FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-All the praise that has been directed towards this team in the last month somehow seems inadequate when compared to just how incredible this stretch has been. Like, I’m talking “best stretch in franchise history” good. It’s just so unlikely, so unexplainable, so awesome. Aside from the Cup run, I really can’t remember having this much fun as a Sens fan.
-Andrew Hammond. I mean, what else can you say at this point? We’re all sitting here waiting for the magic to run out and somehow, he seems to be getting better. Last night may have been his best performance yet. The save he made on Jordan Staal was jaw-dropping. He followed that up with four or five more season-saving stops in the third period.
-With that win, Hammond tied a 76 year old league record. Most games allowing two goals or less to start an NHL career at 12. 12! It was a record previously held by Frank Brimsek. Brimsek played the majority of his career with the Boston Bruins, earning the nickname Mister Zero along the way. He won a Calder Trophy, two Vezinas, two Stanley Cups and he’s in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Ya, that’s how good Brimsek was.
-This may have been the best game of Patrick Wiercioch’s career. He has always been an advanced stats darling but recently, he’s starting to pass the eye test too. The increased confidence Dave Cameron has shown in him has clearly impacted his game. He just looks like a more comfortable player at both ends of the rink. Zone exits and smart offensives plays have always been his strength but last night, he really did a great job of defending. He looked strong in one on one battles down low, wasn’t backing up quite as much at his own blueline, and a made a handful of great plays with his stick, either knocking pucks away or intercepting passes.
-Oh and by the way, the Boston Bruins lost in a shootout to the Buffalo Sabres. Ya, the Buffalo Sabres. Sens fans were sort of assuming the Bruins would come away with the two points in that one but Tim Murray’s boys did the Sens a favour. Ottawa is now four points back with a game in hand. They play the Bruins on Thursday night. Ok, ok…THAT’S the biggest game of the year.
