FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-If the Ottawa Senators are indeed destined to be the bottom-feeder that everyone thinks they are and a good portion of their own fans hope they are, it’s becoming increasingly evident they won’t just accept that fate without a fight. Stringing together solid performances continues to be an issue for the Sens but when they are on, they seem like a pain in the ass to play against. The San Jose Sharks found that out first hand. For maybe the 5th time this season, the Senators had everyone in the line up pulling in the same direction and the end result was a fairly convincing win over what should a pretty good hockey team.
-In his post-game interview, DJ Smith was quick to point to his team’s physical play as one of the key reasons they were able to come away with two points. In general, leading in hits isn’t necessarily a good thing (it means the other team has the puck more than you do) but against San Jose, the edge in that category was a sign of a team putting in the work required to win a hockey game. They made life awfully tough for the Sharks, finishing their checks at every opportunity. Mark Borowiecki set the tone early, Brady Tkachuk nearly put Erik Karlsson through the glass and the rest of the team followed from there. The Senators are a much tougher team to play against when they play that way.
-Watching Logan Brown last night, it’s pretty clear that he is an everyday NHL hockey player. His stride is never going to look pretty but the league is full of guys like that. As he adjusts to the NHL pace, which he’s already starting to do through a few games, he’s going to get more and more confident. His hands and offensive awareness are already at an elite level so once that confidence catches up, he’s going to be an incredibly dangerous hockey player. He made two passes (a between the legs pass to Anthony Duclair and a length of the ice backhand saucer pass to Brady Tkachuk) that only a few guys in the league would even think to attempt.
-In general, teams really don’t need to panic this early in the season. Especially teams loaded with talent like the San Jose Sharks. But after watching them in this one, the Sharks have to be getting pretty close to the tipping point. Because as things stand right now, that team looks nothing like a Stanley Cup contender and with an effort like we saw on Sunday, it’s hard to imagine them even making the post-season. They’re just four points back of the second Wild Card spot with a good six months still left to turn this thing around but man, they looked dreadful last night. Here’s hoping they don’t change a damn thing.
-So uhh what the hell happened to Nick Paul? Because the player we have seen these last few games is nothing like the one that bounced in and out of the line up for the last few years. While some fans are suggesting this has always been there and he’s finally getting a legitimate opportunity under DJ Smith, it feels like more than that. To me, Paul looks like a player that has recognized that the window on his NHL career was rapidly closing unless he did something about it. It’s either that or Red Lobster. Good on Nick Paul for making the most of what may have been his last chance to become a full-time NHL hockey player.
Smith’s Post-Game Comments
Player Interviews
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