Intrepid Senators beat reporter takes a look at Ottawa's season thus far.

After a hearbreaking loss in last year's Eastern Conference Final, (fans will remember that the Senators were up 3-1 and managed to lose the series in 7 games) they looked to put that nightmare behind them, turn the page, and move on. 

At the halfway point of the season, the Senators are 18-5-9, for 45 points and currently holding on to the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.  Their goal differential is -6 and in their last 10 games, have played .500% hockey with a record of 5-5.  Sentator's GM, Peter Ray is hoping for an improved second half of the season.  "We, seemingly, are still trying to find our groove.  I would have liked to have gotten off to a better start this year, but we still do have 40 games left, to improve our consistency and solidify a playoff spot."  Ray went on, "This has to start with our goaltending.  Malcom Subban has fought his way to become our starter and has started 30 of our 42 games, with a record of 15-10-4, a respectable GAA of 2.76 and a save percentage of .913.  He knows that there is room for improvement and is a competitive guy, so we're hoping that he can improve his numbers somewhat.  Unfortunately Forsberg, and he would say this himself, is having a sub-par year.  Coach Gallant has said that he wants to get Anton some more starts, and hopefully that will get him going." 

We will have to see if playing Forsberg, to "get him going" is indeed the right course of action.  The Senators brought in Alexander Wennberg and Nikolaj Ehlers and both are on the top line and are the club's leading scorers with Wennberg at 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points, through 40 games and Ehlers with 16 goals and 19 assist for 35 points.  GM Ray said, "Most of our top guys are producing, however, we need Palmieri, Bunting, Ruzicka to step up their offensive game.  They know it.  Sometimes when you know it, you squeeze that stick too hard, over think the game and end up disappointing yourself.  These guys just have to get out there and play, the rest will come, we believe in them and our group."  Ray continued, "We have to tidy up our defensive game as well.  We have far too many games this year, where we find ourselves with a 2-0 lead in the first period, only to squander it.  We are learning, the hard way, that no lead is safe in this league.  The moment you take your foot off the pedal, your opposition finds a way to get back into the game.  Our group has to gain more confidence in protecting a lead.  Coach Gallant said that he is trying to stress this, on the bench and in practices."

One thing that is for sure, going to a Senators game is entertaining as you really don't know what you're going to get.  This group is a veteran group with an average age of 28.  It is this writer's opinion that the Senators inconsistency is unacceptable given the veteran presence that they have.  This isn't a young group that has to learn it's way in the CMHL.  While the Senators went deep last year, time will tell if they can do that again.  If not, then perhaps it's time to get some of their prospects out of the hinterland that is Vancouver Island and get them to the nation's capital.

Only time will tell.

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