The Ottawa Senators handed the Arizona Coyotes a tremendously deflating 3-2 loss on Thursday night, thanks to offensive contributions from Vladislav Namestnikov, Brady Tkachuk, and Nick Paul. Marcus Hogberg was once again very solid in net.

Here are last night’s thumbs:

Thumbs Up: Marcus Hogberg, NHL Starter
Bruce Garrioch mentioned that he expects Marcus Hogberg to be returned to Belleville once Anders Nilsson is healthy. It’s quite frankly impossible to understate how terrible of a move that would be. Hogberg was excellent in the Senators crease again last night, stopping 32 of 34 shots fired his way. From the start of the second period onward, he was under siege. That didn't stop him from holding down the fort; he was more than ready for the challenge.

Based on how things have gone for Hogberg since the turn of the calendar year, it’s clear that he’s an NHL goaltender. Whether he’s a long-term starter or a stopgap measure for this season alone doesn’t matter. He’s done enough to stay up with the Big Senators, and doesn’t deserve a demotion to the AHL regardless of who’s healthy. If there isn’t any action at the trade deadline on the goaltending front, the best course of action is to rotate the three goaltenders. Hogberg has nothing left to prove at the AHL level that he isn’t proving right now in the NHL. When that changes, maybe the conversation changes too.

Thumbs Down: Arizona’s Playoff Hopes
The Coyotes are fighting for their lives in the Western Conference playoff race right now, so losing to a team near the bottom of the standings had to hurt. After going all-in with the move to acquire Taylor Hall, Arizona can’t afford to be losing games to teams like the Senators.

Thumbs Up and Down: Anthony Duclair
While watching the game, there was more than one occasion when I stopped and took note of a Duclair misplay or giveaway. From the vantage point of my couch in Edmonton, the eye test didn’t do him any favors. That, combined with the fact that he extended his goalless drought to 19 games, normally would have led me to give him a ‘thumbs down’.

However, last night was one of those nights when the fancy stats and my eye test disagree. Duclair was the team’s forward leader both in shot attempt and expected goal share at five-on-five per Natural Stat Trick. So, I really don’t know what to make of his performance. I'd be curious to hear thoughts from the fan base.

Thumbs Up: Drake Batherson’s Assist
If you look up the definition of “effort” in the Oxford English Dictionary, you’ll find a visual depiction of Drake Batherson’s heroic primary assist on Vlad Namestnikov’s first period goal. Batherson beat out both Coyote defenders with a quick forecheck and popped up the puck out to Namestnikov in the slot with slick hands.

There wasn’t anything visually stunning about the play, but it still ranks as one of the more impressive assists I can remember seeing this season. Batherson gave that play everything he had in the tank, and was rewarded for it.

Thumbs Down: Mark Borowiecki’s Injury
Mark Borowiecki took a big hit from Lawson Crouse last night, which sent his ankle backwards on a 90-degree angle. It wasn’t particularly pretty, and it’s an injury that is expected to keep him out of the lineup for the next little while.

Thumbs Up: Mark Borowiecki the Person
He’s a beautiful human being, both on and off the ice:

Mark Borowiecki is back playing his first game after the birth of his son Miles.

It just so happens that tonight is “Hockey Is For Everyone” night in Ottawa, promoting inclusivity in hockey.

I asked him about why this initiative is so important to him: pic.twitter.com/GVhExrCmIL

— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) February 13, 2020

As I’ve said before in this space, Borowiecki is the kind of player who has more value to the Senators than he would have anywhere else. His history with the team, combined with his local ties and his leadership capabilities, make him the right kind of veteran to keep around during the rebuilding years.

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The Senators don’t have a lot of time to rest on their laurels, as they are set to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow night. Despite barely making up any ground in the Atlantic Division race, the Leafs have been piling up points at a phenomenal rate since Sheldon Keefe took over as head coach. The challenge is a big one for the Senators.

As always, thanks for reading.

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