Ottawa Senators: Can't We All Just Get Along?

Sometimes, when the going gets tough, the fingers get to pointing.

That was certainly the case after the Sens' 3-2 OT loss to Washington, when Ottowa Head Coach Cory Clouston chose to point the finger of blame at the team's lone bright spot, goalie Pascal Leclaire. The fact he did this, rather than direct derision at the team's lack of scoring or season-long "O-fer" power-play streak, left many in the media and fan forums scratching their heads.

Without the strong performance of Leclaire, the Sens would be not just winless, but downright thrashed in every game of the season. They've been so bad; a 5-1 loss to the Leafs was flattering, and a credit to the great play of Leclaire. If anything, you'd think Leclaire would have earned a pass from Clouston, but instead he earned his wrath. Let's be fair, being scored on by Ovechkin is hardly rare for an NHL goaltender. 

I'm still wondering why Ovechkin was able to get a shot off when being "covered" by Phillips, the Sens' "shut down" D-man. I won't even mention the fact the Caps' Alexander Semin was left completely alone in the slot.

But the fact of the matter is, weak goal or not, most fans were happy for the lone point. Sure, a win would have been far better, but a loser point certainly beats the rotten goose egg served up every other game this season. It has to be noted that the Sens played their best game thus far.  It wasn't a thing of beauty, but compared to the absolute gong shows of the previous games, it was an improvement if nothing else.

Now, of course, it's turned into the "goaltender controversy."  Will Leclaire get another start Thursday night at home, as one would expect of a No. 1, when a team is in need of a win? Or will it be Brian Elliott, the player many believe to be Clouston's boy?

A strong case could be made for either.

Leclaire, who has kept the Sens in games, no doubt has earned the right to keep getting the starts. But what would it say about Clouston's observations after the Washington game? That he was wrong? That he was misunderstood? 

Elliott, a goaltender expected to get at least 30 starts this year, has not played yet this season, and no doubt is due for a start. Nobody would blink if he got the start against Carolina. Check that, nobody would have blinked. You see, now that Clouston has stirred the pot, even what would have previously been viewed as a non-issue, suddenly becomes one.

Not only has Clouston erroneously asked Leclaire to shoulder the blame for the team's 3-2 loss, but he's also fanned the flames of an issue that, prior to his statements, wasn't one. In fact, he turned a bright spot, into a spotlight.

But winning solves everything.

Clouston better hope for some wins, and soon.