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After being dominated by the Leafs on Saturday (the score was flattering), the Sens hopefully have had a couple of days to reflect.
Smith has keyed on breaking the puck out of the zone (as he should) and line combos are being adjusted slightly. In the first game, I thought Norris held his own, but the 2nd game, he got beaten quite a bit. He's only had a handful of NHL experience so far, so I'd expect this to happen once in a while.
Stepan sucks at faceoffs (a career 45.9 percent guy) and should not be taking faceoffs that matter (I believe it was the 2nd goal that was a direct result). In fact, the entire team has been poor at faceoffs. Cedric Paquette has a decent 49.5, but nothing special.
I can't find AHL stats for faceoffs, but Norris was good in his brief stint last year, but got owned in the first 2 game vs Toronto (38%).
This was a point of contention going into this season. Anisimov is a career 46.1% guy - which sucks, Tierney is career below 50% (49.1).
Losing a faceoff with this kind of team obviously gives your opponent puck possession - and when you're already having issues clearing the zone and pushing the puck up, you're in trouble. The Sens will need to find a way to get Tkachuk in there more often (he's nothing special in the dot either, but he's a bull) and they'll need to scramble the draws if they can't win them.
Penalty kill is coming together, looked okay vs the Leafs, although they tend to run around a bit - and Toronto employed a third man up high which blew Ottawa's mind.
Stutzle looks as advertised. He's not afraid to be physical (leading to a ridiculous call that basically ended Saturday's game), he's gaining confidence and we see he has a little of that hand-eye going on
Batherson is another huge bright spot. Maybe Ottawa has the right idea developing these guys that are rough around the edges for longer...because Drake looks great!
Neither had a bad game, but we see what happens when Chabot and Tkachuk are quieted down (again, hats off to the Leafs who played really well).
Let's see what Ottawa can do vs an undermanned Jets team tonight, where it appears Laine may be out (no confirmation yet). Former Senator Demelo is out tonight celebrating the birth of his child.
Go Sens!
Smith has keyed on breaking the puck out of the zone (as he should) and line combos are being adjusted slightly. In the first game, I thought Norris held his own, but the 2nd game, he got beaten quite a bit. He's only had a handful of NHL experience so far, so I'd expect this to happen once in a while.
Stepan sucks at faceoffs (a career 45.9 percent guy) and should not be taking faceoffs that matter (I believe it was the 2nd goal that was a direct result). In fact, the entire team has been poor at faceoffs. Cedric Paquette has a decent 49.5, but nothing special.
I can't find AHL stats for faceoffs, but Norris was good in his brief stint last year, but got owned in the first 2 game vs Toronto (38%).
This was a point of contention going into this season. Anisimov is a career 46.1% guy - which sucks, Tierney is career below 50% (49.1).
Losing a faceoff with this kind of team obviously gives your opponent puck possession - and when you're already having issues clearing the zone and pushing the puck up, you're in trouble. The Sens will need to find a way to get Tkachuk in there more often (he's nothing special in the dot either, but he's a bull) and they'll need to scramble the draws if they can't win them.
Penalty kill is coming together, looked okay vs the Leafs, although they tend to run around a bit - and Toronto employed a third man up high which blew Ottawa's mind.
Stutzle looks as advertised. He's not afraid to be physical (leading to a ridiculous call that basically ended Saturday's game), he's gaining confidence and we see he has a little of that hand-eye going on
Batherson is another huge bright spot. Maybe Ottawa has the right idea developing these guys that are rough around the edges for longer...because Drake looks great!
Neither had a bad game, but we see what happens when Chabot and Tkachuk are quieted down (again, hats off to the Leafs who played really well).
Let's see what Ottawa can do vs an undermanned Jets team tonight, where it appears Laine may be out (no confirmation yet). Former Senator Demelo is out tonight celebrating the birth of his child.
Go Sens!
