Ottawa Senators +122
[Unit and a half play]
When you look at these teams one thing stands out. They are very equal throughout. Tonight Owen Nolan will not be in the lineup and both Mats Sundin and Joe Nieuwendyk are game time decisions. Even if they suit up you can be assured they are not 100%
After two straight shutouts Ed Belfour was solved by the Senators to the tune of four goals. The Leafs took a one goal lead and looked to be heading to a third straight shut out and a commanding 3 to 1 series advantage.
But Ottawa continued to do what they have done all series long. Throw as many shots at the Toronto net as possible. In every game they have clearly out shot the Leafs and have tallied a cumulative 134-84 edge. The difference between this last 4-1 Ottawa victory and the two previous 2-0 loses was they not only threw the puck at Belfour but some bodies as well and took away his sight lines. It’s hard to stop what you can’t see untill it rests behond you.
With the team leader and another center hurting and possibly not on the bench I look for Ottawa to continue to put the shots on the net. Camp players in front of Belfour and, (the only knock on this team coming into the playoffs), continue to show the NHL that the Senators can play physical with the best of them.
NHL single unit plays………101-77-8.…..+ 24.15
Unit and a half plays………..16-7-1.…… + 12.81
NHL total to Date…………...117-84-9.……+ 36.96
[Unit and a half play]
When you look at these teams one thing stands out. They are very equal throughout. Tonight Owen Nolan will not be in the lineup and both Mats Sundin and Joe Nieuwendyk are game time decisions. Even if they suit up you can be assured they are not 100%
After two straight shutouts Ed Belfour was solved by the Senators to the tune of four goals. The Leafs took a one goal lead and looked to be heading to a third straight shut out and a commanding 3 to 1 series advantage.
But Ottawa continued to do what they have done all series long. Throw as many shots at the Toronto net as possible. In every game they have clearly out shot the Leafs and have tallied a cumulative 134-84 edge. The difference between this last 4-1 Ottawa victory and the two previous 2-0 loses was they not only threw the puck at Belfour but some bodies as well and took away his sight lines. It’s hard to stop what you can’t see untill it rests behond you.
With the team leader and another center hurting and possibly not on the bench I look for Ottawa to continue to put the shots on the net. Camp players in front of Belfour and, (the only knock on this team coming into the playoffs), continue to show the NHL that the Senators can play physical with the best of them.
NHL single unit plays………101-77-8.…..+ 24.15
Unit and a half plays………..16-7-1.…… + 12.81
NHL total to Date…………...117-84-9.……+ 36.96
