Written by Graeme Nichols | 18 February 2009

Fuck, Cory Clouston is really getting through to the Senators. Although it’s probably too little too late, Ottawa has been playing fantastic recently. I feel as if I’m living in a bizzaro world. It’s been so long since the Sens have played such consistent hockey. It’s great to not hear Team 1200 callers calling for Bryan Murray’s head or to blow up the team. Ah, life is good. It’s been a great run as of late. Here are some quick thoughts on Ottawa’s road trip:

• Nick Foligno has really emerged in the Clouston system. The line of Fisher, Foligno and Shannon/Neil has been on fire, accounting for a ton of offence over the trip. Secondary scoring may not be the problem it once thought to be with Clouston’s more aggressive system.

• The Big 3 are starting to take over games as in years past. Heatley looks like he’s found his form again, scoring goals that remind me of 2007.

• The way the team has been playing, it looks as if Chris Neil isn’t needed anymore. As good as he was playing before he got hurt, he has value and the team’s on ice product hasn’t dropped off at all without him.

• Jason Smith looks like a new man recently. Lieutenant Dan has been great. The whole Sens defense has looked refreshed as of the coaching change.

• The Senators actually have a breakout. It’s amazing not having to cringe every time Ottawa tries to make their first pass.

• If Mathieu Schneider’s value is setting the price for Filip Kuba, the Sens could get some solid return for him especially if his play continues to be as good as it has been heading towards the deadline.

• The Golden Boy Brian Elliott is NHL ready. Alex Auld is a good backup at a reasonable price and has really shown his worth on this trip.

• The Sens showed some serious balls coming back from 3-0 against the Wild. It was nice to see some guts from a team that has been seriously shit on for lacking character.

• Carrie Underwood needs to be more graceful when avoiding cameras.

• Pierre McGuire sucks and when he does Ottawa games he really pisses me off. He’s the biggest frontrunner in hockey and his act is getting old. He needs to realize that being a jackass on the air isn’t going to get him another coaching job.

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