Inconsistent is the best way I can describe the Ottawa Senators right now. When they're hot, they're hot and when they're not it's not pretty and there is a whole lot of not pretty going on with the Senators thus far this season. The problem is their offense is a very pretty shade of cherry lip gloss.
The strength of their defense - or lack there of - is their achilles. It's easy to say they need better goaltending - which wouldn't hurt - but what they need are some better defenseman. With the very obvious exception of Erik Karlsson, their blue line is full of players that just aren't getting it done. Their system is designed for run-and-gun, but that leaves them vulnerable positionally coming back the other way and they're often exposed. There is a trade in their future and it will be to bring in a defenseman. There's just no way around it.
But that's not their only problem, while the Senators are a team built for offense, it's tough to win games relying solely on the strength of your offense. Yes, they average nearly three goals a game, but, unfortunately, they only seem to win games in which they score four. On average their wins are by a score of 4-2 and their losses are 2-4. Six goals one game, just one the next and three the game after that. Inconsistency at it's best.
Also, while their power play isn't statistically terrible, it's not nearly as good as it could be. They are so good at drawing penalties because of their speed that many teams aren't able to contain, but when you can't convert on those opportunities, you're not doing your team any favors.
Finally, while they're undefeated within their own division (6-0-1), non-conference points are considered a premium and in 11 games against Western Conference teams, they've only won once - an overtime win against Phoenix - further supporting the theory that their defense is not equipped to defend the run-and-gun offenses typically employed by the Western Conference teams. In addition, they're getting pushed off the puck and losing one-on-one battles along the boards in these games.
While their offense can be effective, they need to be more consistent in their production - shooting more on their power play opportunities and not just relying on Karlsson to get it on net and manufacturing a goal off a rebound would be a step in the right direction - but more importantly, this team needs to get in more lanes and block more shots and play tighter in their own end. If they don't (or if a personel change isn't made), they will continue to drop in the standings and find themselves jockeying for a lottery pick.
Today's game against Detroit will be emotional with the return of Daniel Alfredsson to Ottawa, but in two games so far this season against them - both on the road - they've outscored the Red Wings 10-3. It's looking good for the start of their next winning streak. Let's just hope it's longer than one game.
Julie
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