End of Game: Sens win 2-1

It may be a game of inches, but this one sure stinks on a higher measure. Kinda speechless at this stage, and given that I was up for work at 5 am, and must be back to work at 5 am, I've got little left to discuss.

The Senators earned this one. They found a way to win, which we have yet to do. Let's just play one period, and get it over with. No tease beyond the first two periods. The third rightly belongs to Ottawa.

Not piling on a dead horse here, but this was ugly. Doesn't help that the Cats were called for a penalty - and a dicey one, at best - with less than four minutes to go. It's always that way. We are - based on past performance - predestined to suffer this type of face-slap. How can anyone argue it?

It was fun while the lead lasted. To the Panthers: nice 40 minutes. To the Sens: nice 20 minutes. It's that simple. More to come tomorrow.

To the faithful: a lot of work has yet to be done.

Game Night! Other than That, Not Much Else...

As we are all aware by now, Alex Auld will be starting for Ottawa, while it's been confirmed that T-Vo will be in net for Florida. FSN is going HD for those of us locked into our homes during this wintry sub-70 degree night. Anyone else stoked for the premier of Senor Matthias? No pressure.

Thanks, Five for Smiting, for the awesome graphics.

Game Day! Ottawa at Florida, 7:30 pm

- Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson may be displaying a bit of a spring in his skates tonight after signing what is expected to be a four-year, $22M contract within the next hour at the BAC. Alfie will be 39 at the completion of the contract, making it probable that he would spend his entire NHL career as a Senator, something there just isn't enough of in pro sports any longer. UPDATE: Done deal as of 1:00.

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

- New (old?) Cats defenseman Jassen Cullimore remains unavoidably stuck in Canada, presumably dealing with customs officials who are Senators fans.

- One of the Injured Bryans - McCabe, in this instance - may be practicing next week and hopes to travel with the team for the upcoming west coast trip.

- Former Cat short-timer Alex Auld will start in net for the Sens. No word yet on who will go for the Panthers, but my money's on Vokoun considering the long layoff. Yes, even after Andy's performance in Ottawa last week.

AccuScore Prediction: Panthers & Senators Even at 2.6 Goals

Four long days come to an end when the Sens attempt to enter the BAC for the second time this week. With any luck, the arena crew will have hauled out the pizza rinds and panties by gametime.

Our silicon friends from AccuScore (via SportsLine) have spoken, and projected the goal totals for both clubs will mirror each other, at 2.6.

Not sure how much credence to give this; other than for fun, relaying the results of their simulations will bring up obvious questions, such as why Shawn Matthias is listed as in the lineup, as he has been since the start of the season.

BankAtlantic Center Pimped Out, Senators To Practice in Coral Springs

I'll sure be glad when this election business is behind us, at least with respect to it's effect on the world of hockey.

On that note, looks like The Senator from Illinois has bumped the Senators from Ottawa from a scheduled practice Wednesday at the BAC. The Obama people will be using the building, apparently for a rally of some sort. Good luck with all that. Does this mean McCain will be at The Ice Palace?

I only pray that neither candidate sells out their soul by wearing the local team's sweater. Sooo transparent.

The Sens will instead use IncredibleICE in Coral Springs.

Anderson Smacks Senators, Other Notes

Florida Panthers' goaltender Craig Anderson (41 saves), left, reveals a defensive lapse before him; explains his concern to fellow Cat Karlis Skrastins (+3) in a photo from Wednesday's game in Ottawa. Asked prior to the game what his thoughts are on Sens' forward Dany Heatley, Anderson simply replied "He tasks me, and I shall have him,".

A rousing 3-1 victory on the road, topped by an effort that is increasingly becoming the norm for "Andy". Didn't see the game, caught it on NHL radio (and I'm really liking the interface they employ). I did hear "The Save" late in the third; it brought the Ottawa broadcasters out of their seats. Check the video here, and The Miami Herald's coverage here (and it's George Richards' A-Game on this one):

"In previous seasons, one could have counted on a furious comeback by the home team, bet the farm Ottawa would get two quick goals, send the game into overtime and win it there."

Yes, I would have. Indeed, I pretty well expected it last night. Good effort, good coaching, no letdown. A big moral win, and a gargantuan showstopper by Anderson, earning him Third Star of the Night honors over at Puck Daddy.

A couple of quick notes and links as well:

- Panthers' defenseman Noah Welch's unusual donation is discussed by Michael Farber at SI.com.

- Update your favorites list: James Mirtle's blog has moved, evolved, and been reborn as From The Rink (dot com). A must read each day, but you all knew that.

AccuScore Prediction: Sens Over Cats 3.3 - 2.5

Perhaps somewhat more irritating is the 21.5% chance of a blowout in favor of Ottawa.

Booth to the Sens?

From Slam! Sports:

A Florida source said one player in which the Senators were interested in acquiring in the off-season was Panthers W David Booth, but Florida GM Jacques Martin wouldn't part with him.

No shocker there, so all you JM-haters can come down from the rooftops. A piece of the Meszaros puzzle? Perhaps, because I don't see anyone more prominent being moved from Ottawa. Not for Booth.

It's Definitely Summer: Fat-Headed Sens Take More Penalties

From the "You're Not Gonna Believe This One...Ever" department, the Regina Leader-Post is reporting on a study which recently concluded that, after examining the head-size (yes, that's correct) of players from all six Canadian NHL franchises has determined the following:

"the faces of the Ottawa Senators are dead giveaways when it comes to predicting how much time players spend in the penalty box."

I hope this was taxpayer funded.

Thanks, Kukla