FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Really have a hard time faulting Ottawa’s effort level right now. They are doing a lot of things right but just not finding a way to win hockey games. The Senators had three or four great chances to tie that game in the third but just couldn’t find a way to finish. It’s sort of been a pattern for them this season and the type of struggles you would expect from a team a little low on talent.
-Each game I watch, I find myself looking for positives and reasons to keep watching. And honestly, there are plenty of them. It hasn’t gone their way this season but there are still things to like about this roster. Last night, both Mark Stone (22) and Cody Ceci (21) were among the best players on the ice. Stone is such a unique player and the improvement in his game over the last couple seasons has been so encouraging. Have a hard time determining what his ceiling is as an NHLer but he is absolutely a top six forward.
-I thought Robin Lehner had a pretty strong outing last night but when the final buzzer sounded, most people were talking about his stick toss after the 4th goal followed by his dramatic stick-over-the-knee show as he skated off the ice. It really doesn’t matter how good Lehner gets, he won’t ever be a legitimate star until he learns to control his emotions a little bit. You love to see a guy that cares but goalies need to be able to handle the highs and the lows.
-I’ll never be driving the tank but when the Senators sit as many points out of last place as they do a playoff spot, it’s hard not to let your eyes wander ahead to the entry draft in June. It’s friggin’ February, by the way. With last night’s loss, Ottawa slipped to 26th overall in the standings which would give them an 8.5% chance at the first overall pick and a real good shot at a top end prospect. If anybody needs me, I’ll be running this damn draft lottery simulator for the next 4-5 months.
