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Game 3 Preview: Senators vs. Jets |
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After opening their season with a 1-1-0 split against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Ottawa Senators will have a golden opportunity to push their record to the right side of the win column tomorrow night. They are scheduled to take on the shorthanded, tired Winnipeg Jets on home ice.
Unlike the Senators, who have been resting since Saturday night, the Jets played in Toronto on Monday and… it was a bit of an adventure for them. Winnipeg was outplayed by a significant margin, losing the shots on goal battle 38-28 and the expected goal share battle 70/30 (Natural Stat Trick). Had it not been the heroics of Connor Hellebuyck, the result could have been far worse than a 3-1 loss.
Considering the list of significant injuries facing the Jets, that kind of result against a good team like Toronto isn’t particularly surprising. On the second night of a back-to-back, it might give a more average team like Ottawa a chance. The Senators need to take advantage.
If they are going to do so, Ottawa will do it with a miraculously healthy lineup. Even after two games against the Maple Leafs, and more names added to the COVID list leaguewide, DJ Smith’s Senators remain basically intact:
Perhaps the most noteworthy – and positive – thing about the practice lines from Monday is that Josh Norris was right back in that top-line pivot position, even after being replaced by Derek Stepan for a few shifts on Saturday. One of the major keys in developing young players like Norris is giving them space to make mistakes without being scared of immediate demotion. That Norris is going to get another immediate shot on the first line sends a positive signal to the player specifically, but also to other prospects in the system.
Now, the whole “let them make mistakes” approach shouldn’t apply to everyone; some players just are what they are, and aren’t going to develop any further even with a long leash. Cedric Paquette is probably one of those players, which makes his continued presence in the lineup a little bit shocking after two disappointing performances. It’s hard to imagine that Smith and the Senators will put up with another showing like the first two, regardless of whether they see him as a valuable penalty-killing piece. Paquette needs to have a good game in the worst way; nothing short of solid will do.
No matter what happens with Paquette and Norris tomorrow night, the overall mission for Ottawa is simple: Win the game. The hockey gods and schedule makers have teed this one up for them, leaving execution as the only thing remaining on the agenda.
As always, thanks for reading.
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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