The Toronto Maple Leafs started off their season with a loss to the Ottawa Senators and ended the rest of their home schedule with another. The only difference was, this time, the Ottawa Senators gave their hated provincial rivals a classic 8-2 ass-whooping and are closer to securing a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
However, as always the case with games involving the Battle of Ontario, the Senators' crucial victory came at a steep price as they will be without two of their key players in Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher.
Flying in with a blindside elbow to the head, Leafs forward Mark Bell caught Alfredsson in the face and he was flattened emphatically onto the ice. The captain did return for one shift early on in the second period, however, as expected, he was unable to finish off the rest of the game. The Senators are calling it an upper body injury with no certain timetable as to whether Alfredsson will be back on time for the first round of the playoffs.
As for Mike Fisher, the Sens center suffered an awkward knee injury after colliding with a Maple Leaf player at mid-ice. Some are saying that it could have been a groin strain as well but head coach Bryan Murray is expecting Fisher to be back within a week.
When asked about the extent of the casualties suffered during the battle against their provincial rivals, Bryan Murray maintained that he wasn't sure when they would be back.
"We just don't know the extent of the injuries at this point," said Murray.
"If we go a couple of rounds, yeah [Alfredsson and Fisher could come back]. Maybe if we go one round, but I don't think it will be right away. [Alfredsson and Fisher] are both out for some time."
The setbacks come at a time when Ottawa have witnessed a landslide in results after starting off their season 14 games undefeated. For a team that made it all the way to the Stanley Cup final last year against the Anaheim Ducks, Bryan Murray has a long way to go to restore stability to a club that seems to have lost their swagger and confidence.
The situation of Ray Emery certainly didn't do them any favors as well earlier on in the year. It led to first-year head coach John Paddock's dismissal and has fueled goaltending controversy between him and Martin Gerber for the number one job between the pipes for the Ottawa Senators.
After being told to "beat it" by Paddock, Emery was sent home for his care-free attitude towards practice workouts. The speculation only began to increase about Emery's future with the club and the Senators began their spiral downwards in the Eastern Conference standings.
Battling a wrist injury for a part of the year, the immature Emery now finds himself riding the bench despite leading the same club to the Stanley Cup finals this time last year. Whether Gerber can realistically handle the pressures of being a day-in, day-out goaltender remains to be seen. Until Emery can sort out his arrogance, the goaltending situation will remain seemingly unchanged.
With all things considered, the Sens find themselves in sixth spot as of tonight's result after entering the All-Star break with one of the best records in the East. The off-ice distractions and lack of confidence has the hockey world wondering: Do the Ottawa Senators of 2008 have what it takes to legitimately win the Stanley Cup?
14 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
"...secured a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference standings."
No, they need 95 pts to secure, and they now have 94.
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=StandingsPage&type=CON
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Miah D. about 1 year ago
that hit on alfredsson was dangerous ...
here, we'll see the real caracter of the Sens . if they make it to the playoff, they may realize it is now or never and will get back on track for good.
really, i d rather see the sens than the caps. no caps allowed, please.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Wah Wah Wah
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
That was a clean hit all day long. I think they go over skating with your head up in pee wee...
Regardless, the Sens don't have the jam to get out of the first round. They will be lucky to win a game with this group.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Can they cope without Alfreddson and Fisher??!! They couldn't cope with them! They are gutless. If they get in the dance, they will be out in 4.
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Tim Parent about 1 year ago
It was a clean hit in my mind. Alfredsson should have kept his head up.
And to answer the question you pose in your headline ... no.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Clean hit for sure, but the leafs faithful in attendance showed themselves to be the most classless fans in the league when they cheered the injury. Disgraceful.
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Zachary Sheldon about 1 year ago
Yeah, there's nothing that disgusts me more then fans cheering on an injury. Due to their recent falll from grace though I have a tough time seeing Ottawa going anywhere in the playoffs this year.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
A totally clean hit. It's the NHL boys. Keep your head up, especially when criss-crossing the ice in the danger area. Yes Bell's arm moved but it was right after the hit. At the time of impact it was down and the hit was clean. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b59LxkvpW8Y
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Tim Yu about 1 year ago
You're right it was a clean hit but I think Bell didn't have to follow through on his hit like he did. It was Alfie's fault that he didn't keep his head up but Bell didn't exactly do him any favors.
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Tim Parent about 1 year ago
Ottawa's lesson: Keep your head up when you're on the way down.
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Mark Keilty about 1 year ago
Bro, the question should be: 'Can the Senators cope with Emery or that 'other guy' in net?
The hit was clean.
Maybe Alfy was checking to see where he threw - 'Sundin's Mock Broken Stick' into the crowd at the ACC.
What 'comes around..goes around Alfy'.. don't ever make fun of another teams captain..especially in their own rink.
In Sweden..they may forget...in Canada..we put you on the 'radar screen' ..whether it is for one year or ten years.
Just like what is going to happen to the Leafs...it is time to 'blow-up' the Senators and start from 'ground zero'...I would trade Alfredsson for Luongo and start from there..okay you may have to throw in a couple of rolls of tape and next months subscription to Playboy magazine!
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Harold Keyser about 1 year ago
As it stands right now they will draw either Pittsburgh or Montreal in the 1st round of the playoffs. Now Gerber has not played poorly, and with Heatly and Spezza, as well as thier defense the Sens can still be dangerous. That being said Ottawa almost had one of the worst collapses in hockey history. Another week of games and they would be on the outside looking in. They really need to pull thier heads outta thier rear end if they are going to have any chance. Opponent wise, the Penguins are finally healthy and look to be very dangerous in the playoffs. I'm sure they would love to get some revenge for last season and send Ottawa home early. Montreal is battling thier own injuries, as well as the flu bug. Still two canadian teams meeting in the 1st round would be a fun matchup, but again Ottawa will have to find thier heads & thier hearts to win the series. My picks are Montreal in 6, or Pittsburgh in 5.
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Chris Bouthillier about 1 year ago
It's a hit within the rules, but only a hit that a gutless coward (Mark Bell) makes. This guys go no respect for anyone, and he knew his season was over. This is just Mark Bell trying to vent some of his anger of not reaching his potential and turning into a washup, even at such a young age.
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