The title of this is stating the obvious to the fanbase based on the current performance on the ice. The Ottawa Senators are trending upward in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. The Ottawa Senators are 8-2-1 in their last 11 games contested, including a successful weekend back-to-back over the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins. This stretch has placed the Senators as the second wild card team in the Eastern Conference, and eighth in the overall standings. With 32 points, they are tied with the Philadelphia Flyers in the standings, who have played one more game than Ottawa.
What has Gone Right?
1. Linus and Henry Ullmark
Ullmark has won his last six straight starts with a 0.83Gaa and a 0.972 SV%. Two of the six starts were shutouts. This stretch started with the recent interview the starting goaltender had with the media, mentioning how his son Henry is the happiest guy in the world after seeing the recent snowfall.
Overall, 7-0-1 in last eight with no games allowing 4 or more goals in the month of December.
Ullmark, now at three shutouts, is now tied with Patrick Lalime (1999-2000) and Ron Tugnutt (1996-1997) fo rthe third most shutouts by a goaltender in his first season with the Senators, only behind the first place duo of Dominik Hasek (2005-06) and Mike Condon (2016/17) at 5. Speaking of five, Linus Ullmark also became the fifth Sen to have consecutive road shutouts. He joined the short list with Damian Rhodes; Craig Anderson; Andrew Hammond; and Lalime.
Anton Forsberg, despite starting the hot streak, lost the two games in regulation, and has been battling injury from a warmup stretch.
2. The Offense
The Senators' offense was scoring, having 31 goals from 14 different goal scorers. Drake Batherson, Brady Tkachuk, and Adam Gaudette combined for 15 of the 31 goals; the other 11 remaining had the other 16. The Sens' powerplay (26.5%) and faceoff percentages (52.5%) remain in the top ten.
3. Adversity
Two different stories came out during this last month, including the Brady Tkachuk to New York Rangers trade rumors and the emergency goaltending situation with EBUG Zach Dietz. The Senators were also outshot 288 Shots to 274.
4. The Top Line
Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and Drake Batherson combine for 36 points in the 10 games, with 11 goals and 25 assists. Massive success these three have been this season.
5. Pointless Streak Snapped
Shane Pinto snapped his goalless streak with a two goal effort in the 3-0 shutout against Carolina.
6. Defense Scoring
Nick Jensen and Thomas Chabot got goals over the weekend, both over the back to back weekend against Carolina and Pittsburgh.
7. Goal Scorer Gaudette
Adam Gaudette is not scoring just goals, but also had two assists for seven points in the previously played 10 game stretch.
Last 10 stats (Nov 25 - Dec 16)
Tim Stutzle 1G, 11A 12 points in last 10 games
Drake Batherson 5G, 8A 13 points in last 10 games
Brady Tkachuk 11 points 5G 6A in last 10
Josh Norris 4G 1A last 10
Claude Giroux 1G 3A last 10
Adam Gaudette 5G, 2A 7p last 10
Jake Sanderson 4 assists last 10
Thomas Chabot 1G 3A prev 10
Nick Jensen 1g 4a last 10
Nick Cousins 2g 2a 4p last 8
Amadio 4a L10
Greig 2a l10
Pinto 2g l10
Gregor G, A, L9
JBD G, A, L10
Reinhardt G, L3
Kleven G L10
Ostapchuk A L10
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