The Fifth Liners

After their 4-3 overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks on home turf at the Canadian Tire Centre last night, the Ottawa Senators have dropped a bombshell. Today was announced that head coach, Paul MacLean has been dismissed after three seasons! So far there has been an massively negative reaction to this decision. Particularly by Senators fans who dearly loved the coach with the most impressive facial hair in the league! Winner of the Jack Adams Award in 2013 (albeit a lockout shortened season), MacLean has been highly praised for his development of Senators and has guided them to the playoffs twice in only three years, making the second round in 2013. Last season was one to forget in Ottawa as they finished 5th in Atlantic Division with a record of 37-31-14. This season there has been signs of life such as the form of new captain Erik Karlsson and the surprising goal scoring of Clarke MacArthur . Overall the Senators lie 6th in the Atlantic and 10th in the Eastern Conference where...

The Ottawa Senators are having a tough time of it recently. With each loss, that playoff spot keeps slipping away. Coming off the back of two homes losses (San Jose and Anaheim), the team needed to rekindle the same spirit that beat the Detroit Red Wings 6-1 a week ago. Current Stanley Cup holders Chicago aren't exactly having a walk in the park either. A few overtime losses means that the Blackhawks trail the Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division chase. Last night the Blackhawks welcomed the Senators to the United Center and the high scoring affair meant that for either team to take the edge, the game would require something a bit special. Step up Jonathan Toews . Last night Toews earned the right to drink for free in any tavern in Chicago. Except that one in Chicago Fire, cos it isn't real. Andrew Shaw opened the scoring early in the first to give Chicago the lead, only for Milan Michalek to restore parity with one minute left on the clock. The game stayed tigh...

It took a double overtime period to give the Ottawa Senators a vital 2 - 1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins! This result has put them truly back in the hunt. At first it appeared this would be another straight forward game for the Pens as Tyler Kennedy put them in front during the first period. But thanks to the heroics of Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson and Pittsburgh stopper Tomas Vokoun any further scoring was prevented. But with only seconds remaining of the third period, Senators Captain Daniel Alfredsson slotted the puck past Vokoun to push the game to overtime! In overtime, the first period remained scoreless due to some more excellent goal-tending and it was until mid way through the second overtime period that Colin Greening scored to earn Ottawa victory in game 3 and break Pittsburgh's hearts! It appears will not be as straight forward a series as we expect and Pens should prepare for things to get tense! Mike's edit. Just watched the game and my first questio...

By Alex Watson Craig Anderson (Ottawa Senators) Since being traded to Ottawa in 2010, Craig Anderson has proven himself to be mister consistent and this season has been no exception and as it stands Anderson currently has the highest save percentage and currently has a GAA average of 1.49. His great goaltending has put him in line for a potential Hart Trophy and has also contributed to the Senators ever improving form and they are now firmly in line for a place off spot. Pekka Rinne (Nashville Predators) Nashville’s form so far this season has been very stop- start, but the one thing that hasn’t been is the goaltending of Finland’s Pekka Rinne who currently has already registered 5 shut out victories alone this season and has prove a bright spot in the Predators season and if his form continues, they could prove to be the wildcard of the playoff race! Nikolas Backstrom (Minnesota Wild) The Wild’s fortunes are ever improving this season due to some smart acquisiti...