The Ottawa Senators At The Quarter Pole – A Good Start Slowly Slipping Away
Last season I did a breakdown of the Senators after every 10 game segment. This year, with a 48 game season it seems fit to break it down into quarters, or every 12 games. Saturday’s loss to the Winnipeg Jets marked the 12 game mark of the season, and it is time to look at the 12 previous games.
Here is a quick review of each game played so far, one quarter of the way through the season already. For the detailed game recap of any game, click on the opponent’s name to see it.
| Game # | Opponent | Result | Quick Synopsis |
| 1 | @WPG | 4-1 WIN | Karlsson’s 3 point night secures the win |
| 2 | FLA | 4-0 WIN | Anderson makes 31 saves for the shutout |
| 3 | @FLA | 3-1 WIN | Phillips, Karlsson lead the way to win |
| 4 | @TBL | 6-4 LOSS | Flat effort in front of Bishop in his first start |
| 5 | PIT | 2-1 (SO) LOSS | Anderson stellar but can’t make a save in SO |
| 6 | WAS | 3-2 WIN | Life without Spezza begins with comeback win |
| 7 | MTL | 5-1 WIN | 5 Different scorers defeat Habs |
| 8 | @CAR | 1-0 LOSS | Dan Ellis shuts out Sens |
| 9 | @MTL | 2-1 LOSS | Silfverberg’s phantom goalie interference penalty |
| 10 | BUF | 4-3 WIN | Anderson allows first post-first period goals |
| 11 | CAR | 3-2 (OT) LOSS | Ward makes 45 stops to stone Sens |
| 12 | WPG | 1-0 LOSS | Montoya shuts out sleepy Senators |
Feb 03, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallacher (73) is checked by Ottawa Senators defenseman Marc Methot (3) during the second period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
BY THE NUMBERS
| GAMES | W | L | OT/SO | PTS | GF | GA | PP | PK |
| 1-12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 31 | 22 | 9/39 (23%) | 42/47 (89%) |
By my estimate it will take 56 points to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Through 12 games Ottawa is on pace for exactly 56 points.
Biggest Surprise
Marc Methot has made a smooth transition to the Senators top pairing and has picked up where Filip Kuba left off as a great foil for Karlsson, allowing the Norris Trophy winner to do what he does best, rule the ice at both ends.
Biggest Disappointment
Guillaume Latendresse came in as a free agent and the Senators expected him to be a top 6 forward. He has showed up slow and then injuries struck him and he has just 1 point in 6 games played despite playing a majority of his time with Turris and Daneil Alfredsson.
SEGMENT STARS
3. Kyle Turris – Ottawa’s leading scorer with 4 goals and 6 assists in 12 games. Has been thrust into the #1 centre role in Spezza’s absence and is still adjusting to the new assignments and being the focal point of the opposition.
2. Craig Anderson – The NHL’s first star for January, Anderson has been stellar, posting a 1.49 GAA and .950 SP in 10 games, leading to a 6-2-2 record.
1. Erik Karlsson – As good as Anderson has been, Karlsson has been that good and better in how he is playing the game at both ends of the ice. The reigning Norris trophy winner has played both ends of the ice with equal poise and ability. Leads the team in goals (5) and +/- (+5)
SYNOPSIS OF THE LAST 12 GAMES
What started out so promising with three straight wins to open the season took a drastic turn as their leading offensive player, Jason Spezza, missed the 6th game onward with an upper body injury and eventually underwent back surgery. He hopes to be back for the playoffs, but life without Spezza will not be easy, as demonstrated by the 3-1-1 record with him in the lineup and the 3-3-1 record without him. The Spezza injury means the forwards will be pressed into different lineup combinations and different roles.
The Senators schedule started with a big dose of Souteast division teams, playing 8 of their first 12 games against that “weaker” competition. They have played only 2 divisional games and have yet to play the Bruins or rival Maple Leafs.
THE 12 GAMES AHEAD
In the next 12 games, they will face stiffer competition, including the Maple Leafs 3 times and the Bruins, Sabres and Canadiens once each among their 6 divisional matcups. They will also see each Atlantic Division club once except the Islanders, who they face off against twice.
They will play 7 times on the road and 5 times at Scotiabank place.