Sens Lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Gerber was the starting goaltender in this game. He was given the goaltending in this game because this was a second game in two games and the coaches like to keep the workload of the goaltender less by resting him in the second game.

Once again Joseph Corvo proved to the senators killer. He assisted on the first goal for Carolina and scored the 2nd game winning goal. It just brings back the memories about his trade to Carolina and if that was necessary. After some thought i had come to the conclusion that he had to be traded. He was extremely unhappy in Ottawa. He was unhappy that the media and fans were contantly on his back for the stupid turnovers he did which negated the effect of all the good work he did in power plays. And that is only highlighted by the comments he made about the Ottawa market.

The truth about that is, that the Ottawa market is no different than any other market in Canada, where fans are knowledgeable about the game and demand accountability from their teams. 
 The reason for his trade was explained by Murray in the post-trade interview given to the media. Patrick Eaves had the separated sholder at that time, Corvo was unhappy with his stay in Ottawa and the Senators were in the middle of a bad slump where secondary scoring was missing. Murray said during the interview that his talk with Jim Rutherford involved doing something so that the senators address some of the issues that the canes were facing while the canes addressed some issues that the senators were facing. Therefore, canes parted with Stillman a veteran and a top 6 forward on any team along with Commodore a 'rugged' defenseman. Whereas senators parted with Eaves who was a 'soft' player very much like your beloved Spezza. And the Whining and complaining Corvo. Now, dont tell me that you think for a second that Murray didn't try to sign both of those players! The price is always too high for players who choose to go to the UFA way. I would have very much liked to see Stillman signed at the price he was signed by Florida. But I strongly believe that the market for free agents is overly inflated and its just a bubble waiting to get burst just like the sub-prime mortgage market. And only in that regard do i consider Murray's decision of lettling Stillman go as something that only time will prove to be right or wrong.



 
 

The Sens beat the Flyers today to reach over .500 for the first time this season.I thought the game was going to be a lot more physical. I was surprised there were no fights. I certainly expected the kind of dirty hits that Coburn threw on Vermette.
Good to see Fisher get 2 more points in this game. I like how  Winchester is a good defensive minded forward. When he actually scored, he wasn't sure if he did and took him a moment to register that.

Guess who got another point in the powerplay? Mr. Kuba! He has been the pleasant surprise through the early part of this season, which had few positives.  If he play's through most of the games this season, he'll undoutedly have a career season in number of assists. But what I don't understand is why he hasn't got a goal so far. It won't hurt if he shoots a few pucks on the net during 5 on 5 play. Also, if he ends up scoring too many points, it might actually become difficult to sign him next season because he'll be a ufa.

I think Martin Gerber will play tomorrow. If he blows up this one, then he will be sitting on the bench for an even longer period. Jason Spezza has got more raw talent than any senator player ever. While growing up his life was as well documented as that of Tavares or even Crosby. But just like any other guy who grows up living a prieveleged life and never having to fight or face adversity he lacks that edge that separates the 'talented' players from champions.

But I think he has been learning about the hard life of the nhl elite in the last 10 years or so when after having selected 2nd overall he had to develop a defensive side to his game.  Even after that questions have been raised about his desire to compete hard in every situation.

But i believe that just like any other thoughtful person he is deeply aware of his defensive drawbacks and hesitation to play a physical game and he is working on it. I thought that his fight with Markov last season was a big step forward. That fight has gone a long way in erasing the memories of the Sabres brawl in which Mr. Peters was whaling over him and Spezza was trying to run away from him. Man.....If only he had the courage that day to stand up to Peters fight him and get knocked out. He would have been a different kind of player today. Just like Biron did against Emery in the same brawl.

Also, one thing I have never understood about him is how on earth does the get injured for such long durations when he doesn't even play a physical game. You could expect a Forsberg or Fisher to get injured and end up playing under 70 games in a season, but not with Spezza.