Imagine if the Buffalo Sabres best offensive player was out of the lineup for possibly the rest of the regular season. Actually let's not because I don't want to think what the Sabres record would be without Thomas Vanek.
The Ottawa Senators are dealing with that nightmare and its left their offense in a deep freeze. Jason Spezza tried to play through back pain but couldn't make it past the fifth game of the season. He underwent surgery on a herniated disc and he might not return until the playoffs. That is if the Senators can make the playoffs, without a player who has averaged just over a point a game in his NHL career.
Spezza has 621 points in 611 regular season games. In four of the last six seasons, he topped the 30 goal mark. Spezza scored at least 20 goals in the other two seasons.
Ottawa actually won their first two games after Spezza left the lineup and scored eight goals while beating Washington and Montreal. Maybe reality set in at that point because the Senators have managed just seven goals in the last five games while recording a 1-3-1 record.
Four of those seven goals came in the victory over the Sabres at Scotia Bank Place last week. Before that came a 1-0 loss at Carolina and a 2-1 defeat at Montreal. After the offensive explosion against the Sabres, Ottawa suffered a 3-2 overtime setback to the Hurricanes and were shutout for the second time in five games, losing 1-0 to Winnipeg this past Saturday.
Ottawa has scored just five even strength goals over the last five games with three coming against the Sabres. The power play has hit the skids as well going 2 for the last 15 chances.
A couple of players will need to thaw out and fast. Milan Michalek hasn't scored a goal in his last six games and has only two on the season. Michalek scored 35 last season.
Kyle Turris was a pleasant surprise last season, with 12 goals in 49 games, and was one of key factors in the Senators surprising run to a playoff spot. Turris has gone eight games without a goal.
There's a good chance Daniel Alfredsson will register a goal tonight. When Alfredsson scored against the Sabres last week, it was his 43rd career goal in 87 games against the Blue and Gold. It moved the Senators captain past Jaromir Jagr and into first place all time for most career goals scored against the Sabres.
If they're struggling what would you call the Sabres situation. It's. time to take the "A " off Stafford. But Lindys afraid of Stafford who is a locker room cancer much like Leino. He pouts when he's not with certain playersplus Lindy knows Stafford has Pegulas ear since Petulat built a house near Stafford so his kid can be near his favorite player. This team is a mess. I wish Bucky would expose this in the News.
02/12/2013 6:45AM
headline should have read
Struggling Sabres face struggling Senators. This is the Sabres. They are a bad team. Anybody can beat this team. The Rochester Americans can beat this team. Actually I believe the Sabres can be alot better than they are. They just need a new coach. Pretty simple solution,but the powers that be seem to have a difficult time accepting that and until they do it we will be seeing the same thing over and over. It's been going on for 15 years.
02/12/2013 7:38AM
tom renney
tom renney
02/12/2013 8:22AM
Correct this title
Sens face struggling Sabres defense. Enough said.
02/12/2013 8:56AM
Don't you mean: Ottawa facing pathetic Sabres' defence?
How is it that Paul Hamilton, Jeremy White, and Howard Simon chat about Myers coming back into the lineup and asking each other "who's coming out" WITHOUT any comments about how bad Andre Sekera is at defence?????? Unbelievable! I sat there at the game Sunday and said to my friend: "you watch, not one word about the backhand that Sekera put RIGHT ONTO the Bruins player's stick in the third." As my brother put it early last season: "There is nothing more I can say about Andre Sekera. I have run out of negative things to say about him, he is just that bad." Yet, not one of you guys this morning even MENTIONED sitting this useless person????????
02/12/2013 9:28AM
Lineup
Thats a good idea Ruff keep messing with the lineup that always helps shuffling guys in and out and changing lines. You wouldn't want anyone getting used to the guys they are playing with. Either Myers is good enough to play or hes not which is it?? This coach is a joke.
02/12/2013 11:36AM
We are the cure
Senators getting the Sabres at the right time. Fifty shots and seven goals tonight will reignite theyre offense.
02/12/2013 12:42PM
It should read :
The struggling Sabres are playing the struggling Senators which already beat the Sabres in their first meeting. Also the Sabres reason for existence is to win a stanley cup in 10 yrs.
02/12/2013 1:05PM
Ruff segment
Sucked again! Why are you so soft with your questions Howard? A good question to ask Lindy: Have you ever thought about resigning? That is being tough Howard. Here is my answer who I'd sit out since Myers is returning to the lineup. SEKERA.
02/12/2013 2:52PM
Drafting centers
This is why the Sabres should be drafting more centers. Other than last year how many high picks went to drafting centers over the years? Pick enough and hope one or two develop into a true top line guy; it's hard win the Cup without them. Also, centers can switch to the wing but not vise versa
02/12/2013 4:56PM
ALFIE OWNS WALMART and MR SOFTEE!!!
Man Howard! It's about time, First Kassian now ALFIE! You really are reading my posts!
WALMART- ALFIES FAVORITE STORE!!!!
FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE EVER!!!! EH!!??
02/12/2013 4:58PM
Hey Howard, Don't forget Karlsson....
...TAKEN LONG AFTER WALMART DRAFTED TAYLOR MYERS!!!
Extensions please!!!
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