FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Domination from start to finish. The way it should be against a bottom-feeding team like the Arizona Coyotes. There were times in the game where the Yotes pushed back a little bit but the Senators were always quick to stomp out any potential swings in momentum. Watching the game, you could those points in the game where previous editions of this team might have wilted a bit under the pressure. But not this group. Anytime the Coyotes seemed to be pushing back, the Senators would dial up the intensity and retake control of the game. A really encouraging sign for a team that is still learning how to win, as the Coach would say. Three straight wins for the Senators, over .500 for the first time this season and two more games left on the homestand. Dallas up next on Monday.
-While Ottawa’s top six is going to get most of the headlines, it’s the performance of the bottom six that continues to stand out. The third line of Tyler Motte, Shane Pinto and Mathieu Joseph has been an absolute handful for the opposition and is creating huge match-up problems. At the same time, the fourth line of Kelly-Kastelic-Watson has single-handedly shifted the momentum for the Senators in two straight games. When that trio starts finishing their checks, it’s contagious. Not only does it get the crowd going but you can also see that it gives the rest of the team a little boost. A useful and productive bottom six may end up being the difference for the Ottawa Senators this season.
-Gosh it’s nice to see Sens fans having fun again. Over the last three games, the mood in that rink is just so different than anything we’ve seen over the last few years. And it’s making a difference for the players on the ice. For so many of the young players on this team, this is really the first time they’ve had a chance to play in front of a loud crowd and it’s giving them a lift on the ice. There are two more games on this homestand. If for some reason you’ve been on the fence about getting to a game, just do it. The atmosphere in that rink is worth the price of admission alone.
-In a start that includes many encouraging developments, the play of Erik Brannstrom may be right near the top of the list. Coming into this season on a one-year deal, this was obviously going to be a pivotal year in Brannstrom’s career and in his time with the Senators. It’s early but he looks like a different player. Now that may not be entirely fair because he was clearly trending in the right direction towards the end of last year too but he’s taken it to another level through the first five games. Just has the look of a more confident and assertive player at both ends of the rink. If both Brannstrom and Sanderson can keep this up, the blueline may not be as big an issue as we thought.
-And now the bad news. Josh Norris left yesterday’s game with what was clearly an issue with his shoulder. Considering the issues Norris has had with shoulder injuries in the past and the generally cursed nature of the team’s shoulder health over the last couple seasons, this was a devastating turn of events. According to some of the post-game reports, the team is waiting for the swelling to go down before they can do an MRI and determine the extent of the injury. Fingers crossed. The good news is with Derick Brassard waiting in the wings and Shane Pinto clearly ready for more responsibility, the Senators may be able to hold the fort for a little bit. Here’s hoping it’s nothing serious though and Norris can return to the lineup soon.
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