The Ottawa Senators are in some kind of groove right now.
Three straight wins. Five of their last six. Eight wins in their last eleven. That win over the New York Rangers was probably one of their most complete efforts of the season too.
That first period was an absolute clinic. One of the most impressive periods we’ve seen from this team in years actually.
They have gone from a legitimate contender for 31st overall to a team that is smack-dab in the middle of a playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Heading into Sunday’s schedule, they sit four points back of the second Wild Card spot. Four points back of third in the Atlantic too.
It’s awfully early in the 2019/2020 NHL season but this certainly isn’t the kind of year we were all expecting.
A quick glance at the upcoming schedule suggests the Sens will be in tough to keep this thing rolling. Of their next 12 games, nine will be played on the road. If that’s not daunting enough, two of their three home games are against the Atlantic-leading Boston Bruins.
DJ Smith had the team on the ice yesterday, although it wasn’t a traditional practice.
The group went through a “skills development day”. Not something we’ve seen a lot over the last few years but a good way to keep the guys sharp during a long season.
Some good news as Scott Sabourin was back on the ice yesterday. Still no timetable for his return though. Christian Jaros was sent back to Belleville.
Here’s how the forwards lined up at practice this morning.
Tkachuk-L. Brown-Duclair
Paul-Pageau-C.Brown
Ennis-Tierney-White
Chlapik-Beaudin/Anisimov-Veronneau/Boedker
The blueline for tomorrow night is still up in the air. Cody Goloubef is questionable and Erik Brannstrom won’t make the trip. Meanwhile Nikita Zaitsev is expected to rejoin the team in Columbus.
