FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-So last night as I was watching the third period, I foolishly thought it was going be an uneventful loss. Something about the Sens/Devils in New Jersey makes me assume the worst. I figured I might even be able to skip my daily blogging responsibilities today. Mark Borowiecki and Jean Gabriel Pageau ruined those plans in less than eight minutes.
-This is one of those character-building wins that a new Coach loves. You could hear it in the way the players were talking afterwards too. This one meant a lot to them. The Ottawa Senators took it on the chin the other night in Carolina. They were downright embarrassed. It happens to every team once and awhile but what really matters is how you respond as a group. To add to that, the Senators really didn’t play their best game last night. But they stuck with it in a situation where it would been pretty easy to just roll over. They showed a ton of fight in that third period.
-The more I watch this year’s version of the Ottawa Senators, the more I get the sense there’s something really special about this group. It’s getting a little bit clouded by the rock-bottom expectations we all had for them coming into this season and the awkward feeling that comes with each win that pulls them further away from the best odds at first overall…but it’s there. Fans and experts might believe this is a team capable of finishing last overall. But the coaches and the players obviously don’t. And actually, I think they legitimately feel like they can beat anyone.
-How about Jean Gabriel Pageau though?! Eleven goals in 18 games including eight in his last six. Absurd. There are only five players in the league that have scored more goals than Pageau. Ridiculous. And there are people that want to trade this guy for a draft pick. Wacky. Seriously, please don’t trade Jean Gabriel Pageau for a draft pick. We have lots of those already. We only have one Pageau. I understand inflated shooting percentages, I understand the desire to capitalize on an asset during a rebuild and I understand the risks associated with committing money and term to a player previously believed to more of a bottom six guy. I get all that. I just want to keep one player that we all like. Is that too much to ask?
-That was the best game of Erik Brannstrom’s career. Attacking more on offence and just generally looking like a more confident hockey player. Either the coaching staff finally loosened the reins on him a little bit offensively or he’s sensing that a demotion is a possibility and desperation is finally kicking in. Hopefully last night’s game is something he can build on. The defensive side of the game has been pretty good all year. More offensive efforts like last night and we’re in business.
-Couple roster moves this morning as both JC Beaudin and Jonathan Davidsson have been returned to Bellevile. Likely means Logan Brown returns on Friday night against the Flyers.
Smith’s Post-Game Comments
Player Interviews
Advanced Stats
Boxscore
Loading …NEXT UP- vs. Flyers (Friday), @ Sabres (Saturday), @ Red Wings (Tuesday)
