FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-The result wasn’t what they were looking for but that was a pretty solid effort from the Senators. They seemed much more aggressive in all three zones and gave a tough Los Angeles Kings team a pretty good run. I don’t know how often this team is going to win in the next 50 games but efforts like that will always be fun to watch.
-Teams usually get a bit of a boost under a new Head Coach but there seemed to be a noticeable difference in Ottawa’s approach last night under Dave Cameron. The defence seemed far more involved in the play and really seemed to standing up Kings’ forwards at the blueline. They also looked far more aggressive on the forecheck and seemed to make things pretty difficult for the Kings in the neutral zone. See if that keeps up Saturday in Boston.
-Bobby Ryan. Bobby friggin Ryan. The Senators forward made his submission in the goal of the year sweepstakes with an awesome individual effort in the second period. Looked a little bit like the goal Hemsky scored against Tampa Bay last year. When the Senators traded for Ryan a couple summers ago, that was the type of goal I was hoping to see from time to time. Ryan has that ‘bring you out of your seat’ skill. More of that please, Bobby.
-The Senators have been relatively lucky when it comes to injuries but it seems to be finally catching up with them. Chris Neil left last night’s game with a lower body injury and was called ‘week to week’ by Coach Cameron. That may open up a spot on the roster for Pageau or it could just mean Milan Michalek comes off pretend IR. We shall see.
-The Senators are officially stuck in standings limbo right now. Close enough to the final playoff spot (4 points) that there’s still reason to be hopeful yet just as close to the bottom of the standings that the draft pick conversation has already started up. It’s pretty clear which way they seem to be trending right now but a couple wins would put them right back in the playoff picture. Goes without saying but that Saturday game in Boston is a big one for this hockey team
