FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Rally from down two goals. Another incredible shot by Mike Hoffman to tie the game in the final minute. Another jaw-dropping play by Bobby Ryan and Erik Karlsson to win it in overtime. And all on home ice. This really should have been one of the Senators most exciting wins of the season yet the excitement of last night’s dramatic come from behind victory was somewhat subdued because of concern over the health of the team’s top line centre, Kyle Turris.
-In what seems like nothing short of a miracle, the word last night on Kyle Turris is no broken bones and he’ll actually travel with the team to New York today. He walked onto to the team charter under his own power! I was sort of in disbelief reading the injury updates after last night’s game because it actually looked like it had the potential to be a career ending type injury for Turris. His knee and his ankle were just…not where they should be.
-Nobody is really at fault on the play but honestly, what in the hell was Casey Czikas trying to do there? He had no chance at the puck and instead intentionally dove at the back of Turris’ legs and took him out. And then for good measure, he grabs the leg of Turris on the way down. Again, not saying there was intent to injure, just a stupid play by the Islanders fourth liner.
-I think we’ve reached a point where the “Erik Karlsson for Norris” talk is actually a little too obvious and it’s time to start having a legitimate discussion about Erik Karlsson’s chances at winning the Hart Trophy. He has been that good through the first 26 games of the season. For the second straight game, Karlsson put this team on his back in overtime and won the game for his team. Thanks to back to back three point efforts, Erik Karlsson now sits fourth in league scoring with an incredible 32 points in 26 games. He leads the entire league in assists and is now on pace for a 101 point season. When Karlsson is at the top of his game, he’s the best player in hockey. Period. The fact that there are still some people that watch this generational talent and default to, “ya but he turns the puck over some times” or “ya but he doesn’t play the penalty kill” is just so sad and completely ridiculous.
-Mentioned it during the game last night but Ottawa’s top power play unit is just so fun to watch right now. They have Karlsson as a legitimate threat to shoot from up top. Ryan circling up top on the right hand side waiting for his lane. And then Mike Hoffman on the left side with one of the best releases in the game. And then add Mark Stone and Kyle Turris setting up down low. Actually, that may be the best five man unit the Senators have ever iced on the power play.
