Takes and trash talk from both ALL sides of the NHL's most obscure PATHETIC* rivalry

* Thanks, Kevin Lowe!

Monday, March 03, 2008

Ducks Gameday—Back so soon?

Ottawa Senators (37-23-6, t-3rd in east) at Anaheim Ducks (37-23-7, 3rd in west)

It's been nearly nine months since the Senators set foot in Anaheim, which means it's been nearly nine months since I wept tears of joy, but my grin still remains.

And while both these teams have near-identical records coming into this game, there's certainly been an odd pattern in getting there. The Ducks were a .500 team before Scott Niedermayer returned to the lineup (15-15-4), but they have amassed a 22-8-3 record ever since. The Senators, meanwhile, screamed out of the gate. They were 21-7-3 before Scott returned to the league, but have been reduced to a .500 club ever since (16-16-3). I'm not sure why the Sens have so much trouble winning in a league with two Niedermayers, but there you have it.

I spent some time today watching a few games from that SCF series; wow that was a crazy series. I mean, with Minnesota, Vancouver, and Detroit at least we had some idea of how the teams matched up, but Ottawa was a very unfamiliar foe (for nostalgia's sake, here's 10 questions about the Senators and 9 questions about the Ducks from before the finals). In the west, Pahlsson had been shutting down scoring lines all playoffs, but on the other hand the Spezza line was ripping through checking lines in the east with ease. It seemed whoever won that matchup was likely to take the series, and fortunately for me, Sammy dominated, and it wasn't really close. For Sens fans who haven't followed the Ducks since last June, the checking line is still intact; McDonald and Penner have departed, but have been replaced by Bertuzzi, Weight, Schneider, and Bergeron. It's scary, but this year's Ducks team may turn out to be better than last year's version; since Selanne's return Anaheim is 10-1, an eleven-game record that they were only able to accomplish once last year.

For more Sens-friendly coverage, check out Battle of Ontario, Scarlett Ice, Sens Army, and Five for Smiting.

I can tell you that I'm pumped for tonight's game, because I'll be in a familiar spot: sporting the lucky green shirt and sitting in the Row B seats (the same ones I had for SCF G2: Sammy 1, Sens 0). I imagine I'll be playing the part of the loud-mouthed gloater, especially once I get some liquor in me. Feel free to stop by and say hi, or catch me in the intermissions hanging with the smokers.

Prediction: The really sweet thing is, it doesn't even matter what happens tonight. If the Ducks beat the Sens tonight, then Ottawa fans will be depressed—they aren't any closer than they were last spring. If the Sens beat the Ducks tonight, then Ottawa is depressed for another reason—where was that effort last June when they really needed it? Well, I'll take Option A: Ducks 4, Senators 2. Anahiem goals by Selanne, Coach Pronger, Pahlsson, and G5 hero Chris Phillips. A frustrated Daniel Alfredsson maliciously shoots a puck at the cup banner.

Go Ducks.

28 comments:

Earl Sleek said...

Pronger is not even playing tonight. Don't even know your own team, jackass???

Don't even know your screen name, anonymous hater?

Maybe there'd be more urgency to play Pronger if the Sens could beat a Prongerless Ducks team last spring.

Bitter away, though. I'm sure enough hate mail will make me forget the silver trophy that will forever prevent our mutual happiness.

Alexey said...

oh, when my russian friends here asked me about ottawa's surging offense coming into the SCF, i simply told them: watch pahlsson eat them up. watch sammy force otw to break up the scoring line like he did detroit. watch him stifle the opposition and dominate.
and that he did. and that he did. and then some.

that's why the last few games i have been proudly wearing my brand new black #26 Pahlsson jersey straight from the NHL shop.

what are we gonna do about russian signs from your 4th row seat this time, earl? without Salei, Vish and Bryz, there are no Russians on the roster! not one! i guess we'll have to stoop to the heckling level =)))) i can do that :P

Miss. Scarlett said...

Oh, I don't know...Alfie didn't have the hat with him last year.

Bryan said...

I found it amusing how many people thought Ducks would get rolled by Ottawa in Spring. They claimed Ottawa's top line was unstoppable. Which they were against defenseless teams like Pitt and Buffalo. But not against Sammy and 2 Norris dmen. The West was so superior to the East last year, and it showed in the Finals. It appears to be that way again this year, with Ottawa playing the way they are now and only Pittsburg looking like they have a shot at the Cup. But who knows that's why they play the games. Tonight will be a lot of fun. Don't forget to boo Alfie and Neil.

RudyKelly said...

Who the hell is Chris Pronger?

Anonymous said...

Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Leafs Fans Everywhere

Miss. Scarlett said...

A frustrated Daniel Alfredsson maliciously shoots a puck at the cup banner.

You clearly didn't watch the accuracy competition at the All-Star Game.

Don't forget to boo Alfie and Neil.

Unfortunately, Neil is injured but Alfie will be there. I'm inclined to believe the booing makes him play better...I can't actually vouch for that.

Anonymous said...

Snottawa has always been the most overrated team in the East. This year is the most amusing however as every Sens fan seems to be convinced the last 48 games or so since Emery has been back (coincidentally) has been just a slump. They'll get bounced first round and given their cap will be locked up in 3 players, a defense that will be half gone in the off season, and a horrendous goaltending situation (that is likely unmovable), they will be like Tampa Bay was post-lockout. Yeah you're right, I like the Leafs, and I love the Flyers, but at least I am realistic about my teams' chances. Ducks will win this game, and likely double up.

Anonymous said...

"goals by Selanne, Coach Pronger, Pahlsson, and G5 hero Chris Phillips"

Damn thats funny. We should have to pay for this kind of entertainment.

-Mike in OC

Anonymous said...

It's been a fantastic game thus far... but maybe you can comment on some of the terrible, terrible calls that have gone against Ottawa?

If it weren't for Giggy and the boys in stripes, Ottawa would have been up by 3!

Anonymous said...

Another typical Sens fan excuse, blaming the refs.
Now cue the old "YEA WELL U MUST LIKE THE LEAFS AND AT LEAST WE MAKE THE PLAYOFFS LOL" because everyone who hates the Sens loves the leafs, clearly.

Sean Sid said...

hey. this game was an awesome one. i loved watchin it.

just wanted to let you huys know that i am the person who started theanaheimducks.blogspot.com and that i recently changed the url to ducksdestiny.blogspot.com. i have really been hopin for some more viewers and if you could fix that on here that would be great.

Anonymous said...

Another typical Sens fan excuse, blaming the refs.
Now cue the old "YEA WELL U MUST LIKE THE LEAFS AND AT LEAST WE MAKE THE PLAYOFFS LOL" because everyone who hates the Sens loves the leafs, clearly.


Because all Sens fans must hate the Leafs... You did a nice job in using crappy logic to avoid answering a question. In all honesty though, do others on this site actually believe that's how a hockey game should be called? Is that what you're used to? Because it's very different in the East...

PS - Also, do you know if the NHL is watching Giggy for pad sizes? Not saying he's doing anything wrong, just wondering. I mean, that guy looks HUGE in the net!

Alexey said...

yes, this is how playoff games are called out there in the west. anything less than a bloody mouth is often allowed to fly. that's why the crosbys are tougher in the west - no whining, pure grit.

btw, is it just me or did the number of diving and embellishment penalties decrease dramatically this season? (or maybe even last year)

oh, and i think we should introduce a {Giguere} Goalie Equipment Size Challenge Penalty. during the game you may challenge the opposing goalie's equipment size, and if it doesn't comply with standards, he gets two minutes. alternatively, if it does, you send your own delegate to the box.

it's time we started converting all those filthy Giguere's pads size speculations into {hard cash} quality PP time.

Earl Sleek said...

just wanted to let you huys know that i am the person who started theanaheimducks.blogspot.com and that i recently changed the url to ducksdestiny.blogspot.com. i have really been hopin for some more viewers and if you could fix that on here that would be great.

That has been fixed. Thanks for the heads-up!

In all honesty though, do others on this site actually believe that's how a hockey game should be called? Is that what you're used to? Because it's very different in the East...

I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific on what you think should have been called. The Ducks are notoriously a dirty team, and have been shorthanded more than any team in the league this year, so I don't know what favors you think they are getting.

Yeah, there's some skirmishes, and generally they do get called, but I think they would probably just be even-up penalties, so I'm not sure what Ottawa fans (or coaches) are whining about.

Personally, though, it was awesome to see Murray thrown out of the game--I'd never seen that in person before.

E said...

earl-

i had a dream about you last night.

i think it's an omen.

Earl Sleek said...

Was your dream about me pointing and laughing at Bryan Murray's ejection? Because that would be eerie.

I really, really wish I had an audio feed of what B. Murray said to get ejected. Not so much in that I care what he actually said, but there's few things funnier than an angry lisp.

Alexey said...

according to the news report, the exchange was as follows:

- that's a bullthit call. that's a bullthit call. that's a bullthit call.
- say it again and you're out.
- that's a bullthit call.

Miss. Scarlett said...

- that's a bullthit call. that's a bullthit call. that's a bullthit call.
- say it again and you're out.
- that's a bullthit call.


Okay, I can totally hear that going down in Murray's voice too. That sounds about right.

Is it wrong that I sort of enjoyed he got ejected? The Senators might be going down in flames but at least they're making it entertaining.

Earl Sleek said...

Oh, I think everyone should love Murray's ejection, especially with the irony that the person he was most pissed about (Perry) was one of the guys that Murray drafted.

The only thing sweeter would be if somehow the referees got Murray to cross the ice and serve two minutes in the penalty box.

Anonymous said...

I guess he wanted a call for the Duck player that got punched twice in the back of the head by Gerber. That is after all contact with the goalie (it does not matter if the goalie initiated it)

The only people who whine more than Nottawa fans it seems are the players and coach of the team.

Here is a question to the group, did this Nottawa team seem easier to beat than the one we played last season?

I am still tring to figure out why they would trade one of their top D men for a forward in an NHL where everyone covets a good D man. The fact they did it while on the top of the eastern conference and then tumbled like a stone in the standings after the trade makes me wonder more.

-Mike in OC

Earl Sleek said...

Here is a question to the group, did this Nottawa team seem easier to beat than the one we played last season?

Way easier. G5 notwitshanding, this was a relative cakewalk.

For one, Emery was a pretty good goalie last spring, whereas I guess the scouting report on Gerber is when you've got a great shot, pass it. He's way committed to the shooter.

Every game, also, it seems that Spezza & friends are increasingly frustrated by Pahlsson & Co. For whatever reason, it seems their focus strays from scoring goals really quickly, and that makes the Sens increasingly beatable.

Miss. Scarlett said...

I am still tring to figure out why they would trade one of their top D men for a forward in an NHL where everyone covets a good D man.

If you're talking about Joe Corvo, I'm going to assume that you haven't really seen him play all that much if you're going to be calling him a 'top D men'. He was the 5th guy down at best and we did get Mike Commodore in return.

Niekon said...

Oh, I think everyone should love Murray's ejection

I know I was laughing my arse off last night when I was watching all of that take place. I had never actually seen a coach from the NHL ejected before... every other sport sure, but not the NHL.
Was surprised Gerber didn't take a penalty for his little pops to the back of the head of (insert random Duck player name here)... or the stick to the gut of Pahlsson (he did get talked to it looked like though).

Anonymous said...

Sherry, I will admit I have not seen him play that much with Ottawa, I was basing it on his stats (He was 1st or 2nd in points for All Ottawa D man at the time of the trade).

I am much more impressed with what Ottawa got in return on the trade now, that is not bad for 5th D man.

-Mike in OC

Anonymous said...

Forgot how much Ottawa fans whine.

'Course, if their Euro-team played the same physical style as the Ducks (that does go over the line more often than not, so what, I thought this was hockey), their gloating would be insufferable.

Bryan said...

Aside from one call on Bertuzzi on an icing call, I didn't see any thing the refs could have called on the Ducks. Niedermayer's hit in the first was awesome. How Getzlaf didn't shoot on the first goal is beyond be. Gerber just totally effed that one up. Ottawa played like garbage til the third. But Giguere made some big saves after giving up the bad goal in the 1st, especially the one where Spezza made Beauchemin look ridiculous. Schneider had a great game, defensively.

Miss. Scarlett said...

Well, the deal also included Patrick Eaves who's never really played a full season.

(that does go over the line more often than not, so what, I thought this was hockey)

Well, I don't find it offensive so much as inaccurate since by my count we have one less Canadian on our roster than the Ducks.