Sens in 7?

OK, obviously it is well known that James and I are both pretty die hard Sens fans. And I certainly don't want to be one of those fans who disappears into the ether when times are tough. So I still support the team, undoubtedly mistakes have been made:

1. Not reuniting the CASH line sooner. The Sens struggled five on five v. Tampa, but got away with it based on Havalt's stellar play, a decent power play and incredibly shoddy TB goaltending. Alfredsson, Spezza and Heatley should have been reunited during that round, for more than a shift or two, and kept together during the Buffalo series. You live and die by your best players and when you have one of the best lines in the league, you PLAY THEM TOGETHER!

2. Playing Emery 23 games in a row of whatever it was post-Olympic break. I will be frank. I blama the team's lack of confidence in Emery for their poor performance in this series. WHile part of that is Emery's fault, I put a larger share of the blame on Murray. I have never heard of a team playing a goaltender 23 straight games during the most compact schedule in NHL history. Emery tweaked his hip towards the end and was eventually sat in favour of Morris. Since he returned he has not been the same as he was in March. His play in March was never as good as the stats indicated but he did occasionalyl come up with what John Tortorella would call "one goddamn save". And by that, I mean one save that was unexpected. One quality 2 on 1 save, a breakaway save, something.

3. Burning out Mez. I understand that the Sens injury situation was quite dire. But the problem with European rookies is well-known: they burn out. Even though Mez played WHL last year, he still did not play at anything close to the intensity of the NHL. He is burnt out and I cannot blame for him his admittedly shoddy play.

That's all I have time for now, but maybe James can add some more. Hope Hasek plays tonight and we shall see. I have not given up!