Sens/Canes trade

[Griff83]

Sens trade Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves for Corey Stillman and Mike Commodore.

Sens make out like bandits and this move makes them basically a lock in my mind to return to the cup finals.

[Nolan]

Not a big fan of this deal. Ottawa does get some guys with playoff experience and two guys who have won the cup before but they lose a very good young player in Eaves and a good D-man in Corvo.

[Griff83]

Not a big fan of this deal. Ottawa does get some guys with playoff experience and two guys who have won the cup before but they lose a very good young player in Eaves and a good D-man in Corvo.

This deal makes the Sens a better team before the deal and they didnt give up anything real significant in the deal. The Sens are obviously going all out and got the 2 more proven players in this deal. Theres no gurantee Eaves will ever even amount to anything seeing at this point its still alot of potential. Whenever you get the 2 best players currently in the deal its always a good trade especially when your trying to win a cup.

Stillman is prolly one of the most underrated guys in the league and Commodore is exactly the type of defencemen your going to need when you go into battle against a team like the Ducks. This deal puts the Sens as the favorites in my mind to win it all.

[Nolan]

-= original quote snipped =-



This deal makes the Sens a better team before the deal and they didnt give up anything real significant in the deal. The Sens are obviously going all out and got the 2 more proven players in this deal. Theres no gurantee Eaves will ever even amount to anything seeing at this point its still alot of potential. Whenever you get the 2 best players currently in the deal its always a good trade especially when your trying to win a cup.

Stillman is prolly one of the most underrated guys in the league and Commodore is exactly the type of defencemen your going to need when you go into battle against a team like the Ducks. This deal puts the Sens as the favorites in my mind to win it all.

Eaves isn't just potential the guy scored 20 goals last year and is only 23. He's struggled with injuries all season and really hasn't had much of a chance to make an impact this year.

Stillman is underrated but he's not that great. He isn't the type of guy that can create chances for himself like Eaves can. Commodore does add some gritt to this team and he's a guy i like but I just don't think he and Stillman are worth Eaves and Corvo.

[Griff83]

-= original quote snipped =-



Eaves isn't just potential the guy scored 20 goals last year and is only 23. He's struggled with injuries all season and really hasn't had much of a chance to make an impact this year.

Stillman is underrated but he's not that great. He isn't the type of guy that can create chances for himself like Eaves can. Commodore does add some gritt to this team and he's a guy i like but I just don't think he and Stillman are worth Eaves and Corvo.

He scored 20 goals in 2005/2006 not last season and he has a career high of 32 points. Until he can show he can play full seasons consistantly and put up 40+ pts its still alot potential. I dont understand Stillman and Commodore are the 2 best players in he deal but you dont think Carolina gave up enough? Who cares if Stillman isnt the game breaker that Eaves is, he's much better at many other things one being a proven player. he's also a guy you can play on that powerplay sometimes at the point. This deal makes them easily a better team currently and some could say favorites to win it all.

Its obvious the Sens are going all out for a championship this year and that makes sense and so does a deal where your getting back arguably the 2 best players in the deal, they also get rid of Corvo's contract that Murray had been rumoured to have been trying to ship for months and if Stillman/Commodore walk in the offseason youll have a nice amount to go after a decent UFA.

[Polansky]

Doesnt sound like youve ever seen Eaves and Corvo play Nolan.

[RoyceDa59]

This deal makes both teams noticably better. Carolina was in desperate need of a PP d-man who can skate with the puck and break the trap and Ottawa was in a need of a savy veteran forward with championship experience. Stillman will do wonders for Ottawa's already potent offense, and do remember that he was THE key contributor in both Tampa Bay and Carolina's stanley cups.

A hot goaltender is all Ottawa needs to have a real chance to win it all. Eaves gives Carolina a good young two way forward to build with for the future.

Good trade for both teams.

[Crowned]

Corvo is wildly overrated, the Sens just got a whole lot better.

[BringBackPopeye]

I'm a sens fan, and i've watched both play a lot. I'm a bit sad to see eaves leave, and he still does have potential but to say he's a better player and that he can create for himself when stillman can't is flat out wrong. He's had a fair bit of playtime next to spezza and heatley which would greatly inflate anybodys numbers. Eaves is a good player but so far he's himself to be nothing better than a good third line forward with the potential to maybe be a second liner. Corvo I'm very happy to see gone, while he did score a good bit, this guy was scary to watch play the puck in his own zone. I'm convinced he cost the team as many goals are he scored. Losing some offense from the back end, and picking up size and strength is exactly what they need.

For the last few months, the teams greatest weakness hasn't been scoring, it hasn't been goaltending, the problem is the defense. They've been letting far too many scoring chances, and this trade will hopefully fix the problem, unloading one huge defensive liability in return for somebody who can play the roll of a defensive stopper.

The team was made better for the short term, and they saved cash this year and even more over the next couple years giving them more flexibility. Losing eaves kinda sucks but I was starting to have my doubts about the kid ever reaching his potential anyways

[Mr Swagtastic]

Corvo is wildly ove , the Sens just got a whole lot better.

I agree man, The Sens have a great shot at the cup this year. Detroit looks like they are slipping and I would say that if the Avs sign Forsberg they are my dark horse team.

[timd1218]

-= original quote snipped =-



I agree man, The Sens have a great shot at the cup this year. Detroit looks like they are slipping and I would say that if the Avs sign Forsberg they are my dark horse team.

I'm still not sold on the Senators yet. They don't have a good goalie. Emery and Gerber are average.

Don't forget about the Penguins too. 6-2-2 without Sid. 99% of the hockey world thought they'd fall out of a playoff race. Instead, they are taking over the Atlantic Division.

[Griff83]

-= original quote snipped =-



I'm still not sold on the Senators yet. They don't have a good goalie. Emery and Gerber are average.

Don't forget about the Penguins too. 6-2-2 without Sid. 99% of the hockey world thought they'd fall out of a playoff race. Instead, they are taking over the Atlantic Division.

They ran over the east in last years playoffs with average goalies and if anything they are a better team this year with this trade and id argue the East has less legit challengers compared to last year when you at least had Ottawa/Buffalo as legitimant contenders.

[timd1218]

-= original quote snipped =-



They ran over the east in last years playoffs with average goalies and if anything they are a better team this year with this trade and id argue the East has less legit challengers compared to last year when you at least had Ottawa/Buffalo as legitimant contenders.

The east has more legit contenders this year than last. They made it to the East Finals last year because Emery got hot. If him or Gerber don't play well in the playoffs, they won't go far. Ottawa is relying on one of those two to play hot in the playoffs.

Philadelphia is a legit contender. They can easily play the Senators well. Philly is a physical team and that can take the Sens off their game.

The Rangers can become a legit team. They have a lot of talent and if they all get on the same page, they could look scary.

Montreal is looking pretty good. Only a few points off of Ottawa.

Pittsburgh got experience last year in the playoffs and their defense is better this season than last.

The East has plenty of contenders that could easily take Ottawa out of the playoffs.

What happens if Alfredsson, Heatly or Spezza get hurt again? They didn't look too hot when each one was out.

[Griff83]

-= original quote snipped =-



The east has more legit contenders this year than last. They made it to the East Finals last year because Emery got hot. If him or Gerber don't play well in the playoffs, they won't go far. Ottawa is relying on one of those two to play hot in the playoffs.

Philadelphia is a legit contender. They can easily play the Senators well. Philly is a physical team and that can take the Sens off their game.

The Rangers can become a legit team. They have a lot of talent and if they all get on the same page, they could look scary.

Montreal is looking pretty good. Only a few points off of Ottawa.

Pittsburgh got experience last year in the playoffs and their defense is better this season than last.

The East has plenty of contenders that could easily take Ottawa out of the playoffs.

What happens if Alfredsson, Heatly or Spezza get hurt again? They didn't look too hot when each one was out.

No the east has more paridy then it did last year but teams like Montreal, Philly, Pittsburgh are simply not on Ottawa's level and Ottawa showed this on satruday with a healthy and motivated team. Could one of those teams beat Ottawa in a series?sure but its highly unlikely. You talk about goaltending. Who the hell do any of those supposed contenders have in net (Biron? Conklin?MA Fleury?Huet?) Ya dont see any of those unproven goalies holding up in a series against the Sens.

Emery didnt get hot in the playoffs, he was playing behind a defence that gave up almost zero chances. Emery played just as he did all the second half of the year and it could be argued that the Sens have better goaltending then the #2 and #3 ranked teams in the conference. Montreal might be close to Ottawa in the standings but Ottawa has missed lots of man games to there best players and I think there game against Monteal on saturday night when they were healthy showed Montreal that the Habs arent at contender status yet.

Why would I hypothetically think what would happen if one of the big three went down with injury? How good would any team be if you lost one of your best three players. How good would Montreal be if they lost Andrei Markov? how good would Philly be if they lost Daniel Briere? How the Penquins be if they lost Gonchar? How good would NJ be if they lost Elias?

Ottawa will walk thru the East again this season especially seeing they will prolly have home ice throughout something they only had once last playoffs.

[timd1218]

-= original quote snipped =-



No the east has more paridy then it did last year but teams like Montreal, Philly, Pittsburgh are simply not on Ottawa's level and Ottawa showed this on satruday with a healthy and motivated team. Could one of those teams beat Ottawa in a series?sure but its highly unlikely. You talk about goaltending. Who the hell do any of those supposed contenders have in net (Biron? Conklin?MA Fleury?Huet?) Ya dont see any of those unproven goalies holding up in a series against the Sens.

Emery didnt get hot in the playoffs, he was playing behind a defence that gave up almost zero chances. Emery played just as he did all the second half of the year and it could be argued that the Sens have better goaltending then the #2 and #3 ranked teams in the conference. Montreal might be close to Ottawa in the standings but Ottawa has missed lots of man games to there best players and I think there game against Monteal on saturday night when they were healthy showed Montreal that the Habs arent at contender status yet.

Why would I hypothetically think what would happen if one of the big three went down with injury? How good would any team be if you lost one of your best three players. How good would Montreal be if they lost Andrei Markov? how good would Philly be if they lost Daniel Briere? How the Penquins be if they lost Gonchar? How good would NJ be if they lost Elias?

Ottawa will walk thru the East again this season especially seeing they will prolly have home ice throughout something they only had once last playoffs.

I don't see Ottawa being on this level above Montreal, Pittsburgh and Philly. Ottawa started the season on a high level. Since then, they have come back to earth.

Ottawa started out 16-3. Since then, they've gone 18-15-4(OT Loses)
Pittsburgh started out 8-10-1. Since then, they've gone 24-9-4(OT Loses)
Philly started out 11-7-1. Since then, they've gone 19-13-4.

Plus, I haven't even included New Jersey. It looks to me Ottawa did start out on a level above everyone else and since then, has fallen back to earth. And yes, you could say Ottawa has been playing hurt.

But then, look at the Pens. They've been without Fleury, Crosby, Roberts, Kennedy, Talbot and Eaton.

Emery did get hot in last seasons playoffs. He made a lot of key saves for the Sens.

You could easily hypothetically ask what they would be like without one of their big three. It's happened already and they were pretty awful when it happened. Daniel Briere is a -18 right now. I don't see him being missed too badly. The Pens are playing without Crosby right now and are 6-2-2.

[Griff83]

-= original quote snipped =-



No the east has more paridy then it did last year but teams like Montreal, Philly, Pittsburgh are simply not on Ottawa's level and Ottawa showed this on satruday with a healthy and motivated team. Could one of those teams beat Ottawa in a series?sure but its highly unlikely. You talk about goaltending. Who the hell do any of those supposed contenders have in net (Biron? Conklin?MA Fleury?Huet?) Ya dont see any of those unproven goalies holding up in a series against the Sens.

Emery didnt get hot in the playoffs, he was playing behind a defence that gave up almost zero chances. Emery played just as he did all the second half of the year and it could be argued that the Sens have better goaltending then the #2 and #3 ranked teams in the conference. Montreal might be close to Ottawa in the standings but Ottawa has missed lots of man games to there best players and I think there game against Monteal on saturday night when they were healthy showed Montreal that the Habs arent at contender status yet.

Why would I hypothetically think what would happen if one of the big three went down with injury? How good would any team be if you lost one of your best three players. How good would Montreal be if they lost Andrei Markov? how good would Philly be if they lost Daniel Briere? How the Penquins be if they lost Gonchar? How good would NJ be if they lost Elias?

Ottawa will walk thru the East again this season especially seeing they will prolly have home ice throughout something they only had once last playoffs.

I don't see Ottawa being on this level above Montreal, Pittsburgh and Philly. Ottawa started the season on a high level. Since then, they have come back to earth.

Ottawa started out 16-3. Since then, they've gone 18-15-4(OT Loses)
Pittsburgh started out 8-10-1. Since then, they've gone 24-9-4(OT Loses)
Philly started out 11-7-1. Since then, they've gone 19-13-4.

Plus, I haven't even included New Jersey. It looks to me Ottawa did start out on a level above everyone else and since then, has fallen back to earth. And yes, you could say Ottawa has been playing hurt.

But then, look at the Pens. They've been without Fleury, Crosby, Roberts, Kennedy, Talbot and Eaton.

Emery did get hot in last seasons playoffs. He made a lot of key saves for the Sens.

You could easily hypothetically ask what they would be like without one of their big three. It's happened already and they were pretty awful when it happened. Daniel Briere is a -18 right now. I don't see him being missed too badly. The Pens are playing without Crosby right now and are 6-2-2.

I certainly see Ottawa on a different level and Im not basing it on regular season wins or loss's. Wins and loss's in the regular season arent always the most important thing and all you have to do is look at the San Antonio Spurs and how they approach the regular season. Ottawa has shown time after time that when 1.)Healthy and 2.)Motivated that they are easily the best team in the eastern conference. First game was when Detroit came into Ottawa and everyone around the league was saying Detroit was the best team and treated them like some godly team and the Sens handled them quite easily and the score didnt reflect how one sided the game was. This past saturday is another were Montreal came in and got there ass's handed to them.

Ottawa has had many of there best players miss significant amounts of time with games missed and this is another reason why there record took a dip just like most teams would if you had players the same caliber as Spezza, Healtey, Volchenkov and Alfreddson missing games here and there. Of course there also going to fall back to earth, at the start of the season they were on a pace statistically that no team would hold up over the length of 82 games. All you have to do is look at Detroit and the little losing slump there going thru. All teams go thru peaks and valleys that to think the Sens would keep there early season pace all season was sorta silly.

The Pens situation is different then most cases as they lost there best player and the team stringed a nice streak together. Id bet that it would be different if all 3 of Malkin, Crosby and Gonchar were missing games in intervals like whats happened with Ottawa.

Emery has always been a decent goalie and he played well in the playoffs but saying he got hot would mean he pretty much stood on his head and thats not the case. He played well but the defence in front of him gave very few quality chances to the opposing teams.

I dont see the point in assuming what the Sens would be without one of there top 3 because when I think about the playoffs and every teams chances , I think of that team at full strength and playing its best. This means that if every team is healthy and every team is playing there best hockey I dont think theres a team in the east that can beat Ottawa in a seven game series. At this point thats all I can do is assume every team is healthy and playing there best because I cant predict the future to find out otherwise.

Take Briere off Philly and that great PP takes a nice dive.
Without Crosby Pittsburgh isnt a legit contender even though they've been on a nice little run.

Ill look at how Ottawa plays against the top teams in the league over analyzing there overall record and these are the games that stand out to me. Ive seen every team play at there top level and when is team is firing on all cylinders no one in the east can hang with Ottawa.

[timd1218]

-= original quote snipped =-



No the east has more paridy then it did last year but teams like Montreal, Philly, Pittsburgh are simply not on Ottawa's level and Ottawa showed this on satruday with a healthy and motivated team. Could one of those teams beat Ottawa in a series?sure but its highly unlikely. You talk about goaltending. Who the hell do any of those supposed contenders have in net (Biron? Conklin?MA Fleury?Huet?) Ya dont see any of those unproven goalies holding up in a series against the Sens.

Emery didnt get hot in the playoffs, he was playing behind a defence that gave up almost zero chances. Emery played just as he did all the second half of the year and it could be argued that the Sens have better goaltending then the #2 and #3 ranked teams in the conference. Montreal might be close to Ottawa in the standings but Ottawa has missed lots of man games to there best players and I think there game against Monteal on saturday night when they were healthy showed Montreal that the Habs arent at contender status yet.

Why would I hypothetically think what would happen if one of the big three went down with injury? How good would any team be if you lost one of your best three players. How good would Montreal be if they lost Andrei Markov? how good would Philly be if they lost Daniel Briere? How the Penquins be if they lost Gonchar? How good would NJ be if they lost Elias?
Ottawa will walk thru the East again this season especially seeing they will prolly have home ice throughout something they only had once last playoffs.

I don't see Ottawa being on this level above Montreal, Pittsburgh and Philly. Ottawa started the season on a high level. Since then, they have come back to earth.

Ottawa started out 16-3. Since then, they've gone 18-15-4(OT Loses)
Pittsburgh started out 8-10-1. Since then, they've gone 24-9-4(OT Loses)
Philly started out 11-7-1. Since then, they've gone 19-13-4.

Plus, I haven't even included New Jersey. It looks to me Ottawa did start out on a level above everyone else and since then, has fallen back to earth. And yes, you could say Ottawa has been playing hurt.

But then, look at the Pens. They've been without Fleury, Crosby, Roberts, Kennedy, Talbot and Eaton.

Emery did get hot in last seasons playoffs. He made a lot of key saves for the Sens.

You could easily hypothetically ask what they would be like without one of their big three. It's happened already and they were pretty awful when it happened. Daniel Briere is a -18 right now. I don't see him being missed too badly. The Pens are playing without Crosby right now and are 6-2-2.

I certainly see Ottawa on a different level and Im not basing it on regular season wins or loss's. Wins and loss's in the regular season arent always the most important thing and all you have to do is look at the San Antonio Spurs and how they approach the regular season. Ottawa has shown time after time that when 1.)Healthy and 2.)Motivated that they are easily the best team in the eastern conference. First game was when Detroit came into Ottawa and everyone around the league was saying Detroit was the best team and treated them like some godly team and the Sens handled them quite easily and the score didnt reflect how one sided the game was. This past saturday is another were Montreal came in and got there ass's handed to them.

Ottawa has had many of there best players miss significant amounts of time with games missed and this is another reason why there record took a dip just like most teams would if you had players the same caliber as Spezza, Healtey, Volchenkov and Alfreddson missing games here and there. Of course there also going to fall back to earth, at the start of the season they were on a pace statistically that no team would hold up over the length of 82 games. All you have to do is look at Detroit and the little losing slump there going thru. All teams go thru peaks and valleys that to think the Sens would keep there early season pace all season was sorta silly.

The Pens situation is different then most cases as they lost there best player and the team stringed a nice streak together. Id bet that it would be different if all 3 of Malkin, Crosby and Gonchar were missing games in intervals like whats happened with Ottawa.

Emery has always been a decent goalie and he played well in the playoffs but saying he got hot would mean he pretty much stood on his head and thats not the case. He played well but the defence in front of him gave very few quality chances to the opposing teams.

I dont see the point in assuming what the Sens would be without one of there top 3 because when I think about the playoffs and every teams chances , I think of that team at full strength and playing its best. This means that if every team is healthy and every team is playing there best hockey I dont think theres a team in the east that can beat Ottawa in a seven game series. At this point thats all I can do is assume every team is healthy and playing there best because I cant predict the future to find out otherwise.

Take Briere off Philly and that great PP takes a nice dive.
Without Crosby Pittsburgh isnt a legit contender even though they've been on a nice little run.

Ill look at how Ottawa plays against the top teams in the league over analyzing there overall record and these are the games that stand out to me. Ive seen every team play at there top level and when is team is firing on all cylinders no one in the east can hang with Ottawa.

You do have some good points. I Just think Ottawa isn't as good as they are made to be. I don't think they are on another level as other teams. They are the best in the east, I agree with that.

The Pens have missed players in intervals like the Sens. Right now, they are without Sid, Fleury, Roberts, Kennedy and Eaton. I know Roberts, Kennedy and Eaton aren't on the levels of Ottawa's, but they all play key roles for the Pens. Eaton was paired with Gonchar before he got hurt and Gonchar's defense has slipped since Eaton has been out. The team is still winning without Sid (Best offensive player), Fleury (#1 goalie) and Eaton (Best defensive D-man) . Maybe it just means the Pens have better depth than Ottawa.

I just think a team like Philly can take them because Philly is a real physical team. Last year when Ottawa went to the finals, they beat Pittsburgh, New Jersey and Buffalo. None of those teams were physical. They went and played Anaheim, a very physical team, and got it handed to them. Philly plays the same way. Get in your face style hockey. They have the team that can get Alfreddson, Heatley and Spezza off of their games. The edge I give Ottawa is their defense. Their top 4 is probably one of the best in the game.

[Griff83]

-= original quote snipped =-



You do have some good points. I Just think Ottawa isn't as good as they are made to be. I don't think they are on another level as other teams. They are the best in the east, I agree with that.

The Pens have missed players in intervals like the Sens. Right now, they are without Sid, Fleury, Roberts, Kennedy and Eaton. I know Roberts, Kennedy and Eaton aren't on the levels of Ottawa's, but they all play key roles for the Pens. Eaton was paired with Gonchar before he got hurt and Gonchar's defense has slipped since Eaton has been out. The team is still winning without Sid (Best offensive player), Fleury (#1 goalie) and Eaton (Best defensive D-man) . Maybe it just means the Pens have better depth than Ottawa.

I just think a team like Philly can take them because Philly is a real physical team. Last year when Ottawa went to the finals, they beat Pittsburgh, New Jersey and Buffalo. None of those teams were physical. They went and played Anaheim, a very physical team, and got it handed to them. Philly plays the same way. Get in your face style hockey. They have the team that can get Alfreddson, Heatley and Spezza off of their games. The edge I give Ottawa is their defense. Their top 4 is probably one of the best in the game.

I personally think when push comes to shove there is 3 "legit" contenders in Anaheim, Detroit and Ottawa and I think everyone else a level below. Ottawa might not be built to beat the Ducks but id like there chances in a series against Detroit because I like Ottawa's abilty to skate with Detroit and the Sens are the more physical team. Teams like Dallas, Philly, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Montreal are good teams, I just dont see them on those 3 teams level come playoff time.

Looks to me like the Penguins are playing more of a defensive style and our playing like there playoff hopes lie on the next little stretch. When Crosby went down with that injury the team must have known there was a good chance with him out they could miss the playoffs and they obviously stepped up and brought alot of energy. With Ottawa I dont think when there injuries hit there was the urgency to wins games as much as it was with Pittsburgh. Plus who thought they would get this kind of goaltending from the likes of Conklin or Sabourin.

Sure Philly could potentially beat the Sens but im not sold on a team that hasnt seen the playoffs as a team yet. Both Carter and Richards have just emerged and theres no proof they can step up or even players like Lupul or Umberger. If they get Forsberg id say it greatly increase's there chances, but I just cant see a team going from one of the worst teams in the NHL to going to the stanley cup finals.

[Mr Swagtastic]

I personally think when push comes to shove there is 3 "legit" contenders in Anaheim, Detroit and Ottawa and I think everyone else a level below. Ottawa might not be built to beat the Ducks but id like there chances in a series against Detroit because I like Ottawa's abilty to skate with Detroit and the Sens are the more physical team. Teams like Dallas, Philly, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Montreal are good teams, I just dont see them on those 3 teams level come playoff time.

I agree here, I mean you have Ottawa as a damn good skating team with alot of backcheckers that can score in bunches and play a physical game. People seem to forget that Mike Fisher is a damn good player and always in the right spot of breakaway goals. The guy can flat out fly and the Sens first line is just amazing the way the seem to come together and know where each is at all times is great to watch. I don't care what people say when it comes to goaltending if you can't score goals your not going to win I don't care who is in net. Look at whats happening with Calgary with regards to Mika, he's a top 5 goalie in the league but outside Iginlia there isn't anybody who is a real goal threat.

Detroit is winning simply beacuse Kenny Holland has put together a team that knows how to win and loves to do so. Our team is mixed of guys who everbody casted off as washed up or just bad. We got Kris Draper from the Jets for $1 (yes I am serious) and look what he has done for us. Also when you get guys like Zetterberg, Lidstrom and Datsuyk in the 4+ rounds then you know your scouts and coaches are doing something right. I don't think we have any bad contracts at all. I mean there are people I said would be terrible signings like Rafalski and look what he's doing he and Lidstrom are a +/- 60 with 17 goals and 85 assits for 102 points! Thats insane how many teams can say that? Both are in the top 5 for assits and points for total defensemen. Nik Lidstrom has only missed 22 games in 1,256 games ! When you get that kind of production from your top 2 defensemen you can safely say your a contender.

As far as the East I would rank it

1) Ottawa
tie 2) Montreal and Philly
4) Pittsburgh
tie 5) NJ and NY

7) the rest nothing really good.

[timd1218]

Looks to me like the Penguins are playing more of a defensive style and our playing like there playoff hopes lie on the next little stretch. When Crosby went down with that injury the team must have known there was a good chance with him out they could miss the playoffs and they obviously stepped up and brought alot of energy. With Ottawa I dont think when there injuries hit there was the urgency to wins games as much as it was with Pittsburgh. Plus who thought they would get this kind of goaltending from the likes of Conklin or Sabourin.

I completely disagree with you here. Anytime a team loses one of their best players to injuries, their urgency to win increases big time. They realize they could easily hurt themselves in the long run in regards to the playoffs. So every player steps it up.

That's where Conklin and Sabourin come into play. Once Fleury got hurt, they stepped it up because they knew the team could fall out of the playoffs if they didn't play well.

Also, the Pens aren't playing a different style of hockey since Crosby went down. If anything, looking at it now, it was great. It showed Malkin can play great hockey without Sid. It gave Pittsburgh one of the best 2nd lines in hockey today with Malone-Geno-Sykora. If this line gets broken up when Sid gets back, I will personally kick the crap out of Therrien.