Colorado Avalanche- 4, Ottawa Senators- 3
Kind of a predictable game and result from the Avalanche and Senators last night. Craig Anderson had another strong performance (it’s becoming routine this year), the Senators finished the game off strong despite some weak play early on, and breaking out of their own end proved to be difficult for the Senators (as it has all season long). Colorado’s speed was difficult for the Senators to handle and the young Avalanche kids were certainly a factor all game long. It was nice to see Alex Kovalev (or Koastalev as he’s known to our classier readers) driving the net and Ryan Shannon showing some strong play Senators fans got used to towards the end of last season. It should be noted Nick Foligno returned after missing seven games and Erik Karlsson was a healthy scatch for the third straight game.
Here’s the Classy, Non-Classy, and Could-Have-Been-Classier moments of last night’s Avalanche-Senators game.
The Classy
Hey, what’s up with Ryan Shannon lately? He’s like… scoring. Weird. Shannon now has four goals in his last three games and he came through with some big goals for the Senators last night. Yes the first goal went off Kyle Cuminskey’s skate, but his second goal was a great shot and came at a critical time in the game. I found Shannon’s positioning excellent all game. He’s finding dead area’s in the offensive zone and is moving his feet well. When he’s on his game, he reminds me of a less (much less) physical Mike Fisher. When he’s not on his game… I don’t notice him. Like Jonathan Cheechoo or Alex Kovalev (wow, two low blows!). For Shannon’s sake (and the Senators), I hope he can continue this kind of play. His improved play has really helped this team since Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson went down with serious injuries.
Non-Classy
The sum of Pascal Leclaire’s rebounds and the Ottawa Senators defencemen (and forwards)’s inability to clear Leclaire’s rebounds makes last night’s Non-Classy mention. I lost track of how many routine shots became high risk rebounds… and three of those rebounds turned into Avalanche goals. To Leclaire’s credit, he didn’t have much chance on those goals, but the defence was suspect to say the least. The Senators defencemen were simply out of position or standing around on each of those three goals. Ryan O’Reilly’s game winning goal was a great example of Jonathan Cheechoo not paying attention. Chris Kelly did a great job to hustle back into the play (and nearly caught Darcy Tucker), but it was the third trailing man (O’Reilly) that Cheechoo needed to pick up. He didn’t and the Sens lost because of it. As far as the Matt Duchene goal, I’m sure it’s one Leclaire would like to have back (on a side note: that was a bullet of a shot from Duchene).
Could-Have-Been-Classier
Maybe this is a small thing I’m giving too much attention to, but did anyone else notice Adam Foote dropping to his knees more often than a Tiger Woods transgressioner? It seemed like his default “defensive positioning” to drop down on his knees to take away shots and passes each time the Senators had decent in-zone pressure. However, in doing so, he was leaving just enough room for the super Senators puck handlers to deke around. Don’t worry Adam, Cheechoo, Shannon, and Kovalev thank you. Call it a late Christmas gift or something, but only Shannon could cash in.
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Up next for the Senators is a game tonight against John Tavares and the New York Islanders. The Islanders are 5-5 in their last 10 games and are coming off a home shootout win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. I’m sure many broadcasters will be all over the fact that a year ago today at Scotiabank Place, Tavares had the huge hat-trick performance against the United States in that epic World Junior Canada/US battle. Prediction: the billing will read “Can Tavares do it again?” or something to that extent. I predict the Senators to win the game with Brian Elliott in goal.
Please note we won’t be providing thought’s from the Islanders/Senators game as our complete and undivided attention will be on the World Junior showdown between Canada and the United States. And as well, we’ll be “recovering” from various pool parties. That said, you can expect a full Winter Classic review on the evening of New Years Day.
Happy New Years Eve, classy readers.
Stay classy, Ottawa Senators.
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The one game a year between my two favourite teams and I miss it by flying away from Ottawa. Then my DVR set to record it doesn’t work. Figures.
Foote’s default move is to take shots away. At one point this year Colorado had 3 of the top 11 blocked shot leaders in the NHL. Despite it being their biggest money sink, the defence is pretty weak.
Duchene can move, though, can’t he? That kid is a blast to watch live. I hope to see him again this year.
The Sens looked flat at times last night, and some poor defensive coverage and bad rebound control were the difference. Sens could’ve had had that one. Thankfully someone has stepped up, and it’s about time. Shannon has the hot hand so should be in the top 6. Michalek needs to snap out of the slump – we need more consistency from him. Hopefully he doesn’t slack to save mojo for the Olympics.
I’ll say the Sens by a goal tonight unless Roloson decides to have one of his 50 save performances.
Tough call in a back to back on how the team will show – flat or with gusto.
The odds are in the Sens favour but the officials may have a say as well …
Flat at times for sure! We need to see a few more players to step up the plate, Koastalev needs to earn that $5M, Michalek has been in a little bit of a funk, and needs to snap out of it, and Fisher needs to get Carrie off of his mind, and focus on putting that puck on the net.
I’m calling this one to the Sens, I just hope the D shows up tonight.
Koastalev isn’t going to improve, I’ve officially given up. The Sens played horrible for the first 40 mins last night, at least we showed some push in the third. Loving Shannon’s game so far, and we need the scoring machine Fisher back
Yep, I’ve given up to. Anything he does now is considered bonus or something. Part of Fishers success is Kovalev and the attention he gets from other defencemen. I think other teams are starting to figure that out a bit. And with Spezza/Alfredsson out, it makes their jobs a whole lot easier.
That’s two reviews in a row you’ve tossed in a Tiger bashing…Just saying. I laughed both times, but just saying.
Good review as always Papa B.
@Burgundy: I think with Fisher, he’s just doing everything he always did with a lot more confidence and that’s why its working. He makes Koastalev look better (or semi decent at least) and not the other way around. I don’t understand why people credit him for Fish’s success. But then again I feel guilty when I praise Koastalev so my opinion might be a little biased lol
Well, at the beginning of the year, Fisher really did benefit from a bit of extra ice because there was focus on Kovalev. Now everyone’s figured out Fisher is the key to that line and have started taking away his space. Of course, the the extra space isn’t helping Kovalev produce at all. God I dislike Koastalev.
Happy New Years!