Bruised Senators

OTTAWA--It appears Jason Spezza is going to give it a go.

And he might even have surprising company among Ottawa's walking wounded.

Senators head coach Bryan Murray confirmed this morning that Spezza, pointless in the first two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, is feeling sufficiently better from a leg injury that he'll play in Game 3 tonight, with the Pens leading the series 2-0.

CHRIS WATTIE/REUTERS

Jason Spezza, right, and Daniel Alfredsson combined to score 74 goals for the Ottawa Senators during the 2007-08 regular season.

That wasn't exactly a shocker. What was, however, was Murray's suggestion that captain Daniel Alfredsson might be available after being on the sidelines every since suffering knee and concussion problems after a late season bodycheck from Maple Leaf forward Mark Bell.

"I don't know," said Murray about Alfredsson after a morning meeting between the two. "I'm not shutting the door on anything."

Maybe it's just a smokescreen. In fact, little is known about the precise nature of Alfredsson's injuries, or whether he's even been skating, although apparently he did go for a twirl Monday night.

"I think he has (skated). . .once," said Murray, being deliberately vague on the matter, other than to say he'll meet with Alfredsson before the game.

If Alfredsson were to appear tonight before a raucous if worried home crowd, it would obviously be an inspirational charge for the Senators. Then again, if he is suffering from concussion related symptoms, it would be awfully risky to throw him out there in the middle of a playoff game without a proper regimen of workouts and practices beforehand.

Spezza, meanwhile, needs to not only play, but get the Sens offence rolling, as is also the case for winger Dany Heatley.

"I'm really happy with their play but you're not," said Murray. "I'd like to see them get some points."

Both Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly, meanwhile, are expected to miss their third straight playoff games.

Comments

[Marijan Kalman]

Hi Damien,

after watching TSN and other so called "Hockey" shows I came to conclusion that all of you hockey writers are pretending and intentionally not discussing the most important issue in hockey specially in playoff, refereeing.
Referees are so bad, calls are beyond terrible.
In just few games they stole three goals from Nashvile, one when puck hit linesman, last few seasons they call this face off outside of blue line.
In first Flyers game, player is dead on the ice and they let play continue and Caps score.One night later Rangers player collide with Brodeur and they stop a play.THE RULE IS YOU HAVE TO STOP PLAY.
In the first Rangers game they made few calls for which game in NBA,SOCCER are replayed. LAST CALL THAT LINESMEN MADE IS JUST BLATANT RULE OBSTRUCTION.Last nigh Avery is in front Brodeur, Brodeur punched him twice, slashed him twice in FRONT OF LINESMEN and they don't call penalty just because he is not playing by "hockey code" and then you have that IDIOT tirading on CBC for ten minutes how Avery should be punished for "unethical behaviour" and all are nodding in approval. People are doing this what Avery did last night for last 30 years, THAT IS NOT A PENALTY.
Last night Phaneuf hits Marleau from behind no penalty,Mclaren DIDN'T EVEN TOUCH Calgary player they called penalty.Sarich hit with ellbow Marleau in the head, no penalty.Every call after Sharks third goal was made with intent to bring Calgary back into the game.
Montreal player runs Boston player without puck what is interference, no call Montreal scores.

Then you have that idiot Tootoo who is skating on the ice like animal looking to injure someone , extending elbows, jumping into the hits and referees are watching this with no calls.

And this is going on and on. Referring is so bad with NHL approval, with exception of two months after strike they made a gang violence from the game.
ALL OF YOU IN THE MEDIA ARE AS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS GANG VIOLENCE AS THE NHL THAT IS INSTRUCTING THESE IDIOTS REFS TO MAKE THESE KIND OF CALLS.

NO WONDER NOBODY WATCHES THIS GARBAGE. Unless you in the media start camping to change this violence, this game is finishing in toilet, NOW IT IS HALF WAY DOWN!!!!!!

[FRT]

Re: Rerereeing.

Like my Pop's said..."That is not a sport it is a joke." Welcome to the most incompetent Gary Bettmans' NHL! Only the NHL can cause such controversy during their playoffs with the rules being blatantly disregarded or rules changing from game to game never mind period to period! The whole league is nothing but a compete joke. There is no more interest in the actual playing of what is a fine game if played properly...the game is now played with intent to injure and maim. There is more blood being spilled by blatant hits to the head along the boards or with sticks to the face then a good WWE Wrestle-mania event!

[John Reid]

You can really feel the anger and feeling of helplessness that Murray is exuding these days. Honestly, I don't blame him. His star players are getting hurt on an almost hourly basis & there is no concept of team play within the locker room right now.

I wanted the Sens to lose, but not like this! They better step it up and make a game of it tonight.

PS Marijan needs to relax.

[Steve]

I'll I can say is HA-HA-HA. Hey Sens fans, how are you doing? Not so smug now are you. Enjoy your Golf season.

And enough of the Bettman slams. I wasn't a fan of his for many years but you have to admit, the regular season finish was exciting. The difference between first in the conference and out of the dance isn't that much anymore.

Home fans will always disagree with calls made by a referee, it's part of the game and part of being a fan, but for the most part I think they get it right. Complaints are made when the don't make calls late in games or in overtime that are a penalty in the first period, then they make the calls and we complain. We might not like it but usually the Ref's are right....EXCEPT FOR KERRY FRASER, that JA has to make sure everyone watching knows he is in charge. (He must have made a few calls against the Leafs for me to hate him so much).

GO PENS GO, for that matter Go anyone playing the Sens GO.

[Bill]

I think all the years of being called a heartless team never really sank in with Ottawa until this year.
They quit on the coach earlier in the season and they totaly quit in the third period last night, at home, in front of their fans.
Do not expect any inspiration from Murray.
While every shot of the Pens bench showed much gabbing,gestulating,finger pointing,group huddles etc.
The picture of Murray standing with his arms folded glaring sternly at the refs for most of the game while the players sit with their heads down begs the question;
Who is coaching this team???Who would want to?

[Steve Barnett]

Yep, the refs are brutal so far this year..the missed high stick in the Boston game was poor, and dont give me this follow through crap like Ron Mclean was trying to pull the other night....Now how about Sean Avery?..you dont need to change the rule at all..let him stand there and take one in the back or the back of his head..He wont do it twice, thats for sure..Spezza looks like Kyle Wellwood out there and that aint sayin much fellas. He dissapears every year at this time, no heart or guts..
Heatley is getting pissed at Spezza as well..Pens in 4? How sweet is that folks..? I like Foligno though, kids got some talent..Too bad the rest of the gutless ones dont follow..

"on the tee the Spezza foursome" Spezza foursome to the tee please"
Brings a while new meaning to "Fore" dont it?

[Richard whitbread]

Leaf fans can say what you,ike abouyt "heartless and gutless", but the Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson played on one good leg in pure heart effort to try and tally his team while the Leaf's captain, when faced with the same decision, took an early vacation. Yeah the Sens may fall horribly this season, but no one can say it was due to lack of heart and leadership from their Captain.