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As they say with sport at any level, a win is a win and that's what the Ottawa Senators did last night in defeating Detroit 5-2. Many on social media last night were quick to say, Ottawa beat a struggling Red Wings team and let's see if Ottawa can get a result against a playoff bound team. This was a total team effort as the Sens played in 5 man units all night long in helping Mads Sogaard get his career NHL win in his NHL debut in goal! Sogaard stopped 27 of 29 shots in his first career NHL start while getting plenty of help offensively in the first of a home and home with the Red Wings. Mathieu Joseph notched a hat trick in only his fifth game as a Senator(4 PTS on the night) and Michigan natives Josh Norris and Austen Watson had the other two goals for Ottawa. Now comes the question as DJ Smith has maintained all year long, you win and you're in? Does DJ go back to Anton Forsberg on Sunday afternoon or does he let Sogaard get his first home start in goal?
It was nice to see the balanced TOI on the blueline last night as each defenseman logged between 17-22 minutes each. Erik Brannstrom finished with a dash two on defense tonight and with the increased minutes and role on the blueline, he hasn't capitalized on this golden opportunity which has given Sens management the opportunity to see where he fits in long term with the club. When this blueline is healthy and the addition of Jake Sanderson in the near future, one has to wonder if he will be moved by the NHL Entry Draft.
Chris Tierney was a healthy scratch and Tyler Ennis replaced him while showing why he should be in the lineup every night as you noticed him on every shift. With limited call ups at this time of year, it would be nice to see one of the Sens prospects get a few games at the NHL level before the end of the season as Adam Gaudette had the least amount of TOI at the forward position. There's no point in dressing him to play eight minutes a night when a prospect can gain valuable NHL experience down the stretch with no expectations. Let's not forget Tierney asked to be traded last year when he was a healthy scratch, then he was hoping to be taken in the expansion draft by Seattle. On the Wally and Methot show, they said both DJ and Pierre Dorion hate him, and then Bobby Ryan was on the show later on and he said the feeling is mutual.
With only 7 home games left, I truly hope Sens fans fill the CTC! With the home against Florida last Saturday night, it was the first time all covid restrictions were lifted and the Sens had over 17k in the building. After tomorrow's afternoon game with Detroit in town, Ottawa will host Nashville/Winnipeg/Toronto/Montreal/NJ/Florida in that order for their remaining home games.
Tomorrow afternoon the Sens will be having a tribute to Eugene Melnyk prior to the start of the game. After news of his passing came earlier this week, it was great to see Ottawa fans choosing to look at the human side of things with what was a tumultuous last 5 years when it came to Eugene and this fanbase. I for one along with numerous others who write about the Sens criticized Melnyk for what occurred the last five seasons. But I was quick to remind myself after learning of his passing that if it wasn't for Mr. Melynyk, none of us would be writing about the Senators. He saved this team back in 2003 when nobody else was willing to step up and keep the team in Ottawa. During his first dozen years of owning this team, everyone in this city was so gracious for what he did at the team's worst moment back in 2003 when they went into bankruptcy. I hope Sens fans fill the CTC tomorrow to honour Mr. Melnyk for what he did not only for this team but for this city for almost 20 years. Filling the CTC would be a reminder to everyone around the league that this city deeply cares for and supports the Senators! But I will take it a step further, I hope Sens fans use the final 7 home games to finish the season on a high note for attendance and to build on the momentum heading into next season. Everyone in this City loves talking about the glory days. It would be great to consistently feel that energy at home games like we all have come to love for a large part of the Sens existence. Even the Sens players mentioned it in the postgame presser how the energy in the building gave them a lift against Florida. Let's give Mr. Melnyk a great tribute to him for allowing us to have a team by packing the rink tomorrow and for the rest of the season.
Comments, thoughts? Thanks for reading.
Kevin