Sens Writer: Senators Beat Lightning In Atlantic Division Showdown

Nice write-up. Thanks for doing this.

As for Green .... I don't believe it is up to him to get the players up and focused on Utah. It is up to Green and the coaching staff to draw up the game plan, set the lines, and continue to try to instill their team structures. It is up to the players indiviadually and as a group to find the energy and focus within themselves and play with this intensity on a game to game level.

This is where I think the Sens have failed. Too many times, too many players have strolled through a game with a lack of consistency in their individual play. This needs to change for the teams overall direction to change.

There’s a lot of sky is falling with the fans of this team. They’re 3-2 with a -1 overall. Is that optimal? No, but they’re on the bubble which is exactly where they were predicted to be.

The defensive structure needs to improve and they aren’t deep at center, but getting back your brand new starting goalie will help. Hopefully at ten games in, they’ll be at least 6-4. Find ways to win.

Good write up.
All good points.

For me it's still about coaching. They play well enough to have a lead at the end of the first. The 2nd period shows up, and Cooper who is a world class coach brings out different match ups even without last change. Instant confusion on Ottawa's side. Good teams who are losing will adapt and change who and what they throw at you. Better teams anticipate and adapt. The Lighting started timing and targeting certain weaker players being on the ice and just "mid-play" and out of order throw their strongest out against them. It causes breakdowns or lengthy stretches in Ottawa's end BAM a goal. You can't just sit there as a coaching staff and go "well it's four lines and it's four lines and that's how it'll be - good luck JBD it's only Kucherov and Guentzel out there you'll be fine"

If I'm at home watching it, an arm chair coach with barely a sniff of competitive hockey in my life---and seeing it LIVE. How can a muli-million dollar coaching staff and spotter crew not see what's going on? Green was the most significant hire in the offseason. So far C-

It was a great win on Saturday, especially since Tampa seemed dialled in and gunning for 2 points. The addition of Giroux to the Norris-Batherson line was a great move as it creates 2 lines that are very capable offensively.

Regarding Chabot, it will be interesting to see what improvements are made throughout the year being paired with a competent defensive defenceman in a second D pairing role.

As for JBD, he looks to play fairly well for the most part but then does something that contributes to a goal against. It seems his sub-conscious acts on negative thoughts/worries that he has about screwing up. Maybe he needs a sports psychologist.

I'm hoping for at least 4 points on the road trip, especially if Ullmark gets 2 of the 3 starts.

I found the effort was solid overall. Was not a perfect game but you can’t complain about the result. Batherson has been criminally underrated for awhile and I hope he goes on a bit of a hot streak. He has great offensive IQ.

The defence is still a work in progress. I like Jensen but I am not sure he’s done anything to balance the left/right side issue that people posed to be one of the issues of the defence. We need a solid 10 games with a healthy blueline to make that call. Chabot still looks like a fresh 20-year-old in his own zone still. Lack of awareness and urgency has led to some not great looking goals against so far this year. I am not sure you will ever have a partner that can erase those errors. It is good to see Sanderson is taking a massive step to be the teams true #1 d-man.

Is it possible Chabot is already burnt out? Years and years of being overused, a lot of deeply flawed habitualities ingrained. Starting to give off Gardiner vibes - he's the number one liability on the backend and risks becoming a real whipping boy if he maintains this play. If it continues to be a problem I would put Zub with him when he gets back - Zub is far better at covering ass than Jensen. Can't help but feel that Chabot should have been the one moved over Chychrun.

Kubalik comes from DET scoring 20 goals and 45 points (-15) to come to Ottawa and score 11 goals and 15 points (-30).

Perron comes from DET scoring 17 goals and 47 points (-12) to come to Ottawa and has 0 goals and 0 points (-4) in his first 5 games. I'm sure he will do better than Kubalik did with Ottawa, but how much better?

IMO, I suspect that Chabot is just taking more time to convert his game and become more defensive as it is recognized that Sanderson is now top dog offensively on this team.

On this team, I suspect that Perron has been playing injured so far this season. I believe he is not with the team on this road trip. But Perron's strength is going to be what he brings to the room. He is a 3rd line player, so I don't expect a lot of points from him. Besides, new team, it will take time to fit his game into the Sens style.


Update on Perron. According to Coming In Hot Brent Wallace, there are personal issues that Perron is dealing with ... illness at home (wife? child?). Unsure. But serious enough to understand why his head may not be 100% into hockey right now. Time to back away and give him some time.

Ullmark out again. Levi called up.

Ugh.

Did Sens get a new goalie coach? The little locker room interview Ullmark did yesterday made him look really tired. He looked very similar to Matt Murray... Just looked dragged down and beat up.

What's happening with our goalies? Lol.