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Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down: Murray Injured, Power Play Silent |
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The Ottawa Senators had their mini winning streak snapped at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night, losing 4-2 in a game that they had every opportunity to win. Here are last night’s thumbs:
Thumbs Down: The Power Play Unit
If you’re looking for the difference in this game, look no further than Ottawa’s power play unit. The Senators went 0-for-6 on the man advantage, thanks in large part to their inability to create consistently good looks for themselves. They averaged less than one shot per minute of power play time, which simply isn’t good enough in such a tight game. If the power play unit manages to score even a single goal, this game looks very different.
Thumbs Up: The Even Strength Process
Despite their power play woes, the Senators were actually the better team at even strength last night. This was another example of the Senators showing that they are a more competitive hockey club than a lot of people give them credit for. There’s a lot to be optimistic about as this team looks towards the 2021-22 season.
Thumbs Down: Erik Brannstrom Fighting States the Case for JBD
After being on the receiving end of a hit, Erik Brannstrom took matters into his own hands and dropped the gloves. I’m old enough to remember when it was super important to have a player like Josh Brown in the lineup to intimidate opponents and stick up for young, high-talent teammates. If someone like Brannstrom is going to be dropping the gloves anyways, what’s the point? Play Jacob Bernard-Docker.
Thumbs Up: Victor Mete’s Best Game as a Senator
I thought he was excellent. DJ Smith clearly had similarly positive thoughts about the young defender’s play, as Mete ranked third in TOI among Senators defencemen. His skating ability allowed him to keep Vancouver rushes to the outside on more than a few occasions, which is something that the guys he replaced simply were unable to do.
Thumbs Down: Matt Murray’s Injury
This biggest thumbs down of the night comes in the form of Matt Murray’s injury. He left the game with a lower-body injury after an awkward spin in the crease. Notwithstanding his whiff on Nate Schmidt’s opening goal, Murray has been phenomenal for the Senators since returning from his first injury earlier in the month. It was the best hockey he had played in an Ottawa jersey, and he was finally looking like the goalie that Pierre Dorion was expecting when he signed him. To have that nice run interrupted by injury is really disappointing both for Murray and the Senators.
Thumbs Up: Marcus Hogberg’s Return
Was Marcus Hogberg spectacular in relief of Murray? No. Was Marcus Hogberg good enough to a point that it still felt like a step forward from where he was pre-injury? Yes. He did enough to keep the Senators in the game. Had it not been for a silent power play unit, as mentioned above, we might be talking about a relief performance win.
Thumbs Down: Missing Out on What Could Have Been
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The Senators will see the Canucks again tomorrow night.
As always, thanks for reading.
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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