FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-As Senators fan, we are used to the sound of another fan base making noise in our own rink. It was nice to finally turn the tables for once. I’m not really sure how many Sens fans were in attendance last night in Vancouver but they certainly made a lot of noise. There were audible “Milllller” and “Go Sens Go!” chant in the back half of that game. I sent out the question on Twitter yesterday afternoon and it sounded like a bunch of people were going. Nice to know Sens Army is well represented on the West Coast!
-I’m sure all fans talk about it but the discussion about player usage and ice time distribution has become a focal point for Sens fans again. With Hoffman and Stone both producing well right now, fans are clamouring for the two to be given more ice time. And at this point, it’s tough to argue. I mean, you could say that MacLean is using those two in the perfect way right now and any change in zone starts/match ups/ice time could hurt their production but MacLean won’t know till he tries. I like the kid line but it might be worth trying those two with Zibanejad for a game or two to see if they can get Mika going.
-Craig Anderson. Not much else to say really. In his first start since being named the league’s second star, Anderson was solid again keeping the Senators in a game they probably should have been blown out in. I sort of worried about another letdown year from Anderson after he was given a new contract this off season but so far it has been the exact opposite. Anderson is earning every bit of that extension.
-Chris Neil took a stupid penalty last night. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. That hooking penalty in the first period that wiped out a Legwand goal was up there with his worst. It wasn’t a case of trying to play physical but rather just a lazy and unnecessary play. I’m not saying he should be benched after a play like that but it would be interesting to know where the line is for MacLean when it comes to Neil. Like everyone else on this team, Neil should have to earn his playing time because there’s a perfectly capable 4th line right winger in Erik Condra that is sitting in the press box right now.
-Not being able to get that second point against Winnipeg and Vancouver could come back to bite the Senators later in the season but it’s extremely important that they are at least finding a way to get something out of their losses. Despite stumbling a little bit of late, the Senators have still banked a few points along the way and are holding down that last playoff spot in the East. Tough stretch of games coming up so a few more two point nights would be nice.
