzky might be headed for an absolutely miserable season in the desert. So sure, the 'Yotes need a win.

But how about Ottawa?

Now 0-fer so far on this western road swing, and with only one win to their credit since Bryan Murray took over from John Paddock as head coach, the Sens will have to be an absolutely desperate team in Phoenix, something they haven't had to be for a long, long time.

In the worst case scenario, the Sens could soon find themselves in danger of missing the playoffs if they can't start winning the odd game. That seems a remote possibility indeed, but the fact that it's even in the conversation is truly amazing given the way in which this team started the season.

But having played losing hockey since Jan. 1, the more important reality for the Sens is somehow finding a way to head into the playoffs with the proverbial wind at their backs, a particularly challenging situation given their dicey goaltending situation.

That said, far too much attention has been paid to the Ray Emery situation, and not nearly enough to the way in which Ottawa's core players, particularly those with brand new or relatively new contracts, are responding these days.

Since this time last year, the Sens have signed Emery, Anton Volchenkov, Chris Phillips, Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and Mike Fisher to long-term contracts, and somewhere along the line it seems like this hockey club lost its fire and became rather complacent.

Money changes things. Make that many players hugely wealthy for the first time all at once, and you might have a team that no longer has the hunger it once did.

To understand that, look no further than Gretzky's team, filled with young players hoping to latch on to full-time NHL work, a team almost bereft of front-level NHL talent.

Yet the Coyotes play hard, very hard, every night.

By comparison, the Sens look rich, fat and unwilling to pay the price.

That needs to change. Saturday night would be a good time.

Comments

[Dan]

Hmmmm.... a team signs players to long term big money contracts and starts playing bad...

Remind anyone of some other ontario hockey team???

[Coop]

I don't mean to sound like a heathen...BUT...things are so brutal in Leafsland these days that I actually enjoyed this post about Ottawa. whoah. (shudder)

[PPP]

The sens have the second worst record in the NHL since January 1 and the 5th worst since the 19 game mark of the season. Considering that they will likely just get blown out of the playoff race shouldn't you be urging them to play Ray Emery, call up some kids, and tank the rest of the season in the hopes of getting a better draft pick?

[Frank]

Good. This doesn't make the Leafs any better, but it should shut up those Ottawa fans.

[Gadder]

Big contracts equal poorer effort? Break it down big-money player by player.
Fisher gets around 20 goals a year and he's close this year again. His value is elsewhere and that's why he was signed long term. Alfie's been injured and playing at 70%. Heatley would have got his ususal 50 goals a year but he missed a month with a separated shoulder. Spezza, well, is off his usual scoring pace and isn't helping too much defensively so I can't defend him. Emery - what a bonehead.
No, I think it's the horrible goaltending since December, and the lack of effort not from the stars but the supporting cast. The 3rd and 4th lines have been pretty non-existent this year, with a few exceptions (Neil, Schubert).

[selvig]

Things are so bad in Leafland, I'm rooting for the Canadiens to take the East.

[Matt]

If these two clubs (OT & TO) go about their ways, come March 22nd and April 3rd, they could be possibly fighting each other for the last and final playoff spot. A long shot by any means for both teams (positive for TO and definitely a negative for OT) but oh how fun those games will be.

Looks like OT is starting to stand behind Gerber, which is probably a good start to getting where this club needs to be. They really can't afford to be tossing coins for starts at this time of the year.

Although it looks like it, I don't think its time for the Sens to hit the panic button, they just need to sit down relax and have some chamomile tea.

[matt]

Oooooooooh, I'm loving seeing the Sens falter. I have one annoying Ottawa fan as a friend and she has rubbed in the Leafs losing ways. When I pointed out to her that the Sens have played just as bad as the Leafs since game #20 this year she chalked it up to me being a Leafs fan. Showed her the stats and she started to worry.

The Leafs have the esxcuse that the players they signed are over-valued and not that talented. The Sens have the talent but they are playing just as bad. It makes me feel better as a Leafs fan knowing that....

[Mia Bisloapsis]

what's with coaches who yo yo goalies - it never works - all it does is screw up the team - pick one and go with it - big mouth, half wit, donkey, Ray E. is the ONLY reason Ottawa sucks

[Lewis McClain]

Hi Damian. Let us not forget that the public is paying to see the leafs try their best on the ice. Not look for draft choices that may or may not make it. Raycroft needs to prove he can win the job in practice, or in the minors at this point. It is to the players credit that they are sticking togather, and trying to win every game. Go Leafs....

[chris]

Yep, the Senators sure do suck right now. But to gloat over their misery the way Leafs fans are going about is pretty sad.

The Senators will end up winning the Cup before the Leafs do because theirs is a better run organization. And I'm as much a Sens fan as I am a Leafs fan. Which is to say: NOT!

[mark]

Nice comment by Chris. Sens are a better run team then the Leafs? That's like saying the Bismark was a better run ship then the Titanic. Next time, try to make a point Chris. Oh, by the way, it's clear that you are a Habs fan... which makes you an expert at gloating. True Leaf fans are not gloating about anything, including Ottawa's spiral.

[Bruce]

The Senators are only playing bad hockey because I've been so put off by the Leafs this year, that I've been toying with the idea of actually becoming a Sen's fan. And that is the curse carried by all Toronto Maple Leaf fans.
Change your allegance and the curse follows.

Sorry Ottawa.....