FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-It’s probably a term we’ll need to get used to down the stretch here but that was a textbook example of “finding a way”. On the heels of two emotional wins on home ice, this back-to-back in Philadelphia had letdown game written all over it. And from the moment the puck dropped, you could just kind of tell that energy levels might be a little low. Yet, they just dug deep and they found a way to win a hockey game. It really was a team effort in every sense. Big goal from the Captain, a back-up goalie making key saves, depth guys pitching in on offence, fourth line forwards backchecking the entire length of the ice, a recent addition adding the insurance marker and a defenceman blocking shots with any available body part. Just a little bit of everything. Finding a way.
-With so many teams in the race and the generally streaky nature of this year’s version of the Ottawa Senators, there is gonna be no such thing as a comfortable cushion in the Eastern Conference standings. Thanks to this hot start to the month of March combined with all sorts of losing by the teams behind them, the Sens are definitely into a more favourable position in the Wildcard race though. Ottawa wakes up this morning in that first Wildcard position, three clear of Columbus and five up on the chase pack which now includes Montreal, New York and Boston. It certainly looks better than it did a few weeks but with 18 games remaining, they have to keep their foot on the gas pedal. They’re back home to face Boston on Thursday and then in Toronto on Saturday night.
-Without exaggeration, that play by Matthew Highmore is one of the most impressive things I have ever witnessed in a hockey game. Sure it started because of a Highmore giveaway and yea, he was having a tough night up until that point but the effort level on that play and the sheer determination to come all the way back and save a sure goal was nothing short of remarkable. Highmore has kind of forced his way into the Ottawa lineup this season and carved out a role for himself as a fourth line forward and penalty kill specialist and it’s almost entirely because of his willingness to just outwork the other guys on the ice. That work ethic was on his display on that game-saving backcheck. I just can’t stop watching this damn replay.
MATTHEW HIGHMORE WITH A HUGE SAVE FOR THE SENS
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— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 12, 2025
-Safe to say that Dylan Cozens is enjoying a fresh start. The last week or so has been a whirlwind of sorts for Cozens but he has looked extremely comfortable in Ottawa colours and basically, hasn’t wiped the smile off his face since he rolled into town. With another massive goal last night that gave his team a much-needed two-goal cushion, Cozens has points in three straight. And as the third period goals against Detroit and Philadelphia suggest, he’s more than comfortable playing in these big games. Cozens is one of those players that just does everything well and on that play it was both his ability to force turnovers and an elite shot on display. Man, did he ever rip that thing.
COZENS WITH HIS SECOND GOAL IN TWO GAMES AS AN OTTAWA SENATOR
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— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 12, 2025
-A moment of appreciation for Ridly Greig. His game can get lost in the shuffle a little bit sometimes and especially with the likes of Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle doing a lot of the heavy lifting but Greig has been really found another level to his game of the last few weeks. In his own end, in the offensive zone and in the heads of his opponents, Greig just always seems to find a way to have an impact on the game. His offensive numbers may never jump off the page but if you watch him closely, you really appreciate just how effective he can be in all parts of the game. That line of Greig with Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio has been a huge part of the team’s recent success and has Travis Green mentioned post-game, is doing a lot of the “heavy lifting” for the team right now, including a lot of the toughest match-ups on most nights.
Whoo Baby
#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/wbCH6tJwGn
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 12, 2025
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