With the Sens coming after a disastrous loss against the Bruins on Tuesday, the games ahead aren’t going to be any easier. In fact, the Sens play their next 6 out of 7 games on the road and with their road record, this is never good news. Add to that the loss of Alfredsson and Spezza which make things somewhat tougher. The good news is that reports are suggesting both Spezza and Alfredsson may be ahead of their recovery schedules but while Alex Kovalev has turned the heat on, the likes of Fisher and Michalek are slowly fading away. The 3rd and 4th liners are doing the job so far, but how long can they keep it up?

The Sens are currently sitting 6th place in the Eastern Conference, 3 points out of 5th place and 1 point out of 7th . I have to say considering where we were last year and the magnitude of injuries we have I’m pretty happy with this placement. However, the conference is competitive and a loss or two in the next few games can see us looking from the outside in.

- First up are the mighty Capitals, led by their new Captain Ovechkin they’re the team to beat. Nothing about this game is in favour of the Sens, but if the Sens battle the way they did against the Isles and Philly and Kovalev continues his hot streak they can at least get a point out of this one, won’t be easy though.

- The Sens then briefly come home to play the Panthers, then off to Carolina and Atlanta. These three games should be manageable games for the Sens, especially the first two. So my guess is we get at least 4 pts here.

- Then it’s off to Empire State to face the hot Gaborik and the rest of the Rangers. This team is somewhat confused but it has no shortage of overpaid underachieving players which cause them trouble in most nights. Lundqvist has been good against the Sens, and this is close to a must win for the Sens seeing as how quickly the Rangers are closing the gap on them. Again, I expect at least a point in this one.

- To wrap it up, the Sens meet two if their arch enemies in Montreal and the dreaded Bruins. The Sens seem to step it up against the Habs and I expect to maintain that same intensity. I’ll be honest; I’ve lost all hope that the Sens will win a game against Thomas this season. So unless Thomas is miraculously watching the game from the bench, I don’t expect a single point in this game. Hopefully a win the game before against the Habs will be good enough.

All in all I predict the Sens to get a total of 9 out of a possible 14 points. Honestly, if they can manage to get that I’d be pretty satisfied. What’s everyone else’s prediction?

Just wanted to bring a mention of the World Juniors Championship and congratulate the US team on winning the Gold medal. Too bad most outlets in the US had close to no coverage on it but whatever. Both teams were great but Canada made at least one more mistake than the US and it cost them. In the end, I have to say I’m more than proud of our Canadian boys, they gave it all they got and battled through the end. Cowen was somewhat a disappointment but I’m willing to give the kid some time however I do want and the hero Eberle and Pieteranglo jerseys. These two were just amazing throughout the tournament showing great poise and maturity and representing our colours the best way they can, and the Oilers should be insanely excited for Eberle, this kid is the real deal and one day he’s going to be something special – and I mean more special than he already is- . Honourable mentions go to Hall, Kadri, Kozoun, Adam and the rest of the boys.

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S19 Hockey Thoughts

If Fisher and Michalek are out long term, this road will be alot more than bumpy

I was just about to say the same thing...

ROFL @ RUUTU ON THE BENCH!

Gotta love that guy.

Also umm With Michalek out long term, it's time for Foligno to step it up. At times he looked amazing tonight, especially that amazing dipsydoodle move.

Ok, if Cheechoo can't progress up the lines a little with Michalek out, they may as well buy the poor guy out now.

There are so many people that need to step up starting from Leclaire/Elliot to the likes of Cheechoo and Foligno. Fisher needs to get back to his old pace, I guess he was really insulted by the Olympic cut off

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S19 Hockey Thoughts

i got a weird feeling in the pit of my stomache that by the end of this road trip the sens are either not going to be in a playoff apot, or are going to be in 8th, they have stunk it up on the road this year, and the goalies really have to step up on this road trip and give the sens a chance because were not going to be scoring very many goals, so those bad weak goals gotta not happen

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"By the age of 18, the average American has witnessed 200,000 acts of violence on television, most of them occurring during Game 1 of the NHL playoff series."

i agree 100% fisher needs to get back into the groove he was in at the beginning of the season,

foligno needs o start playing like a second liner too, he isnt scoring and we need seconday scoring. th e only time we get seconday scoring is if kovalev sets someone up good, or gets a goal himself. we need a full healthy lineup, hopefully sooner then expected! c'mon alfy and spezz and michalek, we need you NOW!

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"By the age of 18, the average American has witnessed 200,000 acts of violence on television, most of them occurring during Game 1 of the NHL playoff series."

I honestly dont mind being in 8th, a playoff spot is a playoff spot. And considering our situation, just being in the race is good enough for me