Senators prediction panel: Game 9
The Ottawa Senators take on the Phoenix Coyotes at Scotiabank Place. Who will come out on top? Our prediction panel weighs in.
The Ottawa Senators take on the Phoenix Coyotes at Scotiabank Place. Who will come out on top? Our prediction panel weighs in.
Phoenix Coyotes (2-2-3) at Ottawa Senators (2-5-1)
James Gordon, SenatorsExtra.com editor/Citizen hockey writer
Senators 2, Coyotes 3
Well, for the second time in a week I’m going to be the only one to pick the Senators to lose. Sure they’re desperate for a win and the Winnipeg Jets (see what I did there?) played Monday night, but I just can’t find any justifiable reason to back the home team in this spot. My one concern is the desert dogs will sit Ilya Bryzgalov, but Ottawa shooters are making everyone look like a Vezina candidate anyways.
Record: 3-5
Wayne Scanlan, Citizen columnist
Senators 3, Coyotes 2
I probably would have taken Phoenix here, if the Coyotes weren’t playing in Montreal the night before. They haven’t quite come around since returning from Europe, and maybe the Senators can win one here. I’m far from confident in them.
Record: 5-3
Exact scores predicted: 1
Ian Mendes, Sportnet.ca Senators reporter and blogger
Senators 2, Coyotes 1
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. By that definition, I’m officially insane for choosing the Sens. Don’t be surprised if I open Tuesday’s broadcast wearing a straight jacket.
Record: 4-4
Exact scores predicted: 1
Graeme Nichols, writer/editor, The Sixth Sens blog and podcast
Senators 3, Coyotes 2
Given the way that Ottawa’s been playing, my reasoning for picking Ottawa is as faulty in logic as Eugene Melnyk’s statement on the Fan 590 that “Alexei Kovalev is an enigma but in a positive way.”
Record: 6-2
Exact scores predicted: 3
Russell, host, SensUnderground podcast
Senators 2, Coyotes 1
Ok, the ‘Yotes played last night in MTL. They have to be tired, right? Maybe? Please? That combined with yet another shameful display by Ottawa on Saturday means the Sens should bounce back and take this one, but I say that with very little confidence.
Record: 4-4
Exact scores predicted: 1
Peter Raaymakers, writer/editor, Silver Seven Sens blog
Senators 4, Coyotes 3
This is getting old, I know. But I keep thinking the Senators are just waiting to get things clicking, and they might get it going any day now. It hasn’t happened yet. I don’t know how long fans will continue saying, “maybe next game…maybe next game… ” before throwing in the towel. We’ll see.
Record: 4-4
Jeremy Milks, writer/editor, Black Aces blog
Senators 4, Coyotes 2
Here we go again with another “must-win” game, but the Senators have a prime opportunity bounce back here at home. Just like last season, when you think the hammer is going to fall, these guys tend to pull out a big win. I got a hunch it’s going to be a good week in Senators land.
Record: 5-3
Exact scores predicted: 2
I’m going to have to go with James on this one, the Yotes will win this one in a war of offensive attrition, Bryzgalov will shine in nets and this low scoring affair will be quickly forgotten as the Sens fall in OT.
Just to address this:
“Just like last season, when you think the hammer is going to fall, these guys tend to pull out a big win. ”
Yeah, if I were Murray or Melnyk I wouldn’t give this team much leeway. They’ve been on a steady downward spiral since the Finals run; something has to give eventually.
Denial is a nasty place to live. The sens have some serious poison going on in the locker room.There is no way a team with so much talent can lose so many games without there being a major issue,but I can only speculate or surmise what that poison may be. Having said that, I believe that a lot of it has to do with the highest paid players not producing anywhere near what they should be to justify their salary. When this happens, the rest of the team becomes resentful, which leads to a negative attitude. add a lack of faith in their goalies to either be physically available to play, or able to save enough pucks to win a few games in a row. There must be a reason why Elliott is playing so lousy, when He has the talent to be playing so much better.We keep coming up with excuses for our sens. this happened but we still made it. that happened but we still made it. Maybe we should think about what’s happening NOW & how to fix it NOW. Changing up with new players isn’t going to fix the problem. Getting our guys to play like we did during the 11 game winning streak, will.