There was an odd sight at practice: Centre Jason Spezza out long after everybody doing work with assistant Brad Lauer.
Now, don't think for a second Spezza is usually the first one off the ice.
He isn't. He often stays late. He's just usually not the last.
Public relations officials are supposed to open the dressing room door 10 minutes after the first player leaves the ice. We used to time that by Peter Schaefer's clock. He was always the first which might explain why he finished last year with Providence in the AHL.
Now, we usually keep an eye on Kovalev. He was the first off the ice Friday. He was the first one off the ice this morning at 11:25 a.m.
Then, there was Spezza. He didn't leave until 12:30 p.m.
He was working on one-timers with assistant Brad Lauer from the slot. At one point, coach Cory Clouston came out. They went to the glass and started diagramming power play material. The club has to do more to get Spezza involved. He only has one goal this season. He needs to score more. He works hard. He wants to make it happen. The Senators scoring is down partially because Spezza isn't contributing.
The club went 0-for-5 against the Rangers Saturday after complaining they needed more power plays.
They got them and didn't do anything with them.
Watch for Spezza shooting one-timers from the slot against the Maple Leafs.
Might as well try. Nothing else has worked.

Brian Elliott is getting the call.
Senators’ coach Cory Clouston announced a few minutes ago the club’s backup will make the start against the New York Rangers in today’s matinee at Scotiabank Place.
Trying to get out of a funk and with starter Pascal Leclaire struggling, Elliott will be in the net for the first time since Oct. 29th when he dropped a 5-2 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“It’s the right choice at this time,” said a tight-lipped coach Cory Clouston.
The decision to scratch winger Ryan Shannon is no surprise. He hasn’t been producing and the club wants to get Shean Donovan back in there. The last time Donovan suited up was on Oct. 31st against Atlanta.

The Senators are the most penalized team in the league.
They are taking an average of 20.2 minutes per-game.
The numbers are skewed by five majors coach Cory Clouston argued today.
Sure, we'll take that explanation.
But, the reality is the Senators are taking bad penalties at bad times. Three power play goals by the New Jersey Devils don't lie.
The Senators need to clean up their act.
Quite obvious their complaining to the referees isn't doing them any good.
Missed calls are going to happen. Calls are going to go against you.
Hard done by? Nope.
The officials have a job to do.
They did it.
This has to turn around quick.

The Senators haven't had any serious contract talks with defenceman Anton Volchenkov.
Yes, they'd like him back.
Yes, he'd like to stay.
There hasn't been any progress in talks or any real discussions. None are scheduled. None are imminent.
"We haven't really talked about anything serious," said Volchenkov's New York-based agent Jay Grossman Friday. "Someone sent me an internet rumour that were holding serious talks and I don't know where that came from. It's a total fabrication. It's not happening. I don't know where this stuff comes from."
Volchenkov, sidelined with an elbow injury right now, is in a holding pattern. Ideally, he'd like to see how the Senators fare before making a decision on his future.

Quite a debate this morning gang.
Here are the way the lines look tonight against the Lightning:

Lines
Michalek-Spezza-Alfredsson
Kovalev-Fisher-Shannon
Foligno-Regin-Neil
Cheechoo-Kelly-Ruutu

Defence
Phillips-Lee
Campoli-Kuba
Picard-Campoli

Healthy scratches:
Donovan, Winchester.

Now, it would appear that Jonathan Cheechoo has been dropped to the fourth line.
Not so fast says coach Cory Clouston.
In his world there is no fourth line.
"That so called 'fourth line' plays more minutes than the third line," said Clouston.
Okay.
So Cheechoo isn't playing on either of the top two lines.
We'll leave it that.
One thing is certain: His next stop is the press box if he doesn't get it going.
He is moving closer.