Not that bad. They have the talent to win the eastern conference, but need secondary scoring. Goaltending is a major issue, but they also need some forwards to step up after the big three (maybe the best trio in hockey- Alfie, Heatley and Spezza). Fisher is the guy that really needs to step up.
10-12 years ago all St. Louis needed was a goaltender and they could have competed with the Detroit's, Colorado's, Dallas' and New Jerseys and they NEVER addressed the problem. Why couldn't Bryan Murray see that a few years back as well as today and fix his no.1 problem. Florida traded Luongo and then went out and traded for Voulkon. St.Louis just acquired Mason from the Preds so it CAN be done if he had the balls. Murray never ever addressed his goaltender problems when he was running Detroit either. What a sad scenario. He had them in the finals 2 years ago and that situation looks so distant today all because of his goaltender. Glad I'm not a Sens fan. It would be very frustrating.
The state of Ottawa's overall roster sure has me thinking of the TB Lightning in 2005-6 - the second season after they were in the Finals. Still had 2+ good scoring lines and in top half of league scoring, but had utterly failed to address the loss of a topranked goalie (Khabibulin).
They staggered into the playoffs and were quickly tossed while along the way they could never get much momentum going towards consistent five and ten game positive games.
They staggered into the playoffs and were quickly tossed while along the way they could never get much momentum going towards consistent five and ten game positive games.
You gotta look beyond the results. Ottawa outplayed Florida and got really unlucky against Anaheim, along with playing a really inconsistant game. They also played Pittsburgh hard both games in Sweden. Really the only games they outright did not deserve to win were Detroit (where the score was flattering for Ottawa), and Boston.
I think this is a team that will be undervalued quite a bit in the coming weeks. Hopefully they can get a few breaks and keep the pressure up.
I think this is a team that will be undervalued quite a bit in the coming weeks. Hopefully they can get a few breaks and keep the pressure up.
Toronto isn't a terrible team, and they were at home. They've also beaten Boston and Detroit this year, two good teams. Toronto is so well coached that they'll get more points then they really should this year. Wilson was a terrific pick-up and will lead this leafs team very far once they get some more talent on the roster and the young guys mature a bit. If Sundin comes back this Toronto team will likely make the playoffs.
As for Ottawa, it seems to me like they just don't play with much passion. They come out flat way more often than not. It was one of their problems last year and it seems the same way this year. Something needs to change with that team.
hno:..the money they pay this heatley clown 
uke1:
Why are people in this thread talking about Ottawa's weakness being in goal?? Correct me if I am wrong but isnt this their strength right now in top of the league in goals against? Am I missing something? They need to address seconday scoring other than the big 3 goaltending is FAR FROM the issue WTF are people talking about in here?
