Senators’ Filip Gustavsson Resets His Game

Recalled from Belleville Wednesday, Filip Gustavsson finally had an opportunity to tend goal for the Ottawa Senators Sunday. Filling in for an injured Matt Murray, Gustavsson made 31 stops in a 2-1 loss to the New York Rangers – his first game at the NHL level since January 20 in Pittsburgh – a game in which he mopped up for Anton Forsberg.

It hasn’t been an easy season for the 23-year old who’s played only nine games since the end of November, five of which were in the American League.

A pair of reasons can be directly attributed to his lack of starts. One; Gustavsson was one of many Senators placed in Covid-19 Protocol this season. It was his second go-around with the coronavirus, having originally contracted the illness while playing in Sweden in late 2020. Two; the netminder has seen more than his share of games at both levels postponed causing chaos with goalie rotations.

It’s no surprise, the Skelleftea, Sweden native has what can be termed an up and down 2021-22 season to date, full of inconsistency.

Prior to Sunday’s contest versus the Rangers, “Gus” posted a pedestrian 3-8-1 record, 3.80 goals against average, .886 save percentage, each a gaudy number during his time with Ottawa.

In part to consecutive wins in his past two games (3-2-0, 2.80 GAA, .901 Sv Pct), Gustavsson’s stats in Belleville are marginally better.

It was originally thought the Pittsburgh Penguins 2016 55th overall Entry Draft selection would challenge for ice time in Ottawa this season, especially after a strong finish down the stretch to close the 2021 NHL campaign.

Gustavsson made a successful NHL debut on March 17 replacing an injured Joey Daccord.  Entering the game during the third period, Gustavsson allowed the Senators to come back and tie the Vancouver Canucks, not giving up a goal before succumbing in a shootout that saw his future teammate Adam Gaudette tally the game-winner. The goaltender posted a tidy 5-1-2 record, 2.16 GAA, .922 Sv Pct over his nine appearances with the parent club.

With his two victories for Belleville and combined with his solid play Sunday, Gustavsson appears to be re-energized.

In a somewhat refreshing post-game media availability, Gustavsson was frank and honest on how the sport has the ability to add mental strain to an individual, especially one whose position can literally be the difference between winning and losing.

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The Senators’ goalie admitted his subpar record with the big club wore him down mentally.

“When I was up here, I had a losing streak. Of course, it gets to your head sometimes. I had to go down there to reset my head and start playing like I was used to.”

Gustavsson was able to recognize that his game needed a “reset” before he lost total confidence.

“I struggled with the first two games. I didn’t feel like I was myself the last two games I was here. Me and (Belleville goalie coach) Justin Peters had to go back to the basics, and start from the beginning. I had two great games before I was called up there. It feels like I’m back in my head. It’s a mental game.”

He’s also under the realization the importance of performing well at the NHL level comes with pressure from all sides of the business.

“It’s a lot different. There’s a lot more going on behind the scenes. Of course, you’ve got more pressure. You’ve got more people watching. You’ve got bigger bosses watching the games all the time. Overall, it’s just more pressure coming up here.”

It’s an internal battle Gustavsson has to overcome to become a consistent NHL regular. But judging by his performance versus the Rangers, the youngster is on the right track.

Just by getting the start, Gustavsson feels refreshed.

“(It was) huge, you never knew when you were going to get your next chance. All of a sudden you play, then you don’t play for another three weeks, so it was kind of like a fresh start to get comfortable with the pace, and be confident right away when you jump in.”

“I want to play as many as I’m allowed to. I hope I get a few more games to show I can play at this level,” added Gustavsson Sunday.

But for the time being, the backstop will have to continue to ramp up his game in Belleville. With the beckoning return of Murray, Gustavsson was re-assigned to the AHL Monday. But there is no doubt Senators’ fans will see more of him in the future.

Goalie Anton Forsberg is a pending unrestricted free agent and there’s a chance he’s moved by the March 21 trade deadline, providing the club is offered the right return. If Forsberg does remain a Senator post-deadline, Gustavsson is still armed with a one-way deal for 2022-23, virtually guaranteeing him an NHL roster spot.

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