Spiral

Pittsburgh 5, Ottawa 4 (SO)

There's only one word that sums up Ottawa's past three losses to Atlanta, Chicago, and Pittsburgh: Embarrassing.

Three blown third-period leads in three consecutive games. They suddenly look like the ghosts of themselves last fall when no lead was safe, and when chasing the other team's goalie was the sign that they'd go on to an absurd loss.

Honestly, it's not the losing that bothers me. It's the way the Sens have been losing. They've picked up just two out of six points that were there for the taking. Chicago and Atlanta were at least a little closer, but they were embarrassing the Penguins out of the rink last night before the implosion. It's incredible; it's disgusting.

Game Notes:

• Emery. Ray's suspension came in the middle of a stretch of games where he was all swagger; he could do no wrong. He's had good periods since then, but I haven't felt that same confidence from him since his return. He admitted to nervousness when he returned against the Sabres, and then there was another sideshow. He didn't get a lot of help last night, but he doesn't seem completely focused right now. Worrying.
• Sloppiness. Spezza is the unofficial poster boy for any perceived lack of effort from this team, but the team was, if anything, lazier without him in the lineup last night. The whole reason they were successful when he was out for weeks was because they knew it was a do-or-die situation, and they played like it. Last night, his teammates coughed up the puck left, right and centre. On a normal night, two power play goals would be great, but they had seven power play chances in the second period alone -- they could have buried the Penguins there. The lengthy, futile 5-on-3 was the lowlight. There was no killer instinct despite the previous games; no intensity when it counted. The blown lead is inexcusable against a potential playoff opponent, especially when that opponent limps out of the gate with bad penalties and invisible goaltending. It's that much worse to play careless and sloppy with a guy like Spezza out of the lineup.
  
• The shootout is still an embarrassment to the Senators. At least Vermette tried something proven this time. Heatley scored in Chicago, but no one knows how he managed that. There must be some unlikely heroes somewhere on that bench, right? Right?!
  
• If Peter Schaefer is hurt, here's the map to the press box. I'd rather have them sitting than half-heartedly playing through injury.
  
• Murray, Murray, Murray. No time-out after the Penguins started to chip away at the lead. No rotation of his power play units after they repeatedly looked stale. No adjustments to defensive pairings that have been painful for weeks now (Redden and Meszaros are so depressing). The lines are always an adventure. Etc., etc. It's tiring.
  

The burning rage has given way to "laugh or cry" territory. If the Sens have to learn the same lesson ten times this season, so be it, if they eventually do learn when it really counts. I'm . . . I won't say optimistic, but I'm calm enough about the upcoming two against Toronto. For now.

And I want Spezza back.

Last Note

In happier (or at least bittersweet) news, it was nice to see a mini-reunion when the Sens visited Chicago. It makes me happy to know that Havlat and Lalime can still count good friends amongst their ex-teammates. Lalime's time in Ottawa probably had to end when it did for everyone's sake, but it's great to see him finally playing solid hockey again.

Conversely, the mess surrounding Havlat's departure is never going to sit well with me (not from Havlat's end), but it's also good to see him making the best of the often cringe-inducing situation in Chicago. He has chances and challenges there that he didn't get in Ottawa -- top-line minutes, a leadership role -- and he's passing those tests with flying colours. I miss him in Ottawa, but I'm happy for him.

00:00

Well, that was an unintentional hiatus through the busiest week pre-playoffs! Well done, me.

The truth is, I had trouble getting my thoughts together as the trade deadline came and went. For the second year in a row, the Senators left me scratching my head. I don't agree with Pierre McGuire's assessment that they needed toughness, per se, but I felt they could have and should have gambled on a player like Gary Roberts. Instead, there's a good chance they face his new team, the Penguins, in the first round of the playoffs.

I respect and fully endorse Muckler's decision to keep this roster together; to my mind, the fantastic chemistry in the room this year is their greatest asset. So in that vein, there's no way in hell I would have paid Vermette plus a first . . . but after Muckler confirmed that the price for Roberts as of Monday night was just a first and they still passed? That's tougher to swallow.

I'm no more eager than anyone else for their depleted prospect depth to take another hit, and I know a first for an aging rental is steep. But you at least consider it when it's for someone who addresses a need, don't you? The Sens have plenty of character vets and McAmmond has been a nice addition this year, but they still lack a player who can stand up and force them to dig in when the going gets rough in the playoffs. They needed someone who's been there and done that. I love -- LOVE -- Alfie, but unless this year is magically different, he has fallen into a habit of taking everything on his own shoulders and buckling under the weight.

I also wonder about the attitude in the room after another year of this. Murray made no secret that he wanted a "message" acquisition at the deadline. Players like Alfie talked publically about getting an experienced guy. Instead, they get two depth moves for Nycholat and Saprykin, and while I'm in favour of both, it seems that the glaring need has gone unaddressed. Again. Watching Murray and the Senators try to be enthusiastic about Saprykin, I got the sense that they felt exactly the same way.

That said, a few days has mellowed my annoyance, and I'm cautiously optimistic again. The Sens go forward with the team they have, and there's no reason to believe that they can't find a way to be successful just as they are. Both goalies look strong right now (knock wood), Spezza and Heatley are on a tear, the fourth line is at worst reliable, at best dangerous, Saprykin should create some healthy competition for ice time, even Redden is . . . well. Murray and Redden have admitted there's a problem, and there have been subsequent signs of improvement.

Onwards.

Game Day

The mess with the Sabres behind them, the Sens came out post-deadline with two good wins against the Hurricanes (who are going to miss the playoffs by a mile if they don't soon show some sign that they give a damn). The Sens will spend most of their time on the road through to the end of the season, starting with a trip down memory lane tonight with Hossa and the Thrashers and continuing on Sunday against Havlat and the Blackhawks.

Day in the Life

USA Today ran a piece featuring Brian Burke's thoughts leading up to the trade deadline. My favourite sample:

I talk to Florida assistant GM Randy Sexton about Todd Bertuzzi, and he tells me "the guy we like is Perry." I offer him profanity. If you are offended by profanity, it's difficult to make a trade in the NHL. If you are going to try to rob me, at least wear a mask.

Hee. Sometimes I still wish he was in Vancouver, because it was so much fun to hear from him on a regular basis. (That, and my hatred of his Ducks makes it hard to wish him success in Anaheim . . .)

Last Note

I think I spoke too soon when I stuck up for Sportsnet. With Eklund and the Deal or No Deal models one-upping each other in uselessness, Snet's trade deadline coverage was atrocious.