Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad For The Senators

Stop the presses! The Ottawa Senators are on pace to finish 41-0 at home; Chris Tierney score 82 goals; while the power play is going net 107.

Senators’ fans can only hope as much. These numbers are unrealistic, of course. However, the team has started well out the gate, victorious in two of their opening three games. Last season it took the club 11 to match this total.

Here are a few reasons why the Senators are off to a solid start.

Playing preseason games

Having the benefit of seven preseason games has certainly helped. With no exhibition games scheduled during the 2021 pandemic-shortened campaign, and phasing in as many as nine new players, the Senators didn’t get untracked until almost one-third of the season had already passed them by.

This season, the only fresh additions to the Senators lineup from outside the organization are defenseman Michael Del Zotto, Nick Holden, and forward Zach Sanford. All others appeared in at least one game for the Senators or their American League affiliate Belleville. Forwards Tyler Ennis and Scott Sabourin return via free agency from the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs respectively.

Improved power play

The Senators’ power play is responsible for four of the club’s seven goals in total. The team currently sits sixth league-wide with an unsustainable 44 per cent success rate on the PP. For reference, last season’s Senators PP ran at 15.5 percent, 26th overall. However, if the club can improve on these numbers, and early signs say they can, the end result should be more wins than losses.

Another bonus early on is the play of their second unit. Between Ennis and Tierney, the pair have combined for three of their four tallies.

While the first unit led by Thomas Chabot, Drake Batherson, Josh Norris strives for finesse and puck movement, the second floods the net, hoping for rebounds and tip-ins.

A new Chris Tierney?

A pending unrestricted free agent, Chris Tierney entered this season with something to prove. And the 27-year old hasn’t disappointed. Yes, only one of his team-high three goals has gone in off his stick, Tierney is scoring because of his willingness to go to the net.

Having lost 13 pounds in the offseason, dropping from 204 to 191, Tierney has more jump in his game. He’s also admitted suffering an injury prior to training camp last season which obviously hampered him during the 2021 campaign.

Another power play opportunity, another Chris Tierney power play goal 💪#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/OjWHo5Ezt2

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 17, 2021

Connor Brown just gets it done

Connor Brown isn’t flashy, but he may be the Senators most valuable forward in terms of usage. Brown consistently leads Senators forwards in time-on-ice. The Toronto area resident played 22:49 in Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars – tying a high of three assists. There are only nine current NHL forwards averaging more than Brown’s 22:01, though, two of them have only played one game.

Brown is head coach D.J. Smith‘s go-to in all situations. Whether the Senators are protecting a lead or down one in the final minute of a period or game, Brown is a mainstay on the ice.

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Youngsters are getting it done

The list is long of the Senators’ youngsters that continue to excel. You wouldn’t know centre Shane Pinto has only 15 NHL career games under his belt. Like Brown, Pinto is a trusted player of Smith, and also has the capability of playing in all situations. The 20-year old is also sent over the boards by his coach to take key draws.

Tim Stützle is just scratching the surface with his ability. He appears more confident in his play – displaying ability to find his teammates with crisp passes and beating opposition d-men with his skate to stick moves.

Then there’s Drake Batherson and Josh Norris who drive the Senators’ top line along with Stützle. This may very well change with the return of Brady Tkachuk. Expect Tkachuk to climb back into his regular space at practice Tuesday.

It’ll be interesting how Smith draws up his lines in the coming days.

Goaltenders shine

The Senators are allowing average of 37 shots per game. Whether it’s score effects or not, it’s too many to give up. Anton Forsberg and Filip Gustavsson have given the team an opportunity to win in each of their games, and that’s all you can ask of the goaltenders.

A hockey nomad last season, property of four different clubs, Forsberg backstopped the Senators to a 3-2 victory opening night over the Maple Leafs, making a career high 46 saves.

Filip Gustavsson continued where he left off in May – defeating the Stars in his season debut Sunday. “Gus” possesses a 6-1-2 record at the NHL level.

Matt Murray is set to return this week and may see his first action as early as Thursday versus San Jose. It’s hoped Murray can also pick up where he finished off the last one once goalie coach Zac Bierk was hired. However, if he falters, the Senators remain in good hands with Forsberg and Gustavsson.

G-love that save from Anton Forsberg! 😍 #NHLFaceOff

📺: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/uEVY6yXLpz #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/RY5aZHdP40

— NHL (@NHL) October 17, 2021

Something to look for this season will be the Senators’ play versus US-based teams. Sunday marked the first occasion the team played a non-Canadian club since March 5,2020.  And they fared well. Smith quoted postgame, the Senators were able to match the Stars in their physicality and skating. The team was credited with 30 hits and forced Dallas into 15 giveaways. The head coach termed his players were playing “big boy hockey.”

The team only faces one Canadian team (Calgary Flames) in their next 12 games and two in their next 20.

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