Are We Surprised? (pt2)
Let’s be serious here for a minute here…
Is anyone really surprised at the outcome from last night’s game? A little disappointed sure, but I’m sure every good Sens fan out there knew that we’d lose the first game.
Sure, miracles can happen, and they sometimes do in tough situations, however they are usually backed up by a few key things, such as the oppressed side deserving said miracle. Heck I’d settle for even just wanting to get the miracle.
To be perfectly clear (1/2 why we suck, 1/2 game notes):
- The Senators wheels fell off many months ago. We only got into the playoffs this year based on out start out the gate.
- Despite gaining entry to the post season, we’ve no respect from our peers. We are seen as undeserving of our spot and I’m pretty sure I agree with the naysayers here.
- We are too many men down. Alfredsson, Fisher are the biggest, but we can now add Volchenkov (even with a full face cage he’ll start flinching at shots now) and Spezza. Yes, Spez seems to be very lack luster out there after a few hits in the 3rd period including the slew-foot.
- Spezza & Heatley are unproductive when gaining the puck. No stretch passes, no rushing the net for rebounds. Pens
overconfidence allows them to take chances and rush our guys wherever and whenever they want. Two easily killed 5on3s attest to that. - Blind passes to nobody are killing us. Bad enough that we do that in our zone giving a skilled competitor ample opportunities that they don’t need, but we’re playing scared offensively throwing the puck away. Or are we always out of position?
- Our coaching has sucked since Christmas and Murray hasn’t fixed squat. Watching last night has shown me that we need to practice fundamentals. Not cycling the puck ad naseum during a PP, but passing drills. Passing under pressure means the puck still gets to the other guy. On his stick. C’mon!
I knew before the post season began that we’d lose this series… I just want us to look like we’re trying.