26 SPORTS
The Ottawa Sun n Saturday, March 1, 2014
REPORT CARD
SENS
CHANGING YOUR PAYDAY EXPERIENCE
A look back at the month that was February
Short, but not sweet 89 Cory Conacher
CHRIS
HOFLEY
Senators
chris.hofley@sunmedia.ca @chrishofley
The Ottawa Senators did little in February to figure out whether they would be buyers or sellers going into the upcoming trade deadline. Granted, the sample size wasn’t big as the team played only five games early in February before breaking for the Olympics in Sochi. With a record of 2-3-1, the Senators pulled out another impressive win over the St. Louis Blues – in a shootout, no less – before squeaking out a 3-2 win that was closer than it should have been against the basementdwelling Buffalo Sabres. Then they returned from the Olympic break in time to get trounced 6-1 by Detroit to close out the month. Despite the way the month ended, there were a few bright spots in the tilts leading up to Sochi. After ending January with points in three of four games, the team got slammed 6-3 by the hated Toronto Maple Leafs in game that saw Chris Neil land on the scoreboard three times with two goals and assist. Colin Greening, who hasn’t exactly been an offensive superpower this year, chipped in a goal and assist in the loss. Stephane Da Costa, who had looked out of place in previous call-ups, scored the only goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to Pittsburgh, starting a stretch of solid play from the French forward. Da Costa would also score a big goal in the shootout against St. Louis and followed that up with an assist in the win over Buffalo. Lehner’s play against Detroit has to be cause for concern, however.
Forward GP G 58
4
A
16
Pts 20
5 Cody Ceci
6.5
Average for the season
/10 6.0
Had three assists in February but Conacher has continued to play mostly fourth-line minutes, only breaking the 10-minute mark twice in February. Needs to be a pest in front of the net.
25 Chris Neil Forward
/10
GP G A Pts 8
GP G 27
3
11
Average for the season
7.0
Forward GP G A Pts 54
5
7
12
6.5 Average for the season
Forward GP G
Had one assist in five games, but Condra isn’t counted on for his scoring. Continues to be a strong checker and penalty killer, but has shown good hockey sense when occasionally elevated in the lineup.
6 Bobby Ryan Forward
8.0
/10
GP G A Pts 60
22
22
Average for the season
43
8.5
Only had one goal in February’s first five games, but was apparently hampered by a nagging injury. Had the lone goal in ugly loss to Detroit.
Pts 6
7.0
Average for the season
/10
15
A
30
7.0
Forward
7.0
GP G 59
5
A 8
Pts 13
6.5 Average for the season
/10 6.1
Had a two-point effort, including a goal, in the loss to Toronto. He’s a strong utility player and isn’t afraid to get dirty, but needs to convert more often if he wants minutes.
/10
Pts Average for 45
14 Colin Greening
the season
6.3
Had five points in wins against St. Louis and Buffalo but was held to one assist and was a combined -7 over the other three games in February. He continues to be a team-worst in that department with an ugly -23 for the season.
-23
/10 6.0
5
19 Jason Spezza
The veteran tough guy has looked good since returning from injury, scoring twice and adding an assist against Toronto. Tried to fight Johan Franzen against Detroit.
22 Erik Condra
1
A
www.accessiblecash.ca
Was a -2 in February but continues to look comfortable on the Senators’ back end. He hasn’t scored since his first ever goal, an overtime winner, but doesn’t make many mistakes on the blueline.
55
7.5 23
Defence
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His plus/minus continues to be worst on team
40 Robin Lehner Goalie GP W L 24
7
11
Otl 3
7.0
Average for the season
/10
7 Kyle Turris Forward
7.1
Only started one of the five February games but it was a good one, turning away 46 shots in Ottawa’s shooutout win in St. Louis. Got lit up in Thursday’s miserable outing against Detroit.
GP G A Pts 60
19
25
Had a goal and an assist in February leading into the break and continued to be great in the faceoff circle. In those five games, his faceoff percentage only dipped below 50% once, and he had two games at over 60%.
44
9.0 Average for the season
/10 9.1
9
65 Erik Karlsson Defence GP G 60
/10
Pts Average for
A
15
40 55
the season
9.1
Before getting shutdown by Canada in the Olympic gold medal final, Karlsson had four points, including two goals, in five games going into the break. Still turns the puck over but plays a ton of hockey, including nearly 30 minutes against St. Louis.
3 Marc Methot Defence GP G 53
5
A
13
7.0
/10 7.3
Pts Average for 17
the season
Had two assist in February and was a -1 in five games but is still a dependable presence on the blueline. He’s trusted by the coaches and continues to play big minutes, usually in the 22-24 minute range.
MARCH
Sun
Mon
16 Clarke MacArthur Forward
5
2
CBC, RDS
3
4
VAN
GP G 58
18
A
24
9
42
After a strong January, MacArthur slowed down early in February and was held off the score sheet completely. A streaky scorer, he’s bound to heat up again, but until then the team loves how he plays both with and without the puck.
Forward GP G 26
0
A 1
5.0
/10
Forward
Pts Average for 1
the season
5.5
Only got into the lineup twice in the last five games and only played 1:30 against Toronto. He needs to be physical and drop the gloves if he’s going to play.
15 Zack Smith Forward GP G 60
10
A 6
7.0
/10
10
16
SNET-E, TVA
17
the season
7.3
Had a couple of fights in the games leading to the Olympic break and continues to be a dependable centre. Got under everyone’s skin against St. Louis.
93 MIka Zibanejad Forward GP G 50
11
A
14
7.0
GP G 12
3
A 1
Pts 4
Average for the season
/10
Pts Average for 24 the season
23
7:30
Had three assists but was also a minus -3 in five games in February. He’s not afraid throw his body around and looks noticeably more confident with the puck.
23
7
77 Joe Corvo GP G 25
3
A 7
Defence GP G 56
3
A 9
7.1
Didn’t look good in the final game in Boston, giving up five goals on 33 shots. The Senators lost in overtime against Pittsburgh, but Anderson was outstanding in making 46 saves.
14
15
CBC, RDS
18
19
20
SNET-E, TVA
21
TAM
22 SNET-E, TVA DAL
7:30
27
FLO
3:00
28 SNET-E, 29 TVA CHI
7:30
7:30
4
A
12
5.0
/10
Pts Average for 16
the season
5.6
4.5
/10
Pts Average for 10
the season
4.8
7.0
/10
Pts Average for 12 the season
GP G 35
1
A 7
6.5
9 Milan Michalek Forward
6.3
Cowen was a -3 with two assists leading into the Olympic break. He’s steady on the blueline but needs to use his big body more. If he’s playing with Karlsson.
62 Eric Gryba 10
13
If he wants more ice time, Wiercioch needs to contribute more points, plain and simple. He scored against Boston in a losing effort but was held scoreless in February.
2 Jared Cowen
GP W L
3:00
7:00
SNET-E, TVA
39
Defence
7.5
CBC, TVA
MON
GP G
41 Craig Anderson
Otl Average for 3 the season
12
Defence
Tough to rate a guy who doesn’t play. After seeing some success earlier in the season, Corvo didn’t dress once in February and you have to wonder if he’ll get many more games
/10
8
WIN
46 Patrick Wiercioch
There was some head-scratching after Da Costa was demoted to the AHL before the break. He wasn’t recalled after the Olympics either, with the Sens electing to call up Mike Hoffman.
8.0
7
9:30
24 SNET-E, 25 SNET-E 26 TVA TAM
Defence
7
6
7:30
penalty minutes, putting him 3rd on the team
7.5
11
SNET-E
1
CAL
NYR
62
/10
5
AWAY
Sat
7:30
8.3
Goalie
Pts Average for 16
24 Stephane Da Costa
Fri
NASH
/10
the season
SNET-E, TVA
9:30
RDS, TSN
COL
Pts Average for
Thu
Wed
EDM
4:00
goals on this season is a career best for Methot
7.5
Tues
HOME
5:00
28 Matt Kassian
27
SPORTS
The Ottawa Sun n Saturday, March 1, 2014
/10
Pts Average for 8 the season
GP G 60
10
A
15
Looks comfortable playing 20-24 minutes per night and is starting to use his size more to his advantage. Continues to develop into a dependable blueliner.
Pts Average for 25
the season
5.5
He’s definitely not the player he once was, but Michalek showed flashes of his old self in early February, scoring once against St. Louis and twice versus Buffalo.
4 Chris Phillips Defence
5.8
6.5
/10
GP G 50
1
A
12
6.0
/10
Pts Average for 13
the season
6.6
Didn’t play in the final five games because of injury and the team wanted him to rest leading into the break. Returned to the lineup against Detroit,