Battles Settled?

After watching last night’s game on everyone’s favoriote channel, TSN2, I think that guy upstairs has already made his decisions. Coming into tonight’s game, Schubert was looking for a roster spot, and he didn’t earn it tonight. Carkner and Lee played, and while Carks pummelled Shawn Thornton in the fight between those two, he doesn’t seem like “the guy” I would keep full-time. He’s a mean nasty bastard, but his defensive play is still in the works and puck-moving pretty much kills it all. Brian Lee, another freakin’ quiet night for this guy. He was on the ice for about 19 minutes yesterday but still I didn’t notice him. The Sens are giving every chance for him to succeed but he hasn’t fulfilled any of them. I’m going to write a big post on Lee in a couple of days and in response to those who say “He wasn’t treated properly by the Sens”. But in my mind, Lee has to go to Bingo to refine his game.

Erik Karlsson was freakin’ amazing tonight. He made one defensive gaffe but did you see those passes? And that bullet of a shot on Thomas, wowza. He’s made the team and once paired with Filip Kuba, that’s gonna be one hell of a pairing. Chris Campoli also impressed me tonight, and it seems like he’s on a mission. He made that sweet saucer pass to Fisher and also took a huge shot on Timmy Thomas which resulted into Ryan Shannon’s goal. Pascal Leclaire made some nice saves tonight and his confidence is there. He’s movement from side to side is amazing and he makes it look easy.

Was it only me, but did Cheech look frazzled tonight. He had a good 1st period, but that’s it. He didn’t seem fast enough with Foligno and Shannon. We still have to wait for those 3 to conjure some chemistry, but it will come quick. Cheechoo is still getting used to Ottawa’s system. Again, it will come. That first line looked pretty good, especially spezza who looks really fast and his shot has improved. He’s taking more chances now and it’s working.

Back to the main topic, Regin made the team, and Schubert’s out along with Zack Smith. Carkner and Lee are likely going to Bingo while Picard sticks around. I know how some are saying a 3-3 defense combo between those who score and those who keep the puck out of the net. But that’s what we did last year, and it didn’t work. Then Smith got injured and Bell came in, and the team improve drastically. That’s why we need 4 offensvie defenseman and 2 defensive defenseman. Picard’s making the team.

After watching that game, I think this team will be fun to watch. McKenzie outlined it perfectly, if Leclaire holds up and performs well, and if the team finds it’s chemistry early in the season, they are playoff-bound.