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Senators bounce back with 7-4 win over Coyotes

October 19, 2016, 10:14 AM ET [70 Comments]
Jared Crozier
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Sometimes the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Give up too many shots, give up too many (questionable) goals, but somehow come away with a win. Not usually a road map to success, and it is like playing with fire.

The Senators had a more successful record last season when they were outshot (33-20-7) than when they outshot their opponent (5-14-2). Those reverse splits have carried over to this season, where they are now 1-1 when outshooting their opponent and have yet to lose when being outshot (2-1). They also allowed the first goal for the third time in four games this season, and are 2-1 in those games. Allowing the first goal was another problem last season (51/82 games), but their record was abysmal in those games, which you would tend to expect.

If nothing else, Guy Boucher wants to instill the confidence not to let a goal against derail the game plan. That was a point of emphasis at yesterday's morning press conference, as he felt that Detroit took over the game after a couple of quick goals and the Senators wilted. Boucher wants the team to play the same game whether tied, leading or trailing.

Such was the case against the Coyotes on Tuesday night, where they were able to put six goals past Coyotes netminding, three each past starter Mike Smith and Louis Domingue, who came in as an injury replacement as the midway point of the third period approached. Erik Karlsson's highlight reel empty netter (remember when people said you wouldn't want him on the ice defending a lead in the last minute) capped a good offensive night for the Senators.

Ottawa finally tallied on the power play, and also scored shorthanded for the second straight game as part of the offensive outburst, but once again they had a letdown that made the game closer than it should have been.

Thomas Chabot played just over 7 minutes in his NHL debut, and finished with a -2, being on the ice for a couple of third period Coyotes goals from Jordan Martinook. Chabot's turnover at his own blue line that led directly to the Arizona third goal won't endear him to the coaching staff, and the fourth goal appeared to go in off of the rookie defenseman after Martinook's hish-slot tip in. It was a learning experience for him, and I hope the coach goes right back to him and doesn't put him back in the press box right away over a couple of mistakes.

While the goal of cutting down the shots against is a work in progress for Boucher, he got goals from 7 different players as the expected and unexpected sources of offense combined in this one.

However, allowing an average of 4 goals against is not a recipe for success and if not for the Senators blocking as many shots as they have (credited for 23 against the Coyotes) the shot totals would be even more daunting than they are. It is equal parts confusing and frustrating, both the totals and the results of those games that end up being the opposite of what you would expect in most cases.

The more I see Tom Pyatt play, the more I appreciate what he brings. When he was signed I didn't really consider him as a legitimate contender for a roster spot out of camp, but he has proven to be a solid penalty killer with some speed and a forechecking ability that the Senators need. The fact that he has chipped in offensively in the early-going doesn't hurt either. What I thought was a depth signing at the time could turn out to be one of the steals of the summer, at least from his play early on.

So while the Senators still chase that elusive complete effort, they are still managing to put wins in the bank. If they win 3 out of every 4 games this season, and can limit the losses to one or two in a row instead of 5 or 6 at a time, they will put themselves in a good position come April.

The good thing is, they have a couple of days off to work out some of the kinks before their next game at home on Saturday night before they head out for a Western Canadian road trip next week.
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