FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-“A great game, wire to wire”. That’s how the Head Coach put it in his post-game media availability and really, it’s hard to argue with that assessment. Special teams ends up being a big part of the story in this one obviously but overall, the Senators should feel pretty good about how they played. These two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins are critically important for Ottawa’s dwindling playoff hopes and to a man, they seemed to recognize the significance. There were a few references to this being a “mini-playoff series” with the next game set for Friday night in Pittsburgh. Sens lead the series 1-0.
-Brady Tkachuk stole the show in this one with another “put the team on his back” performance. Three assists and a game-winning goal and just a general ball of energy from the moment the puck dropped. And while his on-ice effort ends up being the difference in this game, it was another one of those nights where you really appreciate the off-ice impact of a guy like Tkachuk. The story of Daniel Maloney was front and centre all night and as if often the case, it was Tkachuk that seemed to be driving a lot of it. As an organization, the Senators have clearly taken a big step forward in strengthening that impact with the community around them and Brady Tkachuk is a huge part of that. He just…gets it. Incredible hockey player but an even better person.
-We talked about it in the Game Day post and in his first game back, we got to see it play out in real time. The return of Josh Norris has a positive impact on the entire lineup. Not only does it create match-up problems for teams trying to shut down one of the two top lines but it puts Shane Pinto in a better spot on that third line (he’ll need some wingers, eventually) and it provides a little boost for all four lines. This was certainly as good as the Senators have looked offensively in some time and that makes sense, considering the quality of player they’re adding to the lineup. Norris didn’t register a point but he was solid in his return and generally, it just felt different with him back out there.
-It’s a little bit scary to think where the Ottawa Senators would be right now if not for an elite first half from their special teams. The power play gets a lot of the headlines but the penalty kill has also done their part, sitting 7th in the NHL after last night’s action. The power play won this game for the Senators though, plain and simple. Well that and the incessant cheating and then whining about the cheating from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Four power play goals on the night (for the first time since 2005) and now humming along at an obscene 31.4% since November 23rd, which sits 2nd in the NHL over that stretch. Fourth-ranked power play in the league after last night. Oh and they just got Josh Norris back too.
-This shouldn’t come as news at this point but Tim Stützle is a star in every way possible. Another goal last night, his 20th of the season, and on another play that lifted fans out of their seats and possibly did permanent damage the poor ol’ ankles of Sidney Crosby. His play is increasingly jaw dropping but his maturity off the ice is super encouraging too. Listening to his post-game comments on a nightly basis it’s almost always about his teammates and about how he can play better individually. Even when he dominates. He just has that drive to be better at all times and that should be a terrifying possibility for the rest of the league. That’s what makes a good player into an elite player.
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