Ups and Downs: Week 21

The play-offs are still a long shot, no better than 1-in-4 odds even from the most optimistic of models, but at least for one weeks Sens fans could do nothing but rejoice. The mood of the fanbase right now is pretty much:

Biggest gains: Andrew Hammond

As if there was any other possible choice? The Ham-God, as I like to call him, shut out the Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings on consecutive nights and then posted a stellar performance against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday to secure a third win in three games this week. Andrew Hammond's story is one of those hockey fairy tales that reminds us how much it is to be a fan sometimes.

Biggest losses: ???

Besides the injuries and the suspensions, it's hard to pick anyone for this particular title. When the team goes 3-0 in California for the first time in franchise history, I think it's fair to put the dunce cap on the shelf if only for this week.

Goaltenders	Trend	Notes
Craig Anderson		Andy missed all three games this week but is slated to back up Hammond in Minnesota before getting his first start since January against Winnipeg on Wednesday.
Robin Lehner		No timelines for Lehner's return yet.
Andrew Hammond		See: Biggest Gains
Defensemen
Mark Borowiecki		Paired (mostly) successfully with Gryba this week. Boro also stood up for his teammates by dropping the mitts against Anaheim if you're into that sort of thing
Cody Ceci		His work with Patrick Wiercioch this week finally, finally, solidifed the second pairing and was a big part of why the Senators not only won all three games this week but held their own throughout.
Jared Cowen		Cowen was suspended for his hit against Florida, then saw the team play roughly a hundred times better with him out of the line-up.
Eric Gryba		When he's not asked to do too much, Eric Gryba can be a serviceable third pairing defenseman. This week, he was that and more.
Erik Karlsson		If it wasn't for Andrew Hammond, Erik Karlsson might have taken home the Biggest Gains crown yet again. Two more points, big possession numbers, numerous spectacular plays. The king stays the king.
Marc Methot		Good week for Methot
Chris Phillips		Does he even play for this team anymore? Phillips didn't even make the trip out West.
Patrick Wiercioch		Played solid games throughout the week and though he and Ceci didn't post positive Corsi numbers, they didn't get buried despite playing some tough competition and tougher than usual zone starts. The second pairing still needs work, but it's a start.
Forwards
Alex Chiasson		No points, but solid possession numbers throughout the week. Cameron's strategy has been to get Chiasson on the ice for as many offensive zone face-offs as possible, however, so take his Corsi #s with a grain of salt.
Erik Condra		Condra potted the game-winning goal against the Ducks and continued to contribute defensively; he's been absolutely buried in the defensive end this trip by Cameron.
Mike Hoffman		Five points in three games for Hoffman, including his first power play goal of the season. He's been really, really good. Really good.
Curtis Lazar		Lazar missed the game against Los Angeles because of an illness but was good in the two games in which he played.
David Legwand		He was David Legwand. Take that for what you will.
Clarke MacArthur		Mac remains out with no time table set for his return.
Milan Michalek		Michalek came back down to earth a bit this week, notching just the one assist in three games.
Chris Neil		Had surgery on his injured thumb this week, should be back in a few weeks.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau		Pageau's been tasked with killing penalties and driving play out of the Sens' end and he's done both of those things well. His work with Erik Condra has been exemplary.
Bobby Ryan		Another good week for Ryan. Despite the faceplant after the breakaway in Anaheim, Ryan racked up two assists in three games.
Zack Smith		It sounds like we might not see Smith again this season. Get well soon!
Mark Stone		Two more points for Stone but the Turris line did struggle a bit at driving possession this week; really the only blemish.
Kyle Turris		A goal and an assist for Turris, but like Stone and Michalek before him Turris gets dinged for some mediocre possession numbers.
Mika Zibanejad		A goal and two assists for Zibby to go with some strong overall play from his line cements the up arrow. He's already matched his point total from last season.
Colin Greening		He's baaaack! Greening wasn't especially good against San Jose, in fact he took a needless penalty, but he made it back to the NHL and that's enough to get him a green arrow this week.
Matt Puempel		He's looked alright in his time with the squad but nothing too remarkable. Had a couple of chances to get his first NHL goal against San Jose.

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