Ups and Downs: Week 23

Hello lads and lasses, it's the St. Patty's Day Eve edition of Ups and Downs! In the last week, the Senators went 3-1-0, which would feel better if the Sens hadn't got their only loss against the Bruins they're chasing in the standings.

Biggest gains: Andrew Hammond

Hammond won all three of his starts this week. Call it the luck o' the Irish, but he can do no wrong. Cameron looked to have returned to his starter Anderson after starting him two games in a row, but returned to Hammond this week for the three wins. Hammond even started both in a back-to-back against two of the top teams in the East in the Islanders and the Canadiens.

Biggest losses: Alex Chiasson

Got an assist, but played under 9 minutes each game this week. At this point, Chiasson doesn't really have a spot on the team. Against Boston, Puempel was taking his spot late in the game. Chiasson hardly plays on the PK or the PP anymore. Based on his dwindling ice time, I don't see how he figures into Ottawa's long-term plans. Easily the most expendable RFA this summer.

Goaltenders	Trend	Notes
Craig Anderson		Didn't help, didn't harm the Sens in his one appearance this week. Looks to have lost his gig to Hammond for the near future.
Andrew Hammond		See Biggest Gains
Robin Lehner		Heal swiftly, young Robin!
Defensemen
Mark Borowiecki		Two points and a great game against the Isles balances out the rest of his sub-par week.
Cody Ceci		Pretty average week for Ceci. I definitely like him more with Wiercioch than Cowen still.
Jared Cowen		Poor skating, poor passing, poor decision-making to go along with poor possession stats. Some might say he's banjaxed.
Eric Gryba		Played fine against Boston, like the rest of the team, but was scratched the rest of the week for Cowen.
Erik Karlsson		Good week highlighted by a three-point performance against the Habs. Also took sole control of first place in defensive scoring. A great week for our special wee lad.
Marc Methot		Gets an up arrow for his first goal in 367 days
Chris Phillips		I think we're as likely to see a leprechaun suit up for the Sens as Phillips these days
Patrick Wiercioch		Three points, above-average possession, and the only Senator with the name Patrick!
Forwards
Alex Chiasson		See Biggest Losses.
Erik Condra		He's playing far above expectations for a bottom-six forward
Colin Greening		Doesn't really need to be on this list, but he has "green" in his name
Mike Hoffman		No points this week, but his lowest time-on-ice was 16:43 so he's definitely earned some trust. He's also maybe the most explosive player to watch on the team.
Curtis Lazar		He played in the games. Not sure what else to say.
David Legwand		Great possession stats in 3/4 of the games this week. In his current role, that's exceeding expectations.
Clarke MacArthur		Injured, so he doesn't lose points for having a Scottish name
Milan Michalek		Not amazing this week, but he still looks incredibly different from the Michalek of the beginning of the year. It'll be interesting to see what happens when MacArthur is back from injury.
Chris Neil		Not looking likely to be back anytime soon.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau		Three points in four games, that's a big up in my books.
Matt Puempel		Got the first two goals of his NHL career this week, even if his ice time dropped. Wouldn't be surprised to see him scratched or sent down soon.
Bobby Ryan		The shots are coming, the line looks good, but no points on the week.
Zack Smith		No news is not good news for Z Smith.
Mark Stone		Two points for "Blarney" Stone this week. Up there with Hoffman for most explosive player on the team. Can't wait to see how he improves, since he's only 22.
Kyle Turris		Nothing special about this week for Turris.
Mika Zibanejad		Got one assist this week, but in the same disappointing situation as his linemates.

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