View Full Version : Round 2: New Jersey vs Ottawa
Madferret
4-23-07, 12:11 PM
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Ottawa Senators
Regular Season Record: 48-25-9, 105 pts
Head-to-Head Record: 1-2-1
Last Stanley Cup Win: -
Last Stanley Cup Final Appearance: -
Last Postseason Appearance: 2006
Players with Stanley Cup Rings: Martin Gerber
Team Analysis: With the exception of the third period of Game 2 of their first round series, the Senators never really faced any adversity from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Bryan Murray's squad dominated the first five games with a solid effort from to bottom. Anyone left wondering whether the Senators should have acquired some leadership in Gary Roberts should take a longer look at captain Daniel Alfredsson, who led by example with three goals and six points. Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza also tallied it up on the scoreboard, fueling a lethal power play that scored once in every four opportunities. But the offense was a lot more than their top trio. In each game, the Senators were able to roll our all four lines and sprad out their scoring effectively. Defensively, the team also got a great two-way game from players like Dean McAmmond, Peter Schaefer and Chris Kelly. On the blueline, the tandem of Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov were arguably the best in the playoffs - effectively shutting down the league's best player in Sidney Crosby. Unlike past playoff campaigns, goaltending doesn't seem to be a sensitive issue in the nation's capital. Ray Emery has been as cool and confident as a seasoned veteran.
New Jersey Devils
Regular Season Record: 49-24-9, 106 pts
Head-to-Head Record: 3-1
Last Stanley Cup Win: 2003
Last Stanley Cup Final Appearance: 2003
Last Postseason Appearance: 2006
Players with Stanley Cup Rings: Patrik Elias (2), Scott Gomez (2), Brian Gionta, Sergei Brylin (3), Jamie Langenbrunner (2), Jim Dowd, Jay Pandolfo (2), John Madden (2), Brian Rafalski (2), Colin White (2), Brad Lukowich, Martin Brodeur (3)
Team Analysis: The Devils - as expected - played tight defensive hockey in the opening round, as four of their six games against the Tampa Bay Lightning were decided by one goal. Brodeur's performance in the first three games raised questions about his vulnerability, but the future Hall of Famer rebounded from squandering a two-goal lead in the second period of Game 4, which New Jersey won in overtime, then stopped 31 shots for his 22nd career playoff shutout in Game 5. Brodeur's 93rd postseason win in Game 6 moved him ahead of Grant Fuhr and into second place on the career playoff list behind Patrick Roy's 151. Up front, the offense has been solid with Zach Parise leading all playoff scorers with six goals. The foursome of Jamie Langenbrunner, Patrik Elias, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta has also been effective, especially on the power play. Defenceman Brian Rafalski is also a big part of the power play, with two goals and five assists in six games. Defensively, shutdown specialists John Madden and Jay Pandolfo have also been workhorses up front, logging in more than 20 minutes of ice-time in four of their first six games. Paul Martin, Brad Lukowich and Johnny Oduya keep the team's commitment to solid play in the back end, while rookie Andy Greene led all Devils blueliners in plus-minus (+4).
wildboy26
4-23-07, 2:37 PM
I am confident if Ottawa plays as well as they did in their last series that NJ wont be able to win 4 games from them, in a span of only 7. If they dont play quite as well though, NJ could beat them.
Max Power
4-23-07, 3:23 PM
Apparently Lou has already decided on the schedule and has posted it on their website.
Thur @7
Sat @8
The BS here is that the ice will be garbage because there is an event there Sat and Thur before the game
wildboy26
4-23-07, 7:31 PM
Apparently Lou has already decided on the schedule and has posted it on their website.
Thur @7
Sat @8
The BS here is that the ice will be garbage because there is an event there Sat and Thur before the game
Well how would bad ice favor the Devils you think, if at all? Is that being done in an attempt to benefit them you think? I guess the only thing I can think of is they are the weaker skating team of the two overall, and bad ice negates that.
Max Power
4-24-07, 9:08 AM
Well how would bad ice favor the Devils you think, if at all? Is that being done in an attempt to benefit them you think? I guess the only thing I can think of is they are the weaker skating team of the two overall, and bad ice negates that.
?
I'm not insinuating anything. It's BS because its playoff hockey and the players should have the best ice to skate on and we as fans should be able to see the game at its best. Also bad ice can lead to injuries. The devils should have something in their contract with the arena about this during the playoffs.
Ottawa beats Jersey in 7 games and it will be 7 great games to watch.
Devils in 7. The last time wasn't good enough, the Devils have to crush Sens fans hopes yet again.:nod: :D
Max Power
4-24-07, 2:01 PM
Devils in 7. The last time wasn't good enough, the Devils have to crush Sens fans hopes yet again.:nod: :D
Well at least you indirectly admit you're nervous by saying it will go to 7
We can smell fear =]
Well at least you indirectly admit you're nervous by saying it will go to 7
We can smell fear =]
Well, I'm trying to stay at least somewhat objective. The series really could go either way.
Ottawa is the team I'm the most nervous about in the Eastern Conference. They can play just about any style, they've got depth everywhere (well maybe except in goal), and they don't have the same aura of...well...choking about them as they have in years past. I think Ottawa is the most dangerous team in the conference.
Well, I'm trying to stay at least somewhat objective. The series really could go either way.
Ottawa is the team I'm the most nervous about in the Eastern Conference. They can play just about any style, they've got depth everywhere (well maybe except in goal), and they don't have the same aura of...well...choking about them as they have in years past. I think Ottawa is the most dangerous team in the conference.
Ya, I have to agree with you. The only part of Ottawa's game that might be questionable the rest of the way is their goaltending.
Max Power
4-25-07, 11:07 AM
All three of the Devils, Buffalo and Ottawa can potentially beat any team in the west and each other in a 7 game series. I'm still skeptic about how good the Rangers are and will stick by my assumption that Buffalo should beat them but I may be underrating them.
Madferret
4-25-07, 12:18 PM
If the Sens take out the Devils, we'll go to the SC finals. Book it.
Madferret
4-25-07, 12:24 PM
Emery hopes to make his mark in 2nd Round
Canadian Press
OTTAWA (CP) - Ottawa Senators goaltender Ray Emery bristled somewhat this week at suggestions that it's him versus New Jersey counterpart Martin Brodeur in the second round of the NHL playoffs.
Like it or not, however, the 24-year-old will have to live with being measured against the Devils great for the duration of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series.
''Two goalies are always going to be looked at head-to-head,'' Senators centre Jason Spezza said Tuesday following Ottawa's practice in preparation for Game 1 on Thursday night.
And Spezza has no doubt Emery can match Brodeur, a future Hall of Famer, save for save.
''Definitely,'' said Spezza, who's also one of Emery's close friends off the ice. ''Ray's got a lot of confidence and I think that's it's probably good for him to put him against Marty Brodeur because this is his time to shine.
''If he can show people that he can beat the best in the world, he'll get a lot of respect around the league and I think he deserves that respect.''
Without having stopped a puck yet against the Devils, Emery has already been the focus of the media in Ottawa this week.
Late in Monday's practice, he was stung by a shot to his catching hand and left early, although both he and Senators coach Bryan Murray dismissed the idea that he had aggravated an injury suffered earlier this season.
Emery made it through the entire practice Tuesday, but shooters appeared to keep away from his glove side.
''I can't say that I saw that,'' Murray said coyly. ''But maybe they did.''
The native of Cayuga, Ont., near Hamilton, left without speaking to reporters afterward, perhaps hoping to avoid the conversation altogether.
He'd already stated Monday that he'd be in goal for Game 1 at Continental Airlines Arena, where he'll put his nine career playoff wins up against Brodeur's 93, but doesn't think the matchup should be the focal point of the series.
''You definitely want to outperform the other guy, but I think you saw in the last series we're really playing as a team right now,'' he said. ''It's just a team effort, not so much individual battles.''
When it comes to talking about any series involving the Devils, however, it's impossible not to bring up the 34-year-old, three-time Stanley Cup-champion Brodeur and his opponent at the other end.
Last round it was Tampa Bay's Johan Holmqvist. In this case, it's Emery.
''I never think it's fair that way, but there's no question the goaltenders are priority people in this series,'' Murray said. ''It's a situation where if Ray plays as well as Marty, he's going to get lots of recognition for it.''
Emery won plenty of plaudits after going 33-16-6 with five shutouts during the regular season, but is still proving he can deliver the goods in the playoffs.
He was solid in helping the Senators knock off Pittsburgh in five games, but didn't have to do a whole lot at times against the overmatched Penguins.
Ottawa can take some of the heat off him with a similarly strong overall performance against New Jersey.<
''Bryan has got them playing a team concept,'' Devils coach and general manager Lou Lamoriello said Tuesday during a conference call. ''Their overall balance and their completeness are going to be a challenge.''
The challenge for the always-flashy Emery, who's even standing out away from the ice during this Senators' playoff run since he's taken to driving an exotic Lamborghini to the rink, will be remaining a cool customer under the glare of the spotlight in the series.
Spezza, for one, is confident Emery will be up to the task.
''He's a big-game guy,'' Spezza said. ''He likes the challenge. Even though we don't want it to be Ray against Marty, I think that, deep down, he doesn't mind the matchup.''
Meanwhile, the Senators said they'll try to make things tough on Brodeur by trying to create traffic in front and throwing as many shots as possible on net. They'll also try to get him moving laterally.
''Side-to-side plays will be big for us,'' Spezza said.
Ottawa noticed the Lightning had some success early on in Round 1 against the Devils with shots from sharp angles that seemed to catch Brodeur off guard.
''I thought (Vincent) Lecavalier and (Martin) St. Louis shot the puck a ton, a couple of times they got him moving laterally,'' Murray said. ''They were able to make seam passes on the power play. I don't know if that's something that we'll have the ability to or not. They're kind of special players.
''Dany Heatley's one guy on the team that, if he gets that kind of pass, might be able to beat him. That will be our plan.''
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I know Marty has said that he sees some of himself in Emery with the competitiveness, athletic ability, etc. I think you're going to see the best from both of them. This could go the way of the Vancouver/Dallas series actually.
Now that I've said that, all the games will be end up being 4-3, 5-4 finals.:laughing:
Max Power
4-26-07, 8:47 AM
I know Marty has said that he sees some of himself in Emery with the competitiveness, athletic ability, etc. I think you're going to see the best from both of them. This could go the way of the Vancouver/Dallas series actually.
Now that I've said that, all the games will be end up being 4-3, 5-4 finals.:laughing:
I really think this series won't be as tight defensively as people think. Both teams have good offence and in general I find Ottawa has found a way to play well against the NJ system. Usually the games are tight because good goaltending not because lack of chances. I really think NJ will have to take more chances offensively opening up the game... Well at least I hope =]
Tonight should be a close game separated by a goal or 2. Looking for an Ottawa win but at the same time a big game by Marty.
Go Sens Go! Make Lamoriello look like a fool for firing Julien! :thumb:
Madferret
4-26-07, 2:11 PM
Senators and Devils set for second round
Canadian Press
OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators figure to get plenty of mileage out of their stars against New Jersey.
Should the Senators progress past the Devils in Round 2, however, it'll likely be because their lesser lights continued to shine as brightly as they have so far this post-season.
''Every line chipped in last (series) and we've seen that all year,'' left-winger Antoine Vermette said Wednesday before the Senators departed for New Jersey and the opening game of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal Thursday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning may have thrown a scare into the Devils in the opening round by forcing New Jersey to come back from a 2-1 series deficit to win in six games.
Lightning stars Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Brad Richards carried the offensive load, but ultimately didn't have the support to deal with the Devils in the long run.
That won't be the case against the Senators.
Offensively, the high-scoring trio of Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson is only the start of a deep and talented Senators' lineup - one in which 16 of 19 skaters recorded at least a point in disposing of the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games in the opening round.
''I think it's in a way kind of similar to Tampa Bay where they have that really good top line, but, at the same time, they have three other lines that can put the puck in the net,'' Devils forward Zach Parise said from New Jersey.
Devils coach and general manager Lou Lamoriello said earlier this week his team's biggest challenge was dealing with the Senators' depth: Four lines and three pairs of defencemen that are fast, talented and grittier than previous editions of the Senators.
From Spezza's line to the fourth line of veteran Dean McAmmond, Christoph Schubert and Oleg Saprykin, the Devils' defence and goaltender Martin Brodeur can expect to face pressure that Tampa Bay couldn't maintain.
''I'm the fourth-line centre (and) we're capable in our own end, for sure, and we've been able to finish,'' said McAmmond, who chipped in with three points against the Penguins.
''We're the fourth line in the rotation, but we're not necessarily just your typical checking line that can only just get the puck in and bring some energy. We can be a threat.''
Offensively, the Devils offer up two strong scoring lines, but after Patrik Elias, Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez and Parise, Travis Zajac and Jamie Langenbrunner, they only received three points, including one goal, from their remaining forwards (John Madden, Jay Pandolfo, Sergei Brylin, Michael Rupp, Erik Rasmussen and Jim Dowd).
Likewise, Ottawa's second line of Mike Fisher, Mike Comrie and Peter Schaefer is dangerous, but the Senators didn't experience much of a drop-off after that against the Penguins.
Third-line centre Chris Kelly had four points, including three goals, in the opening round while Vermette, a 19-goal scorer during the regular season, and right-winger Chris Neil combined for another two goals and five points between them.
Schubert and Saprykin, who replaced the injured Patrick Eaves (concussion-like symptoms) for the final two games against the Penguins, were the only Senators' forwards to not record at least a point in the opening round.
With home-ice advantage, Lamoriello has the option of dictating which lines play head-to-head.
Any way the Devils go, the Senators are confident it will work in their favour.
''It would probably be to our advantage to be able to roll four lines and I'm confident we can play against Gomez and Gionta if they try and match us up,'' McAmmond said at the prospect of drawing checking duties opposite the EGG Line.
''I'm not afraid of that matchup for us. I think we'd be able to handle that, so that's ice time where they're not playing against our big guys.''
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Go Sens Go! Make Lamoriello look like a fool for firing Julien! :thumb:
I find it funny that Julien has somehow managed to get fired from both the Canadiens and Devils in a relatively short period of time, and yet people are pissed at Lou for firing him. Maybe it should say something about Julien that he keeps getting fired.:thumb:
Madferret
4-26-07, 11:13 PM
Now that I've said that, all the games will be end up being 4-3, 5-4 finals.:laughing:
lol
A scrambly game of hockey played with a square puck...
Madferret
4-26-07, 11:15 PM
Sens hang on to beat Devils in Game 1
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - The Ottawa Senators got to Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils early and often, and then avoided what could have been an embarrassing letdown.
Jason Spezza scored 90 seconds into the game, and the Senators jumped to a 4-0 first-period lead before holding on for a 5-4 victory Thursday night in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal.
''We made it harder than it should have been,'' Senators goaltender Ray Emery said after making 26 saves to help Ottawa win its fourth straight playoff game. ''You know that team will rebound and they will not go down without a fight.''
The Devils certainly put a scare into Ottawa, drawing within 4-3 early in the second period. A shot off the goal post by Scott Gomez nearly tied the game later in the second.
''We weren't as sharp after we got the lead,'' said Senators defenceman Wade Redden, whose third-period power-play goal gave the Senators a two-goal cushion until the closing minute. ''The start of the game, we really controlled the play. We were moving it crisp and we had guys in forechecking. I guess it's human nature to sit back a bit.''
Spezza, Joe Corvo, Dean McAmmond and Dany Heatley all scored in the opening 16:39 to give Ottawa the big cushion.
''I think they were kind of watching us play,'' Corvo said. ''We were doing all the right things and we were all over them. We were scoring on basically every shot.''
Travis Zajac, Brian Gionta and Andy Greene cut the Ottawa lead to 4-3 early in the second period. Zach Parise made it 5-4 with 30 seconds left.
''It's tough to spot a team like that a four-goal lead,'' Devils centre John Madden said. ''The chances are slim you are going to win the game. But we battled back and almost pulled one off.''
New Jersey played without captain Patrik Elias, who was sidelined with the effects of a lingering cold.
Game 2 is Saturday at New Jersey.
Coming off an impressive first-round win over Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Senators came out flying in the first period and seemed intent on embarrassing Brodeur, who maybe could have stopped one of the first four goals.
''It was a like a snowball for them,'' said Brodeur, who made 21 saves. ''They just kept on touching everything and putting it in the net.''
Spezza scored on a tip-in 1:30 into the game and Corvo ripped a power-play goal off Brodeur's glove at 6:49.
Seconds after Gionta was stopped in close on a power play, McAmmond stole the puck from Devils defenceman Brian Rafalski and scored a short-handed goal. Less than two minutes later, Heatley broke into the New Jersey zone on a 2-on-1 break and fired a shot into the top of the net.
''You'd love to make these saves,'' Brodeur said. ''Some nights you do make these saves and it makes a big difference. When you don't, you pay a price for it.''
The Devils didn't help Brodeur much. Corvo scored after the Devils failed to clear the puck out of their zone on the power play. McAmmond got the gift from Rafalski, and Heatley scored with the Devils down 4-0 and pressing.
Less than a minute after Heatley scored, Zajac beat Emery in close off a nice setup by Jamie Langenbrunner to get the Devils on the board.
Gionta got the crowd back into the game early in the second period with a goal from the top of the left circle after an inept power play ended, and then Greene had them roaring with a goal from the left point at 4:59, cutting the lead to 4-3.
Gomez came close to tying the game, but it was not to be.
''I thought I missed the net,'' Gomez said. ''Someone said it either hit him in the head or the post, I wasn't sure.''
Redden restored the Senators' two-goal lead in the opening minute of the third period.
''That goal took the wind out of us a little bit,'' Devils forward Jay Pandolfo said. ''But we battled all the way to the end. We have to forget about it and get ready for Game 2 on Saturday.''
Notes: D Tom Preissing originally got credit for the Senators' first goal. Replays showed Spezza tipped in the shot. ... The crowd of 15,512 was about 3,500 shy of a sellout. ... The only other time Brodeur has given up four goals in a period in the playoffs was on April 28, 2001, in the third period of a 6-5 overtime win over Toronto.
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I find it funny that Julien has somehow managed to get fired from both the Canadiens and Devils in a relatively short period of time, and yet people are pissed at Lou for firing him. Maybe it should say something about Julien that he keeps getting fired.:thumb:
The only reason Julien got fired in Montreal is because Gainey didn't hire him and he wanted his man (Carbonneau) behind the bench. He actually stayed a lot longer than anticipated because of the team's record.
I do agree that there is something very suspicious about the firing by Lamoriello though... but I'm still hoping he crashes and burns as you don't fire a coach with such a great record, not a week before the end of the season. If Ottawa had a goalie, the Devils wouldn't have been in that game tonight. Volchenkov will have to block even more shots if the Sens hope to win!
I do agree that there is something very suspicious about the firing by Lamoriello though... but I'm still hoping he crashes and burns as you don't fire a coach with such a great record, not a week before the end of the season.
My how people have short memories. If you'll recall the Devils were actually 1st overall in the East (I think, I'm not entirely sure anymore) with 8 games left back in 2000 when he fired Robbie Ftorek, and that seemed to work out well. Not saying it'll happen again, but it has happened before. I can tell you this much though, if Julien was still the coach I think the Devils would have lost in the first round.
Anyway, I haven't watched Game 1 yet since I had to work tonight. Unfortunately I couldn't wait and found out the score before getting home. Marty giving up 4 goals in a period in the playoffs isn't something that happens very often, and I don't expect it to again in this series. Nice to see the Devils not just give up though, battling back to make it 4-3 after two periods, and then scoring to make it a one-goal game with 30 seconds left. If they can carry that play over into Game 2, I expect the series to be 1-1 going to Ottawa. Hopefully it serves as a wakeup call to the team.
Max Power
4-27-07, 9:17 AM
Anyway, I haven't watched Game 1 yet since I had to work tonight. Unfortunately I couldn't wait and found out the score before getting home. Marty giving up 4 goals in a period in the playoffs isn't something that happens very often, and I don't expect it to again in this series. Nice to see the Devils not just give up though, battling back to make it 4-3 after two periods, and then scoring to make it a one-goal game with 30 seconds left. If they can carry that play over into Game 2, I expect the series to be 1-1 going to Ottawa. Hopefully it serves as a wakeup call to the team.
Yeah Ottawa got to a quick start... too quick and it fell apart near the end of the first and the second. Devils put on some very good pressure and Ottawa seemed to not have any answers for it. I think both teams took turns at being sloppy defensively as Ottawa's best pairing in Volchenkov and Philps were the worst pairing of the night. Granted they were up against the best lines.
I definitely agree we should see better game from both defensively and I'm just happy Ottawa settled in the third and kept the lead. It would be wishful thinking Ottawa will come out on NJ 2 - 0 and I'd be happy with 1 -1 but I hope they can
I watched the first period onslaught last night and I have to say that was about the most un-New Jersey like stretch of hockey I have watched in years.
But I was surprised to check the final score later and see that Jersey kept it close. Should be a good series.
Ya I sure didn't expect Ottawa to score 4 goals in the first period against New Jersey and Marty Brodeur, but anything can happen in the playoffs. Game 2 should be different.
Max Power
4-27-07, 1:07 PM
Speaking of Ottawa D Redden had a great game last night. 25 min played and +1 with the gwg. Good defensive play with good puck movement. The nice thing to see was him taking a page out of Corvos book and deeking the blocker when shooting at the net.
Hope he can keep it up as we'll need him to step up if Volchenkov and Philips keep having problems containing NJ speedy top line.
by the way attendance from last night's game:
15,512 (81.5% full)
in round 2 of the playoffs? disgrace
charlio lemieux
4-27-07, 6:41 PM
by the way attendance from last night's game:
15,512 (81.5% full)
in round 2 of the playoffs? disgrace
Detroit wasn't sold out either. Hockeytown my @ss!
by the way attendance from last night's game:
15,512 (81.5% full)
in round 2 of the playoffs? disgrace
What? The Devils have attendance issues?
:D
KB in Kelowna
4-28-07, 2:08 AM
What? The Devils have attendance issues?
:D
Who said that? Gary Bettman?:wicked:
Attendance woes in the playoffs? Obviously Gary will have to make some rule changes for the playoffs because even though every playoff game in Canada is sold out, the more important fans of US teams aren't showing up.:rolleyes:
Time to screw over the true fans again, Gary. Maybe make icing a penalty or a rule where goalies aren't allowed to freeze the puck ever. Or phonetically spell out players' names on their jerseys, especially names like Teamoo. That might help Harry Neale as well. :D
No, Gary will look at the lower than sellout attendances in New Jersey and Detroit, fudge the numbers and spew some bull about average attendance throughout the playoffs being nearly 100%. If anyone asks him about low attendance, he will plug his ears and say, "I can't hear you, lalalalala", until the reporter goes away.
I expect Scotiabank Place to be packed to the rafters for game 3 & 4, with the only empty space being in the penalty box.
Go Sens Go. :boogie:
What a Game 2 this was,one of the best games of the playoffs(except the outcome).This game had it all and the goaltending was great.The double OT winner by Langenbrunner was an excellent deke on Emery.The Sens are something like 0-16 in Game 2 of the playoffs,a hard trend to break it seems!I thought the Sens were the better team but damn that Broduer!
The Sens got the split like expected and now head home for 2 games.A 3 game sweep here by the Sens and keep Elias,Gomez and Gionta off the board and I might have a chance at getting atleast 2nd place in my playoff pool(1st place is already wrapped up:cry: ).
Cheers
Max Power
4-30-07, 9:42 AM
Bad first period by the Sens cost them. I though Emery should have had the first two goals but he was otherwise very solid. Sens need to win both games at home because a split here would almost guarenty a game 7 which I don't like their chances with the Brodeur factor.
I think Ottawa should do well at home as they'll get the line match-ups they want.
Bad first period by the Sens cost them. I though Emery should have had the first two goals but he was otherwise very solid. Sens need to win both games at home because a split here would almost guarenty a game 7 which I don't like their chances with the Brodeur factor.
I think Ottawa should do well at home as they'll get the line match-ups they want.
Ya i have to agree. Although Brodeur hasn't been playing his best hockey lately, he knows when to step it up and it won't be easy for the Sens to win a game 7.
Madferret
4-30-07, 1:04 PM
Sens look to take series lead tonight
The Sports Network
(Sports Network) - The Ottawa Senators will try to rebound from a tough loss when they invite the New Jersey Devils to Scotiabank Place tonight for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The best-of-seven series is tied at one game apiece after the first two tests in New Jersey. Ottawa won the opener last Thursday, but the Devils charged back with a 3-2, double-overtime victory in Game 2 on Saturday.
Jamie Langenbrunner's goal 1:55 into the second OT lifted second-seeded New Jersey to the big triumph at Continental Airlines Arena.
Langenbrunner accepted a lead pass from Travis Zajac inside the Ottawa blue line, and beat three Senator pursuers on a breakaway attempt. He got to the edge of the crease before shooting, and slipped a forehand shot inside the right post for the game-winner.
Brian Gionta and Sergei Brylin also scored for the Devils, who posted the win despite blowing a lead with 26.4 seconds remaining in the third.
Martin Brodeur stopped 43 shots and improved to 5-3 in this year's playoffs and 7-8 lifetime against Ottawa in the postseason. Brodeur has solid but not great numbers in this year's playoffs, as he has posted a 2.46 goals against average and .912 save percentage in eight contests.
Dany Heatley had a goal and an assist for Ottawa, and was the man responsible for sending Saturday's test to extra time. Heatley has been excellent in this year's postseason, as he has notched four goals and five assists for a team- leading nine points.
Daniel Alfredsson also tallied for the fourth-seeded Senators, who dropped their first overtime game of this postseason. Jason Spezza picked up a pair of assists and Ray Emery made 30 saves in the loss.
New Jersey won three of its four encounters with the Sens during the regular season, although the lone setback was an 8-1 thrashing in Ottawa on October 21.
The Devils and Senators have split a pair of playoff series in their histories. Ottawa won the first encounter in six games during the 1998 conference quarterfinals, but Jersey exacted revenge with a seven-game series' victory in the 2003 conference finals.
Game 4 of this series is scheduled for Wednesday evening in Ottawa.
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Max Power
4-30-07, 3:50 PM
I just heard a story on the radio I thought I'd share. An elderly lady will be attending her second Senators game of her lifetime tonight. Her last game was in 1926
neat
Ya i have to agree. Although Brodeur hasn't been playing his best hockey lately, he knows when to step it up and it won't be easy for the Sens to win a game 7.
You mean the same Brodeur that stopped 43 of 45 shots in the double OT win? Clearly he's not playing well lately. If you throw out that horrific period in Game 1 (with more turnovers than the Devils usually have in an entire game), Marty has been very much on his game lately.
To be honest, the Sens should be up 2-0 in the series with the way they've played throughout the series. Marty is the only reason it's 1-1 heading into tonight's game. Maybe it's just my pessimism, but I've felt that Ottawa is on the verge of taking over this series, and if they win big tonight I think the series could get one-sided. I just hope the Devils keep it close and don't fall victim to the back-and-forth play that Ottawa seems to excell at.
I don't know if the Sens first goal should have counted. The replays I saw show Fisher bumped Brodeur enough to make Brodeur lose his balance; which lead to Brodeur not being set for the following shot.
The Sens would have probably won the game anyways but not on this goal.
Max Power
5-01-07, 8:26 AM
Yeah I don't blame NJ fans for being a little upset over the bump. For my Sens homerisam it could have been completely incidental and the leg bumped was out of the crease. Not only that but the ref may have though Brodeur was embellishing it to get a call.
Either way that's two games with controversy and each team got one in their favor. Move on to game 4
Last nights game was a good one. Brodeur was on fire and Emery made key saves when he was called upon. If the Devils still can't win with Marty at his best then I just can't see the Devils winning this series.
MadDevil
5-01-07, 12:23 PM
If the Devils still can't win with Marty at his best then I just can't see the Devils winning this series.
Unfortunately the Devils offense letting Marty down isn't exactly something new.:slant:
Oh well, I hope the Devils make some adjustments for Game 4 or I think the series is pretty much over. I just don't see the Sens blowing a 3-1 series lead, so Game 4 is huge (as if that isn't obvious). The Devils never quit or panic, so I'm confident they'll head back home with a 2-2 series.
I'm reasonablly confident Ottawa can put New Jersey down 3-1 if Emery can avoid any softies. That win was huge for the boys IMO and I don't think they'll let up now.
We've shown that we're the better all-around team thus far and have all but dictated the play excluding those times the boys decided to take a mid-game nap. I'd argue we deserved the win in game 2 aswell but some strong play by Brodeur, two weaker goals by Emery to start things, a first period dominated by the Devils, and bad luck with time keepers prevented that.
Emery has looked shaky this series. It's worrying me and he better get it sorted out.
Madferret
5-02-07, 5:51 PM
Emery has looked shaky this series. It's worrying me and he better get it sorted out.
Man he just got a shut-out...
lol
Man he just got a shut-out...
lol
And got bailed out by the post 2 or 3 times in the process while having his defense cover much of his rebounds. If our blueliners don't get to all those pucks first it's in the net, no question about it.
His rebounds were horrible tonight again. Emery is playing his poorest hockey this season at the worst possible time. I want to see the Rayzor from the regular season, please!
3-1 as Ottawa takes a strangle hold on the series. We're one step away from the ECF!
And got bailed out by the post 2 or 3 times in the process while having his defense cover much of his rebounds. If our blueliners don't get to all those pucks first it's in the net, no question about it.
His rebounds were horrible tonight again. Emery is playing his poorest hockey this season at the worst possible time. I want to see the Rayzor from the regular season, please!
3-1 as Ottawa takes a strangle hold on the series. We're one step away from the ECF!
I noticed that there were several shots that should have been easy stops that seemed to give Emery troubles. Fortunately for him his defense either covered his ass or the Devils just couldn't convert. The 2 goal posts the Devils hit in the first helped him as well.
Hats off to the Sens, they've done everything they've needed to do to beat the Devils. They've held their big offensive threats in check, have dictated the play for the most part, and their big line has been a force in the series. They deserve to be up 3-1, and really if it wasn't for Marty pretty much stealing Game 2 could probably have swept the series.
On another note, it must be nice to have a captain who's shown up for the playoffs. I don't know where the hell Patrik Elias has been in this series, or the playoffs in general. 1 goal in 9 games from the $7.5 million captain is just unacceptable. He does have 8 assists, but he's not being paid to set guys up. He tries to stickhandle through 3 players and make a fancy play that most often results in nothing but a turnover. I just don't know what the hell is wrong with him. Makes me wonder if they made a mistake giving him the "C".:slant:
krypt1968
5-03-07, 6:38 AM
The Devils/martin all i can say wow its gona take they 7 games now to win this serries. of course the sens will lose. they have a way of choking on a continuious basis in past playoff history even with great teams they had. i can see history repeats again.
plus the devils want the rangers and that is if they win also. they have to feed off the rangers somehow. but i think the devils will still get it done.
Max Power
5-03-07, 8:50 AM
One more win to go. I agree with manU on Emery. Although he's made some great saves he's looked shaky on many shots and has not looked as solid as the last two Pen games. Other then that the team has played very well all the way down, the entire defensive core has made little mistakes and the biggest performers have been Snes top guys in Spezza, Alfy and Heatley.
Sens will need a very big game by Emery to finish the devils off. I'd like to see a few more points from our depth guys but I'll take a win in any fashion.
The Devils/martin all i can say wow its gona take they 7 games now to win this serries. of course the sens will lose. they have a way of choking on a continuious basis in past playoff history even with great teams they had. i can see history repeats again.
plus the devils want the rangers and that is if they win also. they have to feed off the rangers somehow. but i think the devils will still get it done.
Just like they choked against the Pens
If you can't post anything relevant or coherent then save yourself the embarrassment and don’t post anything at all
...
Great game by the Sens. Now the Sens have the chance to knock out the Devils in 5.
The Devils have to play like champions tonight. I think you'll see the best from them. To borrow a quote from Jacques Lemaire...
"I don't want to worry about the next game. All I want to do is focus on one game, one period, one shift at a time"
Devils in 7 :thumb:
wildboy26
5-05-07, 10:44 PM
The SENS WIN THE SERIES!!! GAME 5 3-2 for the SENS!! CONGRATS TO THE SENS, BRING THE CUP BACK TO CANADA!
MadDevil
5-06-07, 12:52 AM
Even though it hurts to lose like this for the second straigh year, my hats off to the Sens. They outplayed the Devils for the majority of the series and when they had the lead gave the Devils a taste of their own medicine by shutting them down. The Sens just wanted it more in this series, and considering the experience on the Devils, that's saying something. They basically had their way with the Devils at times and are one dangerous team in these playoffs. While I do think Emery looked shaky at times, if he can give them solid goaltending every game, this is a team that could win it all. The better team definitely won this series.
Good luck to the Sens (and their fans) the rest of the way. You guys have a damn good team.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go back to drowning my sorrows and thinking ahead to the offseason...:(
KB in Kelowna
5-06-07, 11:24 AM
Congratulations to the Sens and their fans, seeing as they are the only Canadian team left, they just became my sentimental pick for the Cup.:thumb:
Madferret
5-06-07, 2:17 PM
Nice one Doc..
ECF!!
Emery looked better last night. If he can continue to improve against Buffalo I like our chances. Rayzor played pretty well against the Sabres this season. The whole team did. Our 5-2-1 record against the President's Trophy winning Sabres was far and away the best in the league vs them.
Ottawa owned this series and deserved to win it in 5.
Ottawa owned this series and deserved to win it in 5.
As much as I would like to dispute that, I just can't. This feels more like a sweep than a 5 game series the way the Sens controlled the play. Reminds me all too much of that ugly playoff series against the Flyers a couple years back, or the Carolina series last year. The last 3 seasons have ended in a 5 game series loss for the Devils.:(
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