FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-After the way that second period ended, I was sure that tying goal was coming in the third. The building was alive, you could tell the guys were fired up and it seemed like everything was rolling their way heading into the final 20 minutes. And they had their chances to tie the game in that third period but just couldn’t find a way to break through. A really frustrating way to lose because this was a game that was there for the taking. These two regulations losses really hurt the ol’ playoff chances. Pretty much have to win four straight now.
-If the Senators are going to get their act together down the stretch, the special teams have to be better. Because right now they are so bad on the power play and penalty kill that it’s costing them wins. If the power play wasn’t so dreadful in Detroit, they win that game. Then last night they took advantage of their power play opportunities but couldn’t kill a penalty to save their lives. This has been a story all year long but it’s been magnified the last couple games.
-Two more points for Erik Karlsson last night bringing him to 62 on the season. Tied for second in the friggin’ league. And yet still we have to hear BS about Drew Doughty winning the Norris Trophy this year. I get that it’s unlikely for a guy to win the Norris Trophy when his team misses the playoffs but if there was ever a year to make an exception, this is it. Not just because Karlsson has been so incredible but because none of the alternatives are really even close. The point totals are obviously jaw-dropping but it’s watching Karlsson live every night that you really appreciate how much better he is than other guys on the ice. I counted at least ten plays he made last night that left me in complete awe.
-It took me exactly two games to fall in love with Dion Phaneuf after a good six years of hating everything about him. Okay maybe love is a bit of a strong word but he’s just such a perfect fit on that Ottawa blueline that I’m frustrated we waited so long to make it happen. I understand the concerns about the latter years of his contract but now, and next year and the year after that, Dion Phaneuf is exactly what this team needs. Great response from the crowd last night to his Ottawa debut too.
-The thing that a lot of people seem to be missing in their criticism of the Phaneuf trade is the importance of those significant savings next season. When you’re looking at personnel decisions in Ottawa, budget is always more important than salary cap. It’s just the reality of the situation here in Ottawa. So the fact that Bryan Murray was able to address a team need and at the same time SAVE money next year is nothing short of a miracle especially with next year’s budget still up in the air. That money they save next year could be the difference between keeping and losing Mike Hoffman. I honestly like this Phaneuf trade more with each day.
