It wasn't the way the Senators wanted to finish the road trip where there was a lot on the line. There was so much potential for good to come out of the New Jersey Swamp, but Travis Zajac, Joe Blandisi and Kyle Palmeiri combined with Craig Anderson to make sure that wasn't going to happen.
Not that Anderson was entirely to blame for the atrocious first period, because he was hung out to dry in many instances, but the .429 SP (4 goals on 7 shots in less than 14 minutes) certainly won't be going on his highlight reel.
It was a nightmare start to the game, aided by penalties and unfortunate bounces, but Anderson didn't look sharp nor did the team in front of him. They settled down in the second and third and even made things interesting late in the third, probably long after many of you might have turned it off in disgust and flipped over to The Blacklist. While there might be something to be gained from their play in the final 40 minutes, the damage had already been done and New Jersey didn't show much interest in pushing the play and were content with the 5 goal lead they had built up.
Unfortunately Kyle Turris did miss the game, his first miss since joining the Senators. He fell 4 games short of Chris Phillips' team record 311 straight games and his absence was certainly felt and those who might not appreciate what he brings even when not scoring were given a wake-up call. Not sure if Turris and Methot (or Wayne Gretzky for that matter) would have made enough of a difference in this one though.
Jared Cowen made his return after a 7 game banishment to the press box, and did what he had to do. He was on for one goal against, didn't have any giveaways and was credited with a team-high 9 hits in just under 15 minutes of play. Nothing flashy but considering how the game went downhill early, it is tough to get a read on his (or anyone else's) actual performance.
If Ottawa had taken advantage of one of the first 3 third period power plays, they might have been in a better spot for an epic comeback, but it was far too little, much too late and the final of 6-3 is probably kind to the Senators.
Well now that the road trip is over, and the Senators come home with a 2-3 record on said trip, it is time to start making some hay at home. Ottawa has 10 of their next 13 games at home, and they will not get time to rest before it starts, because they are right back at it tonight....
The Senators host the New York Islanders for the second time this season. Ottawa beat the Isles 3-2 in overtime on Dec. 5th after falling behind 2-0 and rallying in the third period.
There is hope that Turris might be able to return to face the well-rested Isles, who haven't played since Sunday, while this is the back to back situation for Ottawa also having made a cross-country trek in the time since New York last played.
Those aren't great circumstances for the Senators to face, especially with the first home game after a long road trip stigma hanging over them. Craig Anderson will probably get the start after getting shelled, although Hammond looked OK in relief and might get a shot to turn things around.
Regardless of how good the goaltending is, if there is a repeat performance from anyone in the lineup things could get away early again. The Senators have had some slow starts this season, but they are coming off probably their worst and need to fix that.
The Islanders are battling with the Rangers and, after last night's win over the Sens, the Devils for positioning in the Metropolitan Division. And they are doing it with their star, John Tavares, being rather pedestrian. Tavares doesn't lead the team in either goals or assists and sits with just 31 points in 42 games, far below what we have come to expect from a player who was an MVP candidate last season. The Islanders are a good, young balanced team that has played good defense and gotten stellar goaltending from Jaroslav Halak and when called upon, Thomas Greiss.
Ottawa is 2-4 in back to backs so far this season, the last one being the embarrassing 7-1 drubbing at the hands of the Capitals that opened the recent road trip.
The bottom line is, help isn't coming any time soon and the 23 guys in the dressing room have to find a way to get it done, and they have to stop the 1 step forward, two steps back trend that they have been on that has seen them lose contact with the playoff race (now 3 points out). It is by no means the mountain they faced last year, but they can't also expect to be able to dig themselves out of a big hole again just because they did it once. They need to keep pace with those teams in front of them and reel them in, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, it has to start tonight home ice by forgetting about last night.