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Better effort, same result as Ottawa loses to Toronto again |
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Tonight was a far different game when it came to the effort level then what we saw last week when Toronto visited the Senators but the result was the same as the Leafs won 3-1. Former Senator Mike Amadio scored the winner, while the Leafs added a late empty netter.
The first period had a very slow start it as Ottawa didn't register their first shot on goal until over 12 minutes into the period and that was at the end of the Sens second power play! They did manage to increase the intensity as the period wore on, as they were outshot 11-7 by the end of the period. Matt Murray definitely kept his team in it early on as Toronto dictated the play but he got caught deep in his net on the Leafs first goal. Josh Brown took a dumb penalty purely from not moving his feet. This guy has no business being in the Sens top 6 defensemen coming opening night.
The Leafs iced another AHL team with a few veterans while Ottawa had many more NHLers that are expected to be in the line-up on opening night. Colin White was injured five minutes into the game as he fell awkwardly on his right side. One has to wonder if he dislocated his elbow the way he held is right arm when leaving the ice. If White is out for any extended period of time, Sens GM Pierre Dorion needs to sign Tyler Ennis now before another team offers him a contract as Ennis can play the wing or center. Ennis was super tonight, he was so smart along the wall, he carries the puck more than most forwards on this team and creates chances for his linemates which is all you can ask for. Ottawa could move Nick Paul to center if White is out long term, as it was Paul's work along the boards that led to the Sens first goal of the night. Nick Holden got the puck to net and Connor Brown tipped it home. It was nice to see Paul get a lot of time on the power play tonight as well.
The first line looked really good tonight, Drake Batherson was hard on the puck and played the body on a few occasions knocking down a few Leafs players. Alex Formenton and Josh Norris used their speed to create scoring chances, while drawing the odd penalty too. I must say, with Brady Tkachuk not in camp, it has definitely opened up the eyes of many fans with how Formenton has shown instant chemistry on the line. Batherson playing the body the way he did tonight with 9 hit was dynamite (3rd last year on the team with hits 103) and it sure seems like this trio can make some noise.
Other quick thoughts -
Shane Pinto continued his strong play tonight with Brown and Tim Stutzle on the second line. Pinto dominated in the faceoff circle and his 200 foot game is super to watch.
The defense pairing of Michael Del Zotto and Nick Holden was very solid. Could Holden be the next Dylan Demelo? We don't see some of these players as often playing on the west coast and his game reminds me a lot of Demelo, with a bigger frame.
Tim Stutzle was all over the ice, registering 5 SOG and 4 hits.
It was nice to see Ottawa rebound with a strong second period, out chancing, out hitting and out shooting the Leafs 13-7, while scoring the only goal to tie up the game.
Did anyone notice Zach Sanford or Victor Mete tonight? I sure didn't!
Were there more than 3,000 fans at the CTC tonight?
Ottawa finishes the pre-season with 2 games on the road beginning at Montreal this Thursday night at 7pm EST.
Lastly, be sure to listen into the Cam and Strickland podcast tomorrow. Here is a link below.
I am told it will drop by 12AM Central Time. They will be talking about Brady Tkachuk's desire for a bridge contract versus a long term deal in Ottawa!
www.camandstrick.com
Thanks for reading.
Kevin
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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