FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-After he won that first start against the Montreal Canadiens, Andrew Hammond quickly became one of the best stories of the Senators’ season. But apparently that small dose of success was just the beginning for Hammond. Last night, he found a way to one-up that first career win by registering his first career shutout. Granted the defence played pretty well in front of him but to get a shutout, with his parents watching was obviously a special moment for the 27 year old. Right now, we are watching a guy get his first and possibly only chance at an NHL career and he’s doing everything in his power to make the most of it. Pretty impressive.
-And while Hammond ends up with the shutout, reality is this was probably one of Ottawa’s best “team” wins of the season. A complete sixty minute effort against one of the top teams in the NHL. All four forward lines clicking. All three defensive pairing looking comfortable. And the goalie standing on his head when he had to. Even in the third period, with a two goal lead, the Senators kept pressuring the Ducks. I suspect there haven’t been many periods this season where the Anaheim Ducks were as thoroughly outplayed as they were in that second period.
-Pretty good time for their best effort of the season too. Especially for those of us clinging to the dream of a playoff spot in April. Ottawa has now won three straight and pulled within 7 points of the second Wild Card spot. And with two games in hand. Sports Club Stats had them up to 16.5% after last night’s win.
-Erik Karlsson had another one of those “Wow” games last night. Five or six times during last night’s game I found myself marveling at a different part of his game. Whether it was a booming one timer, an ability to break the puck out of his end on his own or effortlessly separating an opponent from the puck in the defensive zone- Karlsson was at his best last night. Really can’t say enough good things about the difference Marc Methot has made in Karlsson’s game. Watching that interview with Brent Wallace, you can see how close these two are off the ice. That Marc Methot extension was so important for this team.
-I think we all kind of forgot how much fun winning can be. The Senators have struggled with consistency most of the season but watching them finally string together a few wins has been a nice little reminder on why we watch hockey. The fan base got caught up in the draft talk which is inevitable when a team is playing the way Ottawa was but the reality is, as fans, we want to see them win. And I know a lot of people are worried about where the Senators might pick in June and that’s fine- but let’s not forget why we support this team. We cheer for them because we want to see them do well. And right now, things are finally starting to go well for the Ottawa Senators.
