FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Big win for the Sens! With a huge two points over the Buffalo Sabres, the Ottawa Senators are right back in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. I’m trying, I really am. In all honestly, that had to be one of the worst wins in the history of the franchise. Okay maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration but I certainly can’t recall a more boring, less inspired effort from the team this season. It was that bad. Ottawa just didn’t have any jump from the moment the puck was dropped and it made for an excruciating 65 minutes of hockey. But uhh, they won!
-Not to make excuses for them but in his post-game press conference, Dave Cameron mentioned that a bunch of players are currently battling the flu. Owen Nolan wouldn’t buy that excuse but that’s exactly what it looked like. This hasn’t been a great year for the Senators obviously but last night they just looked like they had zero energy. And it was the case for all four lines and the whole blueline. This game was a struggle. I’m sure the half-empty building didn’t help their cause either. Oh and by the way, full credit to the 10,000 or so fans that made it out to the rink last night in those conditions!
-If not for the play of Craig Anderson this game could have been fairly one-sided in the Sabres favour. Buffalo dominated Ottawa on the shot clock (39-26) including a ridiculous 31 shots through 40 minutes. It’s not like Anderson was making spectacular saves all night but he was certainly busier than Robin Lehner was at the other end of the rink. Miracle runs to the playoffs don’t happen unless you have lights out goaltending. Anderson gave the Senators that last night.
-Congratulations to forward Ryan Dzingel on scoring his first goal in the National Hockey League. You knew it was only a matter of time for him the way he had been playing through the last few games and last night he finally broke through. I’m trying to manage my expectations with Dzingel but I really do think the Senators have found something here. He’s not going to put up big points and he’s not a top six guy but he’s exactly the mix of skill and speed you need at the bottom of your line up.
-Also liked what I saw from Nick Paul last night. Finally getting a chance to play in his first NHL game, Paul looked quite comfortable playing on a line with Curtis Lazar and Chris Neil. In fact, that trio may have been Ottawa’s best line on the night. Paul is a big kid, strong on the boards and not afraid to get to the front of the net. He had a couple decent scoring chances last night too. It’s going to be interesting to see if he gets a longer look here down the stretch.
