Senators Ups and Downs: Week 4

A great, satisfying win against Detroit was quickly forgotten by a lacklustre game against Anaheim and a dud against San Jose. It's time to call out a few people.

Biggest Gains: Erik Karlsson

Four points in three games. It'd be tough to argue that Karlsson's performance in the game against San Jose was his best since returning from the injury. He's still not quite the player he was before getting hurt, but we're getting closer to seeing it.

Biggest Losses: Paul MacLean

Although he finally started using Zibanejad more frequently, MacLean is still putting him with Z. Smith and Chris Neil. Speaking of Z. Smith, he had the most ice time among forwards against San Jose. This makes zero sense, because Z. Smith didn't even play well. MacLean's choices are questionable lately, and it's been noted by staff here in that he's made Sens Zero in two recaps in a row - two recaps written by different people.

Goaltenders	Trend	Notes
Craig Anderson		Awful against San Jose, although was solid in the previous two.
Robin Lehner		After zero games the past week, it's time to unleash the Lehner.
Defensemen
Joe Corvo		Was back in the lineup and was more of a liability than anything else.
Jared Cowen		One great, one average, and one awful for Cowen. Needs consistency.
Eric Gryba		Undisciplined game against Anaheim led to a scratching for the San Jose game. May have been his worst game as a Senator. He wasn't on the ice for either Anaheim goal but it sure felt like it.
Erik Karlsson		With another 4 points this week, Erik Karlsson has quietly made his way back to just under a point-per-game. On pace for his second-highest point season.
Marc Methot		Getting better. Inconsistency still a problem. Might have been too much to expect a repeat of last season.
Chris Phillips		He's put up some points and has played more shorthanded minutes than some entire NHL teams. Still looks too slow for anything other than the bottom pair.
Patrick Wiercioch		A healthy scratch for two games.
Forwards
Cory Conacher		You might not notice him (he's very short), but you better believe other teams do. Screened Alex Stalock on Karlsson's San Jose goal and generally plays very annoying hockey.
Erik Condra		Had a very uncharacteristic game against San Jose where he was a defensive disaster. Had a rare point against Detroit.
Derek Grant		Did not play well against San Jose, although he was riding opposite of Erik Condra. Is getting better as an NHL pro and getting plenty of penalty killing time.
Colin Greening		*Tumbleweeds*
Matt Kassian		A healthy scratch for all three games.
Clarke MacArthur		Bill Muckalt 2.0.
Milan Michalek		*More tumbleweeds*
Chris Neil		Three minor penalties but not a liability.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau		Played one game this week and was part of the Grant and Condra line that was, to put it bluntly, bad.
Bobby Ryan		Had an excellent, excellent game against Detroit before slowly turning invisible as the week progressed.
Z. Smith		Ice time has been increasing and is playing very well alongside Mika Zibanejad.
Jason Spezza		Not as good as last week. Still managed to be a point-per-game and really showed up the former captain.
Kyle Turris		Still the most consistent centre on the team. Looked a bit weaker without Clarke MacArthur.
Mika Zibanejad		Proving the Senators' management wrong for sending him down. Set up Eric Gryba for a goal on his first shift. Let that sink in.
Management
Paul MacLean		Defending Jack Adams winner coached a masterful game against Detroit before losing all sanity.
Bryan Murray		Continues to watch inept defensive play by his team without acquiring anyone to help. M'aidez, Bryan. M'aidez.
Red Wings
Daniel Alfredsson		Justice.

Special thanks to our friend winterion at Japer's Rink for our icons!