Seconds before Jason Spezza's game-winning goal Thursday night, Ottawa Senators coach Cory Clouston took Alex Kovalev off the ice, replacing him with Mike Fisher.

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Alex Kovalev of the Ottawa Senators against the Atlanta Thrashers during first period action in Ottawa, October 31, 2009.

Photograph by : Ottawa Citizen

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Fisher then created the traffic in front as Spezza's shot hit the top of the net.

Clouston, however, praised Kovalev for his play in the game, suggesting it might have been his best effort of the season.

"He played very well, our power play was clicking, he set up a beautiful goal by (Fisher)," Clouston said. "He hit a post. I think there was a highlight-of-the-night type of save off him (on a setup by Spezza). He did a lot of creative things, and that's what we need him to do. I thought he had a little ... I don't want to say burr up his saddle, but he seemed to play with a little more passion."

Dare we suggest that Clouston was overselling Kovalev's effort slightly? The winger, signed to a two-year, $10-million U.S. contract last summer, continues to frustrate fans due to his inconsistency. He has four goals and two assists so far. Clouston does suggest he needs more offence from Kovalev -- at some point.

"He's a pretty experienced guy, he knows there's going to be some ups and downs during the season," the coach said. "I would much rather have him scoring at the end of the season than right now, that's for sure. He's doing the things he needs to be doing. It's frustrating when you hit the post like he did."

Neil stands by his hit

Chris Neil doesn't know what all the fuss is about. After knocking Victor Hedman out indefinitely with a crunching hit Thursday, he doesn't understand why there was even a debate about it.

"Those are the hits we want in the game," Neil said. "When you're going back for a puck and you bobble it, that's your own fault. You put yourself in that situation."

Clouston also said Neil "has got to play that way," labelling the hit as clean. Clouston, however, says there's more attention to the subject after Michael Liambas of the Ontario Hockey League's Erie Otters sent Ben Fanelli of the Kitchener Rangers to the hospital with facial and skull fractures. Clouston and Neil said there's no similarity in the hits.

"Because of the situation that happened in the OHL, it's kind of on the tip of everybody's tongue, and rightfully so -- that's a terrible situation," Clouston said. "I think the game has changed a little bit. The speed of the game, the size of the players. It's more impactful. Twenty-five years ago, when you had little caps on your shoulders, if you hit somebody, chances are it would hurt you, too."

Changes coming?

Clouston won't discuss possible lineup changes until this morning, but Jesse Winchester could get back into the lineup tonight. With Milan Michalek not practising Friday, Ryan Shannon took his spot with Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson -- perhaps an indication that Shannon could be the odd man out.