First off, for the latest Sens updates, please follow me on Twitter at
Follow @KevinFr65525204
Give me a Twitter follow, I will give you a follow too!

The four-day layoff for the Ottawa Senators showed as they came out flat against their division rival Montreal Canadiens. Former Senator Andrew Hammond led the way for the Habs stopping 26 of 27 shots for a convincing 2-1 win. Montreal has now won 5 straight games and they completely shut down the duo of Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk. Both players registered their only shot on goal in the final minute of the game with Matt Murray on the bench in favour of the extra attacker. Ottawa only had 12 shots on goal in the final two periods, generating very little offense. I don't understand why head coach DJ Smith didn't mix up his line combinations as it clearly didn't work and the Habs coaching staff were getting the matchup they wanted all game long with the Sen's top two forwards. It was nice to see Colin White score a goal in his first game of the season, he was noticeable all night long which is more than I can say for most of the Sens forwards.

What didn't help was how short-handed Ottawa was on the blueline tonight as prior to game time Thomas Chabot and Nikita Zaitsev were late scratches due to illness. This forced Victor Mete into the lineup and playing with five defensemen for a full game didn't help the Sen's cause tonight. Mete didn't box out his man in front of Murray on the 1st goal which led to an easy second chance then Murray looked weak on the Hab's second goal as he wasn't screened at all in allowing the one-timer. I don't know how Ottawa can dress Mete again when you have far better options in Belleville. Mete was miserable tonight, while being a -2, he was outmuscled all night by the Habs forwards. Erik Brannstrom logged the most minutes on the blueline for the 3rd time in five games.

Murray seemed to settle down after the weak 2nd goal by Montreal but he didn't get much help from his forwards once again tonight, a familiar occurrence when he's in goal.

Ottawa now heads out on a very tough five-game road trip that includes games at TB, Florida, Vegas, and St. Louis. When looking at the road trip, Arizona is the only game that looks winnable. You would have to think the Sens call up an extra defenseman for the road trip due to how ineffective Mete was tonight. DJ Smith is going to have to get more from this forward group on this road trip if they plan on having any success.

As for Montreal, this team is playing with a purpose but I truly don't understand why management wouldn't go with a full rebuild considering how many big contracts they want to unload. All they have to do is look at what Ottawa has done for the past three and half seasons. When you constantly tinker with a lineup in hopes of getting the odd long playoff run, it usually results in many non-playoff seasons as you aren't drafting from a position of strength by not getting those top 5 draft picks.

With the NHL trade deadline just over 3 weeks away, I will have a piece up in the next 24 hours about what Ottawa needs to do, plus rumours I've heard over the past week.
Enjoy your Sunday. Thanks for reading.

Kevin

Join the Discussion: » 54 Comments » Post New Comment

» Which player has exceeded expectations so far this season?!

» The Sens are in the playoff conversation to start 2023!!!!

» Sens set for critical back to back home games!

» Sens Gameday/More injuries/Sale of team

» Sens Gameday in Dallas/Dorion tried very hard to trade Formenton!