There is no doubting Ales Hemsky has been a nice addition to the Senators lineup. Over the past two games, Hemsky has assisted on six goals and found instant chemistry with Jason Spezza. For most of the season, Sens fans bemoaned the fact that Spezza was not playing with quality wingers. These last two games with Hemsky have only served to tease everyone, wondering what could have been if Hemsky was riding shotgun with Spezza all season long. But would the Senators be sitting in a playoff spot if they had acquired Hemsky a few months ago? Since Im officially banned from using the phrase "probably not" in this town, I will instead answer by saying I think its highly doubtful the Senators would be sitting in a playoff spot if Hemsky had been here since October. Ottawas big issue this season has been in their own end. And to be brutally honest, that has been their biggest problem since Paul MacLean took over as head coach a couple of years ago. To MacLeans credit, he has drastically improved the offense on this team. When they missed the playoffs in Cory Cloustons last season at the helm, Ottawa scored just 193 goals and was one of only three NHL teams who failed to crack the 200-goal barrier in 2010-11. So heading into MacLeans first season, the big question was: Who is going to score goals for the Senators? But MacLean worked his offensive magic and had terrific seasons from the likes of Spezza, Milan Michalek and Erik Karlsson and the team ended up scoring 249 goals and ranking in the top five in the NHL in that category. Thats a remarkable transformation; bottom five in the league in goals one year to top five the next. But Ottawas defensive game showed no real improvement in that first season under MacLean. They ranked 24th in goals against under Clouston (giving up 250 goals) and they also ranked 24th in goals against under MacLean (giving up 240 goals). In fact, no team that made the playoffs in 2012 allowed more regular season goals than the Senators. And when you give up as many goals as the Senators do, you either make the playoffs by the skin of your teeth - or miss them altogether. This trend appears to be rearing its ugly head again this season, as the Senators have no real problems scoring goals. They currently rank in the top half of the Eastern Conference in goals scored with 185 - more than playoff-bound teams like Montreal, Philadelphia and the New York Rangers. But the Senators have surrendered an astounding 213 goals this season - the second-worst total in the entire NHL. And no matter how many goals Hemsky would have added to the offensive side of the ledger, its hard to imagine how he would have helped with the defensive breakdowns that have been problematic with this team for months. A lot of people will point to the lockout-shortened season a year ago, where the Senators were the stingiest team in the Eastern Conference, sporting a 2.08 GAA. But last year needs to be taken with a grain of salt because it was only a 48-game schedule and the Senators were still giving up a ton of quality chances. Take a look at Ottawas NHL ranking in shots allowed/game since MacLean took over and you will see they didnt actually have a great defensive improvement in that department last season: Shots Allowed/Game (NHL Rank) 2011-12: 32.0/game (29th in NHL)2012-13: 31.3/game (23rd in NHL)2013-14: 34.4/game (28th in NHL) Even though the Senators were near the top of the league in GAA in 2012-13, they were still giving up too many shots and chances each night. They werent necessarily playing a tough, defensive style. Instead, they were bailed out by unbelievable goaltending that was producing numbers that were never going to be sustainable for the long-term. Craig Anderson, for example, had a .933 save percentage while short-handed last season - a number that has tumbled by more than 100 points this year. In short, the Senators brilliant goaltending masked the issues for this team last season. Now that the goaltending has been average this season, it highlights the defensive issues that have been around for the better part of three seasons. The best teams in the NHL over the past three years - like Chicago, St. Louis and Los Angeles - have all ranked in the top 10 in fewest shots allowed. Even a team like the Blackhawks, who have the reputation of being offensive-oriented, have allowed the fourth-fewest shots against this season. Again, MacLean deserves a ton of credit for turning this team into an offensive juggernaut. And if Hemsky re-signs next season, there is every reason to believe he can flourish in this system. But now is the time that MacLean and his staff need to fix the defensive flaws with this team. He is trying to implement a similar system he used in Detroit when they won the Stanley Cup in 2007-08. That season, the Red Wings had no trouble scoring goals, ranking third in the NHL in that department. But they also allowed the fewest shots per game at 23.5 - the best number in the entire league. The offensive comparisons to Detroit are accurate, but its the defensive game for Ottawa that still has miles to go. Bryan Murray didnt make any trades involving defensemen at the deadline because the organization believes they have the right personnel on the back end. If thats the case, its the system that needs to be adjusted moving forward. So when it comes to the re-build that started a couple of years ago, its fair to say the Senators are only halfway there. Air Force 1 Off-White Outlet .com) - The NFL is investigating whether the New England Patriots intentionally deflated balls during Sundays AFC Championship Game against Indianapolis. Air Force 1 Clearance . Louis Blues, having added Ryan Miller and Steve Ott from Buffalo, remain the No. https://www.cheapairforce1outlet.com/.C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Air Force 1 For Sale . - A week after a late-game debacle on defence, the Pittsburgh Steelers showed they can finish. Air Force 1 Retro Outlet . Almost 40 years to the day, the two teams will meet again, this time at BC Place, to celebrate the past and try to earn important points for the present.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton hasnt quite recovered from his fractured ribs. The Panthers fourth-year quarterback was held out of practice Wednesday due to soreness in his ribs. Coach Ron Rivera still thinks Newton will start the season opener Sunday at Tampa Bay. "Im optimistic and I expect him to be there," Rivera said. "We will see how it all unfolds. We have to look at this day by day." Rivera said he had expected Newton to practice Wednesday. But the two-time Pro Bowler complained or soreness in the morning and after practicing on Monday and working out on the side with the trainers Tuesday. Newton did not speak with reporters as he normally does on Wednesdays because he was undergoing treatment on his fractured ribs. Derek Anderson took the first-team reps at quarterback. Rivera maintains the teams game plan will not change, though its hard to imagine the Panthers calling any designed "read option" running plays if Newton does start. Newton ran for 2,032 yards and 28 touchdowns in his first three seasons in Carolina. Rivera said its too early to know if Newton will practice Thursday. "The nice thing is we have installations in the morning and he will have a good chance to do that, as well as see all of the tapes," Rivera said. Rivera said Newton seems to have settled on an oversized flak jacket that he would wear on Sunday. He had been experimenting with a variety of protective jackets. "Were going to approach this day by day, but again Im an optimist," Rivera said. "Im been wrong before, but well see." According to ESPN, Newton has been hit 467 times over the past three seasons -- more than twice as much as any other quarterback in the league durring that span.dddddddddddd "Its his style of play, how he plays," Rivera said. "You would like to see him develop another style of taper his style, but again that is what makes him who he is. If you take too much away from him it changes his game. But I do think it something he has to learn as he matures more and more as a quarterback -- how to slide, how to get rid of the ball and how not to take those hits." Everyone other than Newton participated in practice Wednesday for the Panthers, including defensive ends Charles Johnson (hamstring) and Greg Hardy (shoulder). The 31-year-old Anderson has started 43 games during his nine seasons in the league, but none since joining the Panthers three years ago. His last start came in 2010 with the Arizona Cardinals. Andersons best season was in 2007 when he threw for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns, earning him a Pro Bowl selection. For his career Anderson has thrown for 9,206 yards with 53 touchdowns and 55 interceptions and has a career quarterback rating of 69.1. The Panthers kept Joe Webb on the roster as a third quarterback in the event Newton struggled to get back on the field due to injuries. In addition to his ribs, Newton is also coming off ankle surgery in March. Anderson said he knows the pain Newton is feeling in his midsection. Anderson said tore the cartilage in his ribs in 2009 while playing for Cleveland but still played in a game against the Chicago Bears. "I probably shouldnt have played," Anderson said. Anderson said his preparation for this week is no different whether hes a backup or a starter. "Whatever reps I get during the week is great and I try to take advantage of those," Anderson said. ' ' '