Los Angeles Kings- 6, Ottawa Senators- 3
There was a moment last night when Pierre McGuire asked Cory Clouston, “So, you enjoying the West Coast?”, to which Clouston responded “Absolutely.” What the hell. No you’re not. The west coast has been nothing but evil for this team. Unless they’re spending all their time on the beach, which might seem plausible given they way they played, the Sens have no reason to be enjoying the west coast.
As it turns out, the Sens have not had a very good record in Los Angeles. So why mess with history, right? A fast goal from the Kings seemed to deflate the Sens initially, and while they seemed to be storming back and showing some fight, Los Angeles just seemed to score at the most inopportune times as far as the Sens were concerned.
Anyways, two games in California. Zero points. Let’s hope Arizona treats us better.
So here it is; the Classy, Non-Classy and Could-Have-Been-Classier.
The Classy
You know, it’s nice to see that this whole Mike Fisher thing might not be an experiment after all. I don’t know if I was alone, but I remember thinking when he got injured that perhaps this might just take the wind out of his sails, so to speak. Well, two goals last night had me thinking I was wrong. Fisher seemed to be buzzing again last night, including those two goals, and some great physical play. He absolutely crushed Drew Doughty on the side boards last night, which kind of gave me a tingle. I won’t say where.
The Co-Classy of last night’s game was Ottawa actually killing off those three penalties at the end of the 1st and into the 2nd period. I really don’t know what else to say other than it should have been a TSN Turning Point. Nevertheless, the Kings would have been kicking themselves had they not won this game, because they had ample opportunity in those 5 minutes of PP time.
Non-Classy
As I mentioned earlier, it was the inopportune timing of goals that were Non-Classy last night. The Kings’ 1st goal game so quickly into the game, I had barely settled into my fantabulous couch to watch the game. While Ottawa tied the game up, the penalty shot game just at a time when Ottawa was finally showing some life again. Even when Ottawa tied the game 3-3 in the 2nd period, Drew Doughty had to unleash a cannon to take the lead. After that, there was no looking back.
But I have to think that if some of those goals not gone in when they did (aside from the simple math), it would have been a very different game.
Could-Have-Been-Classier
Oh Brian Elliott. I hate to throw this on your shoulders. I really like you and I really think you’re going to be a great goalie for us in the future. But you have to have a few of those goals man. I mean, you’re solid. Don’t take any of this the wrong way. I’m not throwing you under a bus, and I don’t want to suggest that you should be thrown there. Even Pascal Leclaire has been here, so you’re in good company. But please be classier moving forward.
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Next up for the road-weary Sens is a game against the Hamilton Blackberries, or Phoenix Coyotes. They had an attendance level of just over 9,000 last game against the Flames, and that’s an inter-conference game! So Saturday should raise the roof, right?
This is kind of a must win for the Sens, and I hate to say it. But they really do need to come away from this road trip with some points. I do believe they’ve now lost 6 in a row on the road, and that ain’t good come point-counting time in April. Perhaps we can get Corningstone, who hails from Arizona, to give us an extra special preview of this tilt?
Stay classy, California hockey teams (including you Anaheim Ducks *shakes fist). Now I remember why I hate you.
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A weird/sloppy game from both sides. Although it was apparently early on the Kings would be too much to handle for the Sens (especially forechecking).
Elliott was fine… but didn’t seem to make the big saves when needed (except for early on in the 2nd). He didn’t have a chance on some of the goals, but the Sens still need him to make a save or two. Didn’t like the Doughty goal much.
Who called Simmonds scoring? This guy…
As always Tambs, nice review.
To stay in the hunt, the Sens absolutely have to start getting some road wins. The truculent ones are above .500 and closing in in the standings. Wins in the next two are a must – even if extra time is needed.
Ducks and Yotes are hungry teams. Will be tough.
BTW I’m referring to the truculent ones on the road.
Great call, MOP. If the Sens win one game, its probably going to be against the Ducks. Still won’t be easy though.
Sadly, the Leafs have been better lately. On the road at least.