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The Ottawa Senators played a solid road game tonight in Boston and with 6 players out due to covid protocols they battled and played hard for one another tonight in a 3-2 loss to the Bruins.
The Sens had a dynamite opening period, dictating the play, outskating the Bruins, and flat out wanting it more than Boston. Zach Stanford got his first goal as a Senator with a beautiful feed from Captain Tkachuk.
By the time the Bruins got their legs in the 2nd period as Ottawa had yet another slow start to the middle frame, thankfully they woke up mid-period and went to toe to toe with Boston, both in the physicality department and on the scoresheet. Ottawa tied up on a goal Zaitsev but then Boston scored late in the period to grab a 3-2 entering the intermission. If it wasn't for Matt Murray in the second period, this game could've got out of hand as Ottawa was outshot 13-6. Josh Brown delivered one of the best hits of the season by a Sens player with a textbook open-ice hit on Trent Frederic.
Ottawa didn't play desperate enough in the 3rd period only registering 9 shots on goal and generating very little on the powerplay. I had hoped for a little more pushback by the Sens in the third but overall, you have to be happy with how Ottawa played on the road tonight.
Alex Formenton was a buzz saw all game long, even dropping the gloves in the second period, and drew 2 penalties on the night, using his speed. He was extremely noticeable and it might've been his best game of this young season.
The new line combinations were a nice sight and the fact the coaching staff stuck with them for most of the game will only help ignite a few players that are scoreless to start the season. It seemed to give Tim Stutzle a positive jolt of energy with his new linemates.
Faceoff issues continued to be a problem tonight, there is far too much puck chasing going on and when you go 0 for 6 on the PP, it makes it difficult to win these tight divisional games. The 19 blocked shots by Ottawa showed their how they were willing to lay the body on the line tonight!
Egor Sokolov didn't look out of place at all in his NHL debut. He took short shifts, played physically, and always drove the net while getting some PP time on the 2nd unit! I hope the coaching staff gives him the 3 game homestand in Ottawa to show if he can consistently play at this level, or maybe give him a longer look?
Erik Brannstrom really stabilized things on the 2nd PP unit which was great to see. He really helped ease the issues Ottawa has had releasing from their defensive zone. He looked like a much more confident player tonight, with his puck-moving abilities on full display. Brannstrom is absolutely a top 6 defenseman on this team and even when everyone is healthy, he doesn't deserve to be in the AHL right now unless he plays himself out of a regular spot in the line-up.
Sadly DJ Smith doesn't reward him with more ice time. He had the least amount of time on the blueline(14:52) while others are given more opportunities after each mistake they made which has become a horrible pattern with this coaching staff.
Ottawa kicks off their 3 game homestand against the LA Kings on Thursday night who have now won 6 in a row! If they can bring the effort they brought tonight and continue to play as 5 man unit this Sens team will get some results on home ice.
So Sens fans, should Sokolov and Brannsrom be given a solid look over the next 5-10 games?
Thanks for reading. Kevin