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The Ottawa Senators fell to the Anaheim Ducks in an early afternoon affair as part of Hockey Day in Canada. I already found it hard to get into these games with no fans in the stands, I found the energy level isn't what it's like when Ottawa plays a road game in the US or in Western Canada but today it seemed like the Ducks had a hard time increasing their energy level today. Ottawa outplayed them for much of the game but they couldn't finish their chances, plus the Sens were facing the opposition's number one goalie which they haven't had to do much this year. John Gibson was stellar in goal and was easily the difference today as Anton Forsberg had little work but allowed two soft goals. This was the Duck's 4th game in 6 nights on the road, fatigue showed in the third period as they only had 4 SOG, as Ottawa outshot Anaheim 45-20 in the game, but 16-4 in the 3rd period so Gibson stood tall when it counted most.
As I mentioned in the comment section of my blog yesterday, for whatever reason Filip Gustavsson didn't get the start in goal in Belleville last night and the BSens don't play again until Wed. night. Since Dec. 7th when he started against NYI, Gus has played 2 periods in Pittsburgh and 2 AHL games over a 7 weeks stretch, yet he's supposed to be the team's number one prospect in goal. Judging by his game action, you wouldn't know he is and management needs to fix this problem now. They should trade Forsberg now, as they say, buy low/sell high and that would be the case with Forsberg as I'm not sure his value will get any higher. With Matt Murray playing more consistent hockey of late, why not trade Forsberg and get Gus NHL action as he's barely seeing the net Belleville.
Mark Kastelic made his NHL debut but wasn't noticeable in very little ice time, while Egor Sokolov was on the ice again for another goal by the opposition giving him a -3 in the 2 games he has played since being recalled. Once Ottawa gets healthy, they can send him back down to Belleville because isn't anywhere close to being for the NHL.
There was a Josh Brown sighting, he actually get into a fight with former Sen Buddy Robinson and held his own. It sounds like Erik Brannstrom will return on Monday night when the Edmonton Oilers come to town and with the speed/transition game that the Oilers like to play, I think Ottawa would be better served to have Victor Mete in the lineup over Brown due to his foot speed. Brown struggled last year in every game he played against the Oilers and also did so two weeks ago in Edmonton.
On a positive note, Tyler Ennis scored again, a beautiful move in the slot to tie the game in the 1st period. Lassi Thomson continues to impress with his play and has been rewarded for it having the 2nd most TOI on the blueline for the third game in a row while getting time on the 2nd PP Unit and PK. Brady Tkachuk is now without a goal in 11 games but he led the way with 6 SOG, 2 hits but was a -1 while going 5 for 16 in the faceoff circle. For the second game in a row on home ice, Ottawa lost the faceoff battle and had more giveaways than the opposition which led to both Duck's goals. But with all the injuries it was easy for the Ducks coaching staff to match up against only one scoring line. Today's loss wasn't due to lack of effort, it came down to which team had more NHL bodies.
Comments, thoughts on today's game, or if you would trade Forsberg now? Is Lassi Thomson here to stay?
Thanks for reading. Kevin