FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Obviously the New York Islanders aren’t exactly a league powerhouse but considering the situation, that was an impressive road win for the Ottawa Senators. They were in a tough back to back scenario but got off to the good start and managed to dictate the play most of the night. New York did battle back and pushed in the third but Ottawa’s defence hung in there. These two weekend games were ones that Ottawa needed to keep pace in their division. Ottawa now moves to 4-1-0 in the second game of a back to back this year.
-Mark Stone is in the middle of one of those stretches where you can easily make the argument that he’s one of the best right wingers in the game. He now has 6 points in his last 3 games and 18 points in his last 14. Heck of a run for Stone. When he’s at his best, it feels like he’s always a couple moves ahead of the opposition. That’s the way it looks for Stone right now. He’ll obviously never be confused for a quick skater but he honestly has one of the best sticks in the game. Jonathan Iilahti, Samuel Carrier, Kevin Lind, Nick Luuko, Nick Mattson. These are players drafted just before and just after Mark Stone. Anytime you’re feeling a little down on the Ottawa Senators just be thankful they were able to find Mark Stone late in that 2010 Draft.
-It’s going to be interesting to see what Boucher does with Zack Smith on Tuesday in Chicago. Mike Hoffman will be ready to return from his suspension but at this point, I just don’t see how you can take Smith away from Brassard and Stone. Smith has played some of his best hockey of the year the last two games. Starting Hoffman in Dzingel’s spot is an option or perhaps even on a third line with Pageau and Lazar? Tough call for the Coach but a good problem to have. Here’s hoping Smith can stay hot. Boucher certainly seemed to be hinting at the idea of keeping Smith-Brassard-Stone together on Tuesday night.
-After a dreadful start to his season, Bobby Ryan is finally healthy and the points are starting to pile up a little bit. He’s now scored a goal in three straight games including one off of his shin pad on Saturday night and one off the hand in this one. Considering how tough goals have been to come by for Ryan, I don’t think he’ll mind a couple fortunate bounces. Although perhaps the oft-injured hand isn’t the smartest choice of deflector.
-Andrew Hammond just can’t seem to catch a break this season. Finally gets a chance to start a game for the first time in more than a month and can’t even make it out of the first period. Hammond seemed to get his leg caught up trying to make a save in the opening period and had to be helped off the ice. While the injury looked pretty serious at first glance, he did return to the bench in the second period. In speaking with reporters after the game, Boucher mentioned that it was an ankle injury and they’ll wait before deciding whether or not they need to recall a goalie.
Boucher’s Post-Game Comments
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