FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Considering they came into the third period down by two goals, the Senators have to be happy to come away with a single point in this one. Especially against a Division rival. They were okay through forty minutes yet found themselves down by a couple goals. Give them credit for finding a way to battle back in the third but in the end, one point is only one point. Going to need some regulation wins eventually though.
-It hasn’t exactly been a banner year for Patrick Wiercioch and Cody Ceci yet last night may have been their worst game of the season. In all of the season previews, so much of the Senators success was placed on this second pairing and through the first twenty games, they haven’t been nearly good enough. The argument last night seemed to be about who was worse but the reality is this team desperately needs both of these guys to improve.
-Another game, another goal for Chris Wideman. He made it 3-2 last night with an absolutely perfect point shot. He knew he had plenty of traffic out front and rather than try to pick a corner, he took a hard, low wrist shot. It bounced off a stick and found a way through Jimmy Howard. There is absolutely no way Dave Cameron can take Wideman out of the line up when Cowen is ready to return.
-For the first time since the Paul MacLean era, I thought Mark Stone struggled. Seriously I think this is the first bad game he has had in like 60 games. Passes that usually click for him just weren’t last night and his stride seemed a little more sluggish than usual. Not sure if there’s an injury there but hopefully Stone can bounce back next game. Stone actually spent some time on the third line with Pageau and Chiasson in the third period.
-For all the issues the Senators have had this season, Bobby Ryan certainly hasn’t been one of them. He had a bit of a slow start but has taken his game to another level the last couple weeks. This looked like a tough regulation loss for the Senators until Bobby Ryan made a play only stars in this league can make. Ryan now has 16 points through 18 games and is on pace for a 30 goal season.
