FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Maybe not a full sigh of a relief but at least half of one. When Detroit scored that fourth goal in the third period, the worst thoughts about this season had seriously entered my head for the first time. And then, the Ottawa Senators woke up. They were pushing hard that third period and for the first time in this prolonged slump, seemed to recognize that their season was hanging in the balance. Kyle Turris (finally playing on a line with Hoffman and Stone) gave them a spark and then Freddy Claesson tied it up and gave this team a desperately needed point. Would have been nice to grab two but it gives them something to build on heading into tonight.
-Regardless of where you stand on the idea of 3 on 3 hockey, you have to appreciate the display of talent and skill these two teams put on during the five minutes of overtime. Incredible chances at both ends of the rink with both goalies making five star saves to keep their team in the game. It hadn’t been a great night for Anderson or Mrazek but they both stepped up in a big way during the extra period and in the shootout. While Anderson certainly wasn’t sharp in this one, he gave his team a chance to grab that second point in overtime and the shootout.
-Seriously, Erik Karlsson’s performance was the stuff of legends. Leadership personified. After being ruled out by his Coach during the morning skate, Karlsson flew himself to Detroit (his call, not the team’s) just a couple hours before puck drop and was there when his team needed him most. And it’s not like he was eased into the game either. Karlsson led the way, playing 30:11 and like seven minutes more than any other Ottawa defenceman. Plays half the game, picks up a goal and an assist and does it on one foot. I’ll leave it up to the hockey writers to decide which award they want to give him but it’s either the Norris or the Hart. This guy is that important to this team.
-It’s hard to get a good read in just over seven minutes of ice time but I liked what I saw from Colin White last night. As Ray Ferraro pointed out on the broadcast a couple times, you could tell White was a little nervous during the first period but he seemed to loosen up as the game went a long. In the second period he made a couple smart offensive plays and started to work his way up the line up, at one point taking a shift with Jean Gabriel Pageau and Mark Stone. He played just one shift in that third period and then was put into a pretty tough spot in the shootout, with the game on the line. Certainly want to see more of him down the stretch and see how he responds to increased ice time.
-The rapid rise of Freddy Claesson is quickly becoming one of the most pleasantly surprising stories of Ottawa’s season. He was up over 20 minutes for a second straight game and was one of the players that really elevated his game in that third period when the Senators were pressing. That game tying goal was an absolute laser and was one of a handful of smart offensive plays he made during that final frame. Claesson now has 11 points in his 29 games, all at even strength. Guy Boucher, if you’re reading this, please stop scratching Freddy Claesson. His spot on that blueline should be permanent at this point.
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