Senators Hang on For Gutsy Win Over Flyers

SensChirp October 27, 2017 209

FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS

-They don’t ask how, they ask how many. Okay, maybe that one doesn’t apply here. But that’s an important two points for the Ottawa Senators on home ice. This team has had a heck of a time hanging on to leads in the early part of this season and there was an undeniable sense of “here we go again” in that 3rd period. But the Sens were able to gut this one out. Considering the injuries they were dealing with coming into the game, that’s a solid effort from this team. They’re still trying to figure out how to play with a lead but that’s better than not being able to get leads at all.

-After a playoff where he was one of the Ottawa’s best forwards and a three year extension in the summer, Jean Gabriel Pageau has got off to a bit of a sluggish start. Pageau’s tireless work ethic combined with some legendary playoff perfourmances make him almost immune to criticism in this town but it seemed like there was a little bit of frustration with his play through the first nine games. Last night was definitely his best game of the season. While Pageau has a reputation as a shutdown guy, he’s at his best when he’s not only in the head of the other team’s top players but also finding ways to pitch in on offence. He did that against the Flyers picking up a goal and two assists.

-Not a bad way to start your NHL career. It took Filip Chlapik all off five seconds to register his first point as he picked up the primary assist on Dion Phaneuf’s 1st period power play goal just over 90 seconds in. Perhaps just as impressive was the fact that Boucher had him out there on the power play right off the bat. Boucher has his issues with young players but the way he talks about Chlapik is  a little bit different. Seems to be a trust there that he doesn’t have with some of the other young guys. Although in the end, Chlapik finished the game with just 6:49 of ice time.

-When the Senators signed Nate Thompson on July 1st, it was a move met with a surprising amount of criticism. Sure the dollar amount was a little higher than expected but there is something to be said for going out and getting a guy your Coach wants. It’s easy to see what Boucher likes about Thompson. He’s always on the right side of the puck and he’s a big reason why this Ottawa penalty kill has taken a big step forward this year. He’s not the quickest skater but he has a great stick and reads the play so well. Thompson finished with a season-high 19:10, won 60% of his draws, was a +2 and picked up another assist.

-Despite the fact that they now have a Top 5 offence in the National Hockey League, Ottawa’s league-leading penalty kill may be the most entertaining part of their game right now. You get the feeling that as a group, they take tremendous pride in their play while down a man. You can see it in the way guys are congratulated for blocking shots as though they just scored a goal. Have a look the next time they kill one off. The reaction of guys on the bench is pretty cool. The Senators have now allowed the same number of power play goals as they’ve scored shorthanded. Two.

-Bonus Thoughts- That Erik Karlsson stretch pass and that Craig Anderson save.

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