For everyone expecting an immediate change in the Senators last night, it looks like we were short a miracle. After the loss to the Flyers in Philadelphia, the Sens Army is back on full panic mode. Step away from the panic button, it’s not over yet!

After the firing of John Paddock, Ottawa had become pretty optimistic about their playoff hopes. Going into last night’s game against Philadelphia, the players and fans thought it would be a piece of cake:  a team feeling guilty about letting a friend go, wouldn’t they want to win the game for their new-old coach and show what they’re made of?  Sounds good, if things hadn’t started off on the wrong foot in the morning skate.

Anton Volchenkov and Chris Phillips, the Senators shutdown tandem, both missed the game-day skate with flu-like symptoms. The Senators didn’t have enough time to call up a defenceman from the minors,  and with Christoph Schubert flipping back to his natural position on defence, they guessed one of the two would be able to go. “Bebop and Rocksteady” were on the ice to start the game.

Half-way through the first, however, Volchenkov was scrambling to block a shot and ended up injuring his chest. I didn’t see the puck hit him, (I bought the pay per view for the game), but he was stretched out awkwardly. After five minutes on the bench, looking like he definately had the flu, Volchenkov left the game. No timetable is out for his return.

The Senators managed to score the first goal in the game, something they haven’t been able to do for a week. Actually, it was the first time they’ve scored since February 23rd, even longer for a power play goal.  It was during the goal celebration that everything went spiraling downward once again. Martin Biron, not liking Spezza celebrating in front of him, cross-checked the all-star centre from behind. Captain Daniel Alfredsson quickly came to Spezza’s rescue, saying something I’ll censor to Biron, when all the Flyers jumped ontop of Spezza. Next thing you know, everyone’s trying to save Jason “Giggles” Spezza, as he was getting thrown around like a ragdoll by two Flyers. Somewhere in the mob, Spezza used the butt-end of his stick to get out of there and was handed a game misconduct by the officials. Already a shortened bench, this spelt nothing but trouble for the Senators.

 The only other highlight of the game was Mike Fisher defending his team-mate against Steve Downie. Downie, who was ontop of former Bruin Shean Donovan, was immediately thrown off when Fisher saw who he was. Downie had already dropped the gloves and should have gotten an instigator, as coach Murray was arguing with the referees (ah, a sight long forgotten), but Fisher wound up winning the fight. I don’t think Fisher’s ever lost one.

Although they lost the game 3 - 1, with the Flyers putting up three unanswered goals, there were plenty of positives to take home for this team.

• With only a morning skate under his belt, Bryan Murray had gotten his team to play a more physical, tough style, which lead to the Senators out-hitting the Flyers 24 to 15. Christoph Schubert, who covered up for Volchenkov’s spot on defence once again, led the hits along with team-mate Mike Fisher.
•  The Senators were able to score a powerplay goal, which they were only previously able to do once in 28 chances.
• Chris Kelly is close to a new contract with the Senators. This time last year, Muckler was able to get Volchenkov and Phillips signed to home-town discounts and their play escalted from there. Maybe we’ll see a similar pattern? Only thing being debated on is the length of the deal. He’s a UFA this Summer.
• The Senators didn’t get shutout!
• The Sens came out with a new attitude, previously lacking from the past two games against the Bruins and rival Toronto. Although not a complete turnaround, they were already looking like a different team than they had earlier in the week.

Now it’s time to see what Murray can do with a practice with the free-falling Senators before their home game against the Penguins Saturday night. Who, by the way, will be without Marian Hossa for at least a few weeks with a MCL sprain from a knee-on-knee collision with Glen Murray.