FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-It might seem premature to label a homestand ‘critical’ this early in the season but it really does feel that way for the Ottawa Senators. Not only is it important that they get off to a better start but with the way the schedule shakes out, and so home games and rest days through October and November, banking points early is just so important and it will ultimately make the difference between a push for the playoffs and another season on the outside looking in. This team seems keenly aware of the significance and they’ve come out guns blazing. Every part of their game looks good right now and last night was some of their best work yet. Just pure domination of the Washington Capitals from about the five-minute mark onward. Another statement win on home ice that sets up a huge showdown with Alex DeBrincat and the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon.
-In the depths of his long road back from injury, Josh Norris almost certainly dreamt of nights like that. Although a return that good probably seemed a little far fetched. Playing in his first game in some 270 days, Josh Norris didn’t wait long to make his presence felt. In both instances, it was his high-end hockey sense on display, knowing exactly where to be on the backdoor to take that Drake Batherson feed and then finding that soft spot in the offensive zone to unleash a perfect shot. This team has obviously missed Norris but last night served as a quick reminder just how good he can be. A legitimate game-changer that can take over a game at any moment.
-With that said, those first couple Josh Norris shifts were equal parts exciting and terrifying. As you might expect. With all the speculation related to his health over the last few weeks and the anticipation surrounding his eventual return, it’s fair to say that all eyes were on Norris early in this one. That first faceoff. That first hit in front of the Ottawa bench. Truly harrowing stuff. But once he had those early moments out of the way, you could see him getting more comfortable in real time. Certainly wasn’t shying away from contact at any point and looked like a faster version of the Josh Norris we saw for all of eight games last season. Really encouraging debut.
-If there is one consistent theme through the first four games of the season for the Senators, it’s speed. Everything they are doing is fast and it’s putting opposing teams on their heels. Breaking out of their own end with speed. The quicker team through the neutral zone. Attacking in waves in the offensive zone. Aggressive on the forecheck and forcing turnovers all over the ice. The speed of this team is just unlike anything we’ve seen in recent years and is going to be what drives the Senators over the course of an 82-game season. There is just so much talent in this lineup and it really is a treat to watch.
-When the Ottawa Senators locked Jake Sanderson into an eight-year deal this summer, it raised some eyebrows. Although it’s worth pointing out, not one of those eyebrows was located in the Nation’s Capital. And that’s because to truly appreciate the talent and sky-high potential of this player, you have to watch him on a nightly basis. Plays like the one he made on TJ Oshie will never make their way onto the highlight reels at the end of the night but that combination of skating and defensive awareness just doesn’t normally exist in players at that age. Just a jaw-dropping play that is quickly becoming the norm for Sanderson. Oh and he plans on beating goalies clean with his shot more this year too. Yeesh.
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