FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Erik Karlsson was one of the first to admit that all the trade talk leading up to the deadline was a distraction for him. There were a lot of names being tossed around in the weeks before the deadline but nobody received the type of coverage Karlsson did. And it was pretty much constant in the last few days. As much as we want to think of trade rumours as part of the business, it’s easy to see how it might weigh on a player. Well now that the deadline has passed, Karlsson looks like he’s playing distraction-free again. Karlsson now has seven points in the team’s four games since the deadline and is looking more like the player that dominated during last year’s post-season. His 42 assists have him tied for second among defenceman and his 0.82 points per game are second only to John Klingberg. Not sure there is another defenceman in the game that can do what Karlsson did on that overtime winner.
The captain ends it in OT. @EASPORTSNHL pic.twitter.com/rAXMqxsRG1
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 6, 2018
-There haven’t been many nights where you could call Craig Anderson the best player for Ottawa but this may have been one of those nights. After letting in an early goal, as is tradition for the Senators, Andy shut the door the rest of the way until that late tying goal by Tyler Seguin. The Senators probably had a slight edge in play but Anderson still had to make a number of big stops, especially in the second period when the Dallas Stars made a push. While there are legitimate questions about the depth of this team, they still have game-breakers that can win it for them on nights where they get about average goaltending. More games like that from Anderson this season and this team would probably be fighting for a playoff spot.
Anderson gets a leg across to make the save. pic.twitter.com/61gHbTTjzk
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) March 6, 2018
-TSN caught up with former-Senator Marc Methot and as usual, Methot was really candid and thoughtful with his answers. Those between period interviews are like 95% cliche these days but Methot spoke openly about just how much he hates playing against his former team, talking about the bond he created with many of these guys during last year’s playoff run. It reminded me of locker clean-out day from last season when Methot talked about the incredible season they had and the connection the team felt to each other and to the city. I remember listening to that and thinking that in so many ways, Methot was just the perfect Ottawa Senator. Keeping Methot in the fold obviously wouldn’t have changed Ottawa’s fortunes this year but there is no doubt that they miss his presence, both on the ice and in the room.
-Bruce Garrioch had a few interesting updates during his nightly Question Period segment, including news on the future of the Coaching Staff. Garrioch thinks that at this point, the Senators are prepared to bring Guy Boucher back but that the Assistant Coaches are under review. Garrioch pointed to the team’s horrendous special teams as a big reason for that but honestly, that should fall on Boucher just as much as it does on Martin Raymond and Marc Crawford. Dorion should think long and hard about what he wants to do with this Coaches next season, including the Head Coach, and he should rely heavily on player feedback in making that decision.
-Not sure about the rest of you but I am really struggling to watch these games lately. Not because they aren’t entertaining. Outside of that Arizona game, the Senators are actually playing some decent hockey. It’s just that it has been awhile since the Senators were this far out of it and I almost forgot how awkward it is to watch the games when your team is in this situation. When something good happens, it’s bad. When the bad things happen, it’s good. In-game, I still find myself cheering for them to win but then when they do, you can’t really enjoy it. Not to mention that I have been keeping a close eye on the Buffalo Sabres and Arizona Coyotes for almost a month now. It’s just…unpleasant. Those feelings will be on full display this Thursday when the Senators play host to the Buffalo Sabres.
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