FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-At this point, we can probably call it more than just “turning the corner”. That was an appropriate description back in February, when the Senators fought their way back from that ugly nine-game losing streak. But what we’re seeing from this group now is something completely different. These last two wins especially, over the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames, suggest that this is a team that’s ready to win. They’re playing with confidence, they’re playing with structure and honestly, they look like a team that’s ready to contend for a playoff spot. They’ve sort of run out of racetrack this season but we’re approaching a point where we can safely start to elevate our expectations for this hockey team. Next season is going to be a lot of fun.
-One of the things that makes the last two games so impressive has been their ability to close out the game. And not just by sitting back and hoping for the best either. Sure good goaltending is part of it but they no longer have that look of a team that’s waiting for something bad to happen. You can see it in the way they carry themselves out there. When the puck drops, this is a team that expects to win. And now they have the young talent, that has been through some low points and fought for those lineups spots to, ready to make it happen. This was an absolute must-win game for the Calgary Flames and they just got out-worked and out-played by this young Sens team. It was the same thing against Montreal too. It would have been pretty easy for Ottawa to hit cruise-control down the stretch but what we’re seeing is the exact opposite. This team is going to break some hearts over the next few weeks.
-That’s the Matt Murray we were all hoping to see this season and the one that the Senators felt comfortable locking up to a multi-year deal. Murray had a chance to reset a little bit over the last month and it looks like he’s making the most of the opportunity. When Matt Murray is at his best, the game looks easy for him. He’s a big goalie that relies on sound positioning to make most of his saves. We’ve seen a lot of that over the last three games. The Senators were patient with Murray during the month he was out of the lineup and instead of rushing him back, gave him the time he needed to refocus a bit. It looks like that patience is finally starting to pay off. Murray has turned aside 81 of 86 shots since returning to the Ottawa crease. A save percentage of .942 for those keeping track at home.
-Tim Stützle grabbed most of the early headlines but the rookie season Josh Norris has put together has been every bit as impressive. And maybe even more so. While Norris is a few years older, the fact that he has been able to play and thrive in a first line centre role at his age is nothing short of astounding. His two-way play was the story early in the season and now the points are starting to pile up too. Norris has 14 points in his last 15 games, including four goals on the power play. When you can shoot the puck like Norris can, it’s only a matter of time before they start going in more often.
-If you didn’t know anything about Shane Pinto and you just watched him closely for a game, you would swear he was a ten-year veteran. It’s not that there’s anything particularly flashy about the way he plays but man, does he ever think the game at a high-level. For a kid in his second NHL game to be making the plays he was last night is really impressive. Always in the right position and always anticipating where the play is going to go next. There was a penalty kill shift in the third period where Pinto blocked a shot, cleared the puck and then on the next entry, steamrolled the Flames forward and again sent the puck down the ice. Sequences like that are going to put him in the Coach’s good book pretty quick.
-Bonus Thought- The fact that I could go five thoughts without even referencing the standout efforts of both Brady Tkachuk and Connor Brown says something about how good this team is playing right now. Those two have been among Ottawa’s most consistent forwards this season and they brought it again last night. Connor Brown was acquired in a trade for Cody Ceci, you may recall. Also, three NHL franchises voluntarily passed on Brady Tkachuk.
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