May 5, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) celebrates with centre Mika Zibanejad (93) his goal scored against the Montreal Canadiens in the third period in game three of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Scotiabank Place. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

1.  Mika Zibanejad

The centre has been pointless and a -4 in 5 games this series.  The return of Jason Spezza was supposed to take some of the pressure off the young forward, but he has been overmatched at centre against the Penguins.

2.  Jakob Silfverberg

The “other” Swedish rookie has struggled almost as much as his countryman has.  Silfverberg has only 1 assist in the series and is a -3.

3.  Zack Smith

The centre recently turned winger has been ineffective in his stint on the wing.  He has one point and is only -1 this series, but his key attribute – his physical presence – has been lacking.

Heading into the series, I said that the pair of Swedes should be broken up, and that Zibanejad would be better off playing the wing. Well, I was half wrong.  As it turns out, they have been terrible, and almost invisible since they were split up.  If the morning skate was any indication, the duo will be reunited for game 5, hopefully to get them back on track, because Ottawa needs all hands on deck to beat the Penguins, and their performance thus far has been disappointing. The third of the struggling trifecta,  Smith,  has been added to their wing (apparently) although playing Smith up the middle and Zibanejad on the wing would be a much better fit.

Either the threesome are going to blend together nicely and have a great game, or….you don’t want want me to finish that sentence.

May 5, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Jakob Silfverberg (33) celebrates with centre Mika Zibanejad (93) his goal scored against the Montreal Canadiens in the third period in game three of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Scotiabank Place. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

After playing a solid series against the Canadiens in round 1, the rookie Swedish duo has been invisible in round 2, unless you count camera shots after Penguins goals.  Through 2 games, neither has put up a point, and are a combined -6 with only 7 shots on goal between them. They only saw 10 minutes of action on Friday night, meaning the coach also has the same expectations that are not being met.

It is a lot to place on a pair of rookies, but if the Senators are going to get back into the series.  Perhaps splitting them up and moving Zibanejad to the wing where he doesn’t have so much responsibility will take some of the load off his shoulders.  In fact as I write this, if this morning’s skate is any indication, the Senators will indeed be splitting them up for tonight’s game.  Silfverberg will be playing with Kyle Turris and Daniel Alfredsson, while Zibanejad moves to the third line to play with Zack Smith and Chris Neil. Cory Conacher will play the wing alongside the returning Spezza and Milan Michalek.

Perhaps the best line this series has been the 4th line of  Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Colin Greening and Erik Condra.  When your 4th line is your best line offensively, you are in trouble most of the time, and that is where the Senators find themselves now.

Maybe the shakeup and the return of Spezza will be the tonic to cure what ails the Senators and they can get in the win column in this series.

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