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The Senators have played well the last little while despite facing their fair share of adversity. Losing a number one centre and a top scoring Captain would sink most team's but the Senators have been able to pull together and remain in the thick of the playoff race.

Despite recent success, Murray continues to look for ways to improve his team. Last I heard, the Sens GM is actively looking for a top 4 defenceman to help a struggling back end and floundering power play.

Unfortunately, the pickings are slim with most teams still believing they still have a shot at grabbing a playoff spot. Also hurting the Senators chances of acquiring a stud defender is their lack of movable assets.

There are rumours out there about Dion Phaneuf in Calgary but those are just rumours for now.

Seems to me that if Ottawa is going to acquire a top 4 D it would have to be a little closer to the deadline, once teams are more certain of their "buyer/seller" status.


ON KOVALEV

The Kovalev doubters have been all over this city from the beginning and honestly a lot of it comes from some of the media types in Ottawa.

Call me crazy (and some already have, eh Mr. Wallace?) but I think #27 has been pretty solid for the Senators all year. Unfortunately as a $5 mil a season guy, if he's not putting the puck in the net people assume he's underachieving.

But when a guy isn't getting the breaks, as was the case with Kovalev in the first half, you need to look beyond the boxscores. His puck possession game has been terrific all season.

He was signed to provide a secondary scoring threat and that is exactly what he's done. If you think the strong season of Mike Fisher and recent surge from Ryan Shannon isn't directly attributed to AK27, you're kidding yourself.

I'd hate to think where the Senators would be right now had they not signed Kovalev this off season. The injuries to Spezza and Alfredsson would have been completely crippling.



PREPARING FOR THE BRUINS

The Sens were on the ice this morning in preparation for tomorrow's tilt with the Bruins. Line combinations were unchanged.

Kovalev-Fisher-Shannon
Michalek-Regin-Foligno
Ruutu-Kelly-Neil
Cheechoo-Winchester-Donovan

I wouldn't be surprised to see Elliott get the start tomorrow night.


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