It’s been sort of a strange start to the season for the Ottawa Senators.
Let’s be honest- six games really isn’t a big enough sample size to get to know a hockey team and in the case of the Sens, it has been particularly difficult to get a read. Ottawa has found a way to win three hockey games and added a single point via the shootout but there have been obvious issues. Their game against Nashville was probably their best of the season thus far and is hopefully a sign of things to come.
And even though six games is nowhere near enough to learn exactly what this team is made of, I’ve decided to try out a new feature called PLUS/MINUS. It may be a useless stat on the ice but I figure it will make a great weekly (or monthly? Or however often I remember to do it?) evaluation approach for the Senators.
Here goes nothin’…
PLUS
-Mike Hoffman. We all had concerns about what Hoffman would do for an encore but he has looked incredible to start. He seems a step faster, his shot a bit harder and his confidence with the puck at an all-time high.
-The top line. On paper this looked like a solid trio but in our wildest dreams, I don’t think we thought they’d be this good. The three have combined for 23 points in just six games and have quickly earned a reputation as one of the league’s best line combinations.
-Lazar on the penalty kill. There were some concerns about how the Sens’ PK would handle the departure of Erik Condra but so far, it looks like Curtis Lazar is more than ready to take over that role. Lazar along with Jean Gabriel Pageau have given the Senators a reliable duo when down a man.
-The power play. They are 22.2% so far this season which is good enough for 11th in the NHL. But more than just production, I’ve really liked the puck movement. Quicker and with a purpose. And you can tell they are making an effort to not have everything run through Karlsson. Tougher to defend that way.
-Jared Cowen. Expectations were fairly low for Cowen coming in but he’s actually looked okay. He’s still a third pairing defenceman at this point but with a puck mover like Wideman beside him, I think Cowen can actually be a useful player.
MINUS
-Patrick Wiercioch. He looked better against the Predators but if the Senators are going to stay competitive, they need a more confident and deliberate Wiercioch on that second pairing.
-The second line. As good as that first line is, it won’t mean much if they can’t get production from other places. Right now it’s Michalek-Zibanejad-Ryan but historically, that line hasn’t done much. Cameron will have to break up that first line if his L2 can’t get it going.
-Dave Cameron. It’s early and I’m not ready to hit the ol’ panic button on the Coach just yet but there are a couple concerning trends in his line up decisions. It’s personal preference but I prefer not to have guys on their off wing. And it’s pretty clear a puck mover is needed on each pair. We’ll see if he adjusts.
-Shots against. This is the biggest issue so far but they were a little better in that regard vs. Nashville. This always seems to just fall on the defence but the forwards have to shoulder some of the blame too. The Sens lack structure as a five man unit at times, both while defending and while exiting their end of the rink.
-Bobby Ryan. He has four points in six games but the Senators need him to score. He’s had a hard time doing that so far and with just 11 shots through six games, it’s clear he needs to put more pucks on net.
