Manufactured outrage.
It has become central to the Sens fan experience. Don’t get me wrong, this team does and has done plenty of things that are worthy of our anger and frustration. But it seems like there are portions of this fan base that are actively searching for reasons to be angry.
Whether it’s an off-hand remark by the General Manager, a juggling of the lines by the Head Coach or a demotion of Logan Brown, there are fans ready to lash out. At all times.
It’s easy to see how we got to this point. For some, three years of struggle both on and off the ice has eroded the patience and trust that you might find in another hockey market.
The unfortunate thing is, it comes at a time when both patience and trust are paramount. In a year where success will ultimately be measured in individual player development rather than wins, we need to have the patience to let those development plans play out. Not over a week or even a month but over the full season. And because player development is anything but straightforward and we know there is no one-size-fits-all approach, we have to trust that Management and Coaches are making decisions with the best interests of these young players in mind.
Patience. Trust. Manufactured outrage.
The Ottawa Senators begin a five-game road trip tonight in Winnipeg.
It can be hard to see in the never-ending avalanche of losses but there are actually encouraging signs in the way the Senators have played lately. While they seem to be getting an unusual amount of offensive misfortune, they continue to carry the play for lengthy stretches. That third period against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night may have been the best Ottawa has played all year.
If they can continue to put together efforts like that and combine it with even average NHL goaltending, it feels like things could start to turn for this group. Unfortunately, as they hit the quarter mark in this shortened season, the hole they’ve dug themselves is probably too deep to climb out of.
OR IS IT?! Yes, it is. Probably.
As expected, Artem Anisimov cleared waivers and is destined for the taxi squad. DJ Smith has his team on the ice for a game day twirl at the MTS Centre and it looks like Cedric Paquette draws back in (or he is holding a spot for Nick Paul?).
Here’s how they are lined up at the skate. You’re gonna hate it.
Tkachuk-Tierney-C. Brown
Paquette/Paul-White-Dadonov
Stützle-Stepan-Batherson
Galchenyuk-Norris -Watson
Chabot-Zaitsev
Reilly-Zub
Wolanin-Gudbranson
Matt Murray is expected to get the start in goal for the visitors.
Puck drop is scheduled for 8:08 PM. The game is available on television, radio and streaming devices.
This table will tell you more about how these teams match up and if you look closely, about the meaning of life.
| HEAD2HEAD |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-11-1 (5 pts) | 7-4-1 (15 pts) |
| Goals For | 2.21 (29th) | 3.42 (9th) |
| Goals Against | 4.14 (31st) | 2.83 (18th) |
| Power Play | 13.8% (24th) | 21.4% (T-14th) |
| Penalty Kill | 75.0% (T-24th) | 79.4% (18th) |
| Shots For | 31.4 (12th) | 30.2 (17th) |
| Shots Against | 31.1 (21st) | 30.8 (20th) |
| Leading Scorers | Tkachuk- 8 pts Chabot- 7 pts Norris- 7 pts Jimmy- 6 pts Brown- 6 pts |
Scheifele- 15 pts Ehlers- 14 pts Connor- 12 pts Copp- 12 pts Wheeler- 11 pts |
| Starting Goalie | Matt Murray 2-6-1 3.64 GAA, .886 sv% |
Connor Hellebuyck 5-3-1 2.55 GAA, .911 sv% |
