FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-That’s a frustrating way to lose a hockey game. Not only because the shootout is the worst thing to happen to hockey since Nick Kypreos but because they had those two points in the bank. The game was there for the taking. While the shot clock showed a 40+ night for the Los Angeles Kings, it felt like the Senators were in pretty good shape most of the way and especially in that third period where they did everything right up until the Mike Condon giveaway with just under two minutes remaining. Condon, who was solid for 58 minutes of the game up until the turnover, suggested that Oduya had called out reverse but a Kings player may also have called for it at the same time. It happens. Disappointing way to lose a game though.
-Guy Boucher takes a little bit of heat for having his favourites but it’s easy to see why he likes certain guys in a game like this one. This may have been Tom Pyatt’s best game as a Senator. TSN analysts Mike Johnson suggested it may have been his best game in the NHL. He was creating all sorts of scoring chances through the first half of the game and was a key factor in Nate Thompson’s third period goal. Speaking of Boucher’s favourites, Thompson now has goals in back to back games and has surpassed his goal total from last year. Offence obviously isn’t a big part of what Thompson brings but he has been everything the Senators expected and more early in the year. When asked about Thompson and Pyatt post-game, Guy Boucher used the word relentless 6 times in less than 30 seconds.
-With two forwards missing from their top three lines, it’s clear that Boucher is trying to find a way to balance the top three lines. Easier said than done, of course. At times during the second period and for a couple shifts in the third period, he loaded up his top line, putting Mike Hoffman out there with Mark Stone and Derick Brassard. And not surprisingly, those were some of the best 5 on 5 shifts of the game for the Senators. They seemed to light a fire under Hoffman too. It doesn’t leave much for the other three lines but that’s definitely a trio Boucher should go back to when in desperate need of a goal.
-Turns out Guy Boucher did learn a valuable lesson after that overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. Despite some tense moments and a lot of back and forth with Marc Crawford, he did the obvious and started Erik Karlsson in overtime. Much to the confusion of the Los Angeles Kings. It almost seemed like there was a compromise made though because instead of putting two forwards with Karlsson, they went with Johnny Oduya. Still, a little conservative for my tastes. It was only for the first shift though as Ottawa attacked the rest of the way and Karlsson played most of the 5 minutes.
-As Senators fans, we probably do more than our fair share of complaining about the media attention (or lack thereof) our team receives and maybe don’t show enough appreciation for the quality regional coverage. It’s been three years now and I still can’t help but think how lucky the Ottawa Senators were to have TSN miss out on the league’s national coverage and instead pick up regional broadcast rights in Canadian markets. Their play by play guys (Gord Miller and Chris Cuthbert) are some of the best in the business, the colour guys (Ray Ferraro and Mike Johnson) are excellent and the between period panels led by James Duthie and whoever is left in studio (including Bob McKenzie) are always solid.
-Bonus Thought- Sens fourth round pick Drake Batherson is off to a ridiculous start. Another 4 point night last night bringing him up to 28 points in just 14 games. Oh and apparently he got in a fight last night too. The kid is doing it all for the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and looking like an absolute steal for the Senators. You always have to be cautious with inflated point totals in the QMJHL but the plays he’s making certainly demonstrate some high-end skill.
Drake Batherson (#19). 3rd straight 4 point game. 28 points in 14 games. Leads the #QMJHL in points, goals, and PPG. T-2nd in assists. Wow 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wk0Ef6v4SC
— Sens Prospects (@SensProspects) October 25, 2017
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