. . .

Ottawa 5, New Jersey 4
(Ottawa leads series 1-0)

This is delayed reaction of the worst kind, but two days later I still don't know what to say about that game. Show me the person who expected Brodeur to let in four goals in the first, regardless of his struggles against TB. Now show me the person who expected the Sens to do their best to squander a four-goal lead on the Devils. Oh no, wait -- I can see that person any day in the mirror. "SENATORS!!!" often doubles as a swear word around here.

To the Senators' credit, they actually pulled out one of those cringe-inducing, "oh my god what is wrong with this team?!" games. They weren't the team who walked away from a crazy one looking dazed and disheartened, as they have too many times in the past. For all the comparisons to last year's opener against Buffalo, this was more like the games at the beginning of this season, when the Sens would build a lead and then, showing zero faith in their ability to keep it, would sit back and watch it dwindle away.

This is not that team. It's still far too early to know how this series will go, and they had some games late in the season that suggested they hadn't changed at all . . . but somehow, I feel the change. "Not the same Senators" is an oft-repeated phrase right now, and there is plenty of room to argue that we can't know that for sure, not yet. But, but.

Something about them is different. Muckler, and some media guys like Greg Millen, have called it a "business-like" attitude. I don't know what I'd call it, exactly, but I know I've felt a sweeping change in the team, slowly but surely. People point to the injuries at Christmas, and yes, that was a big step. Before that, when they halted their first horrific slide of the year against the most unlikely team in the Sabres, and the bench exploded like they'd just won an OT game in the playoffs. I think it goes back past that too. I usually attribute it to what I consider to be the new core, the young core of former B-Sens who grew up together in this organization, and are still growing. But now it doesn't seem to be a replacement or a new era as much as a comfortable merge.

Funnily enough, Alfredsson played down the importance of chemistry in the room [when talking about moves for trade deadline acquisitions], but Spezza has come back to it again and again. The room is tighter than it's ever been; they're committed to playing for one another. They're different. And I believe him. As badly as I want them to go deep this year, I will believe him no matter what happens.

Game Notes

PROS

• Jason Spezza got the call for the last faceoff of the game. Jason Spezza, who delights in his defensive responsibilities. Jason Spezza, who is an endless source of pride for me these days.
• They never gave up the lead. It's hard to type that and not burst out laughing, but it's true! They came perilously close, but they held on when it really counted. Rust, uncertainty, complacency -- whatever it was, it was a win. I constantly write "K-I-L-L-E-R I-N-S-T-I-N-C-T" in my notes as a plea/demand, and so far, they've more or less delivered.
  
• Dany Heatley has joined the team! Judging by his skating, that week off did wonders for him.
  
• Vermette continued his dominance in the faceoff circle, going 9-4 for 69%. A bright spot for a line that didn't have the best game.
  

CONS

• Volchenkov and Phillips. Jersey is not Pittsburgh. I swear, if Volchenkov is the next defenceman lost to confidence issues, I'm going to petition for a therapist on the bench.
  
• Comrie took dumb penalties, committed dumb turnovers, and had a crappy game in general. As a result, the second line was not great. I expect Comrie to come back with a good game, but Fisher and Schaefer really have to create.
  
• Emery made a few good saves, but he also let in a stinker or two. That's disappointing, because in his short history, he's played Jersey well. His injury situation is a question mark, but honestly, if he's in, he just HAS to be better. The team may be different, but they're still human. They get off their game when they're worried about goaltending. None of that, please.
• Chris Neil looked like he was skating in molasses for much of the night. Murray did keep Neil on the bench for the last five minutes (along with Saprykin and Comrie), but the Devils exposed him all game. At least speed-wise, he is the clear weak link on the third line; if I'm Murray, I seriously consider flipping someone from the fourth line to the third. The team rolls four lines anyway, so Neil's ice time would barely suffer. We'll see.
• The second unit PP still sucks. Schaefer's come off it in the playoffs and Neil's been added, but nope. With the exception of Comrie, it still sucks.
  
• The late goal in the first set the table for the mess in the second. Late goals are the devil; everyone knows this! (Er, terrible pun unintended.)
  

Last Note

I appreciated the derision in Pierre McGuire's voice last night when he noted Avery's "embellishment." Adoring the Sabres as he does, he should recognize a quality dive from a mile away.