FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Safe to say we’ve all seen enough of Robin Lehner and the Buffalo Sabres. Despite controlling the game for significant stretches, including a ten minute sequence at the end of the second that was some of the best hockey they’ve played all year, the Senators just couldn’t find a way to beat the damn Buffalo Sabres. They started the game slowly and it was the same story early in the third and in the end, that was the difference. Lehner’s domination over his former-team continued too. If not for his work in the second period, this game was out of reach heading into the third.
-That is certainly the best game Bobby Ryan has played in weeks and it was probably his best game all year. From the moment the puck was dropped, you could tell he had another gear. Ryan was moving his feet and engaged physically. He controlled the play down low, was throwing everything at the net and he was one of the few players actually able to get in the face of Lehner. Obviously games like that have been pretty rare for Ryan this season but it really was a dominant performance. 1 goal, 1 assist, 6 shots and 7 hits. More of that please, Bobby.
-Dean Brown was on the TSN1200 pre-game show and was asked about Bobby Ryan’s play this season. Thought he did a great job of providing some important perspective on how off-ice issues might be weighing on Ryan a little bit. It’s an interesting clip and definitely worth a listen (starts at 58:45). When you’re one of the highest paid players on the team and you’re struggling, criticism is inevitable. But what fans and media some time lose sight of is the fact that these guys aren’t robots. They have a life away from the rink and sometimes that life impacts their game. As Dean Brown points out, maybe that’s part of what has been holding Ryan back this season.
-Looking at the box score this morning, I honestly couldn’t believe that Freddy Claesson only played 11:51. Felt like he was one of Ottawa’s most noticeable defenceman both in his own end of the rink and with the puck on his stick. He’s not exactly known for his offensive upside but with his assist on the first goal, Claesson now has 5 points in his last 6 games. Not to question what Mark Borowiecki brings to the line up because I do think his physical presence matters but it’s getting damn near impossible to take Claesson out.
-Probably shouldn’t come as a huge surprise with the way his season has gone but prior to puck drop, Darren Dreger suggested that struggling forward Curtis Lazar could ask for a trade as early as this weekend. After starting the season with mono and then spending some time in the AHL, Lazar hasn’t been able to get his game on track this year. And apparently he doesn’t see a future with the organization. Certainly understand why he’d want a fresh start but pretty unfortunate he and his agent thought it was a good idea to leak the potential request through the media. Puts Pierre Dorion in a tough spot. Mentioned this in the Game Day post but to this point, the teams that are calling Ottawa about Lazar are not offering anything of substance.
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