OTT sure has hit the gas peddle in the 3rd
- Mithos

Great to see!

Night and day difference from the 1st period. Really good to see the bounce back after a lack lustre 1st and going down 2-0. This is something they struggled with in the past. If this can be seen on a regular basis, you'll see them finish higher in the standings.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

Consistency will be key, plus getting some road results too.

I agree with lack of logic of the contract. However, I am hesitant to rile on a 3rd line guy too much. 3rd and 4th line guys are generally inconsistent, lack a wide range of skill, and will get outplayed depending on matchups. Even Paul had these kinds of stretches. If these 3rd and 4th line guys were as good as people want them to be, they would be top 6 players.

Nevertheless, I do agree that the bottom 6 could be addressed to be improved. I don't mind Motte-Pinto-Joseph (nice goal by that line as a type) and want to see that line gel a bit more. However, the 4th line is a joke and could be upgraded relatively easily.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

There should be more adjusting and line moves in the bottom six when things arent going well, keep the top 6 consistent but move the pieces around in the bottom six, heck bring in Gambrell for a look on the 4th line and Brassard in Joseph's spot on the 3rd line.

Cat finally breaks the ice

Cat finally breaks the ice
- Mithos

He needed it!

Cat finally breaks the ice
- Mithos

He's been getting assists, hopefully this gets the ball rolling with the goals.

Great game.

Character win.

love this team.

Nice win by the Sens. They got consistently better as the game went on, better cycles, more open looks and even better zone exits on the back end. Defensive zone coverages were better as was gap control. Despite the naysayers on this thread that think the score should have been even better than it was, DJ Smith actually may be learning some match-up skills and that caused Ovi and Oshie grief in the last 2 periods, but alass, haters gonna hate. Pretty sure very few on here are going to admit that Branny might be developing into a real Keeper too, but no, still begging for someone to fleece Dorion with that Band-aid Chychrun. Not gonna plan the parade route just yet but on the other hand, step away from the ledge. Oh, while I'm at it, unless DJ owes you money or something Kevin, get some new material. You are far too good at the blogs and insights to keep painting with the same brush.

Nice win by the Sens. They got consistently better as the game went on, better cycles, more open looks and even better zone exits on the back end. Defensive zone coverages were better as was gap control. Despite the naysayers on this thread that think the score should have been even better than it was, DJ Smith actually may be learning some match-up skills and that caused Ovi and Oshie grief in the last 2 periods, but alass, haters gonna hate. Pretty sure very few on here are going to admit that Branny might be developing into a real Keeper too, but no, still begging for someone to fleece Dorion with that Band-aid Chychrun. Not gonna plan the parade route just yet but on the other hand, step away from the ledge. Oh, while I'm at it, unless DJ owes you money or something Kevin, get some new material. You are far too good at the blogs and insights to keep painting with the same brush.
- ktownfan

Branstrom has played well so far. I'd like to see 10-12 games before saying he's a mainstay but so far so good. I was ready to cut him loose but will always be happy to be wrong. His preseason was good as well. His timing and positioning seemed to have developed. This is a good thing. Let's see it continue.

That's the way this team needs to play. Attack. Give them no room. Get right on them. Transition in the blink of an eye and attack. Beautiful to see.

Norris and DeBrincat can't buy a goal but it will come.

I've noticed that if guys like Brannstrom do something/anything nice their praises are sung to the rafters. Hamonic and Brannstrom have been the biggest culprits as far as goals against goes often being directly responsible for those goals. At least Brannstrom is starting to show a glimpse here and there of something better. Let's hope.

Let Chabot, who has always played against the other team's top players mostly paired with poor defensive partners, make a mistake and that's where some people focus all of their attention.

He made a few really nice rushes tonight because he's playing with Zub and so he can. Let him get used to that and get more comfortable with a good partner and saner ice times (tonight it was just over 25 minutes) and people will begin to see why he would be a top pairing D on pretty much every team in the league.

Anyway another great effort by the whole team and I'll even let up on Kelly because he dished out a few nice hits. That whole line turned things around when they started destroying anybody wearing white after the Sanderson hit. That woke the whole team up.

... aaaand there's the disappointment.

Down 2-0... outshot 12-6... to go with 9 turnovers in just the first period. Silver lining that both GA were on the same 5-3PP, but there's going to have to be a major shift of gear for the 2nd/3rd periods.
- khawk

Well, that's a serious Jekyll & Hyde performance. It's tough to do more in 2 periods than out-score your opponents 3-0 plus 2 EN goals, out-shoot them 37-12, and completely reverse the most underwhelming period of the season. Plus, Forsberg made a couple of really big saves to prevent WSH from sneaking back into the game. Good for them - it's really important to be able to turn a game around like this, and battle through adversity.

It was also a very good night in the faceoff circle, though it's perhaps to be expected when both Kuznetsov and Backstrom aren't in the lineup. The Giroux-Norris-DeBrincat line continues to take the most faceoffs by quite a margin, which may be the rationale for keeping Giroux-Norris on the same line.

Kastelic - 9/11
Norris - 7/11
Pinto - 6/9
Giroux - 4/8
Tkachuk - 3/6
Stutzle - 3/5

Ultimately, there's no doubt that being 2-2-0 is a whole lot different than being 0-2-0. Hopefully they come out with more of a sense of purposes vs. ARI on Saturday, and keep the winning streak going.

That whole line turned things around when they started destroying anybody wearing white after the Sanderson hit. That woke the whole team up.
- Whatisavailable

That made me laugh. I thought there was going to be roughing penalties. But yes, that's when the afterburner was hit and the fuel never stopped. Great win! Completely different game after the first period.

That made me laugh. I thought there was going to be roughing penalties. But yes, that's when the afterburner was hit and the fuel never stopped. Great win! Completely different game after the first period.
- PogBoi

Very curious to see how this team does in the first 15-20 games of the season. Nice to this Ottawa team come back and get the win.

F'ing missed the game - had to shop for a new place. What a game man. Batherson and I'm so glad I picked Pinto to score. He is looking really solid this year *knock on wood*. I'm hoping for big years from him and Brannstrom

I am so glad that Pinto wasn't made part of a package for Chychrun or some such. Man that guy has a deadly shot.

I am so glad that Pinto wasn't made part of a package for Chychrun or some such. Man that guy has a deadly shot.
- Whatisavailable

Yes, Pinto and Kestelec at 3 and 4 create wicked match up problems for other teams. Strong on face-offs and they play a total game.

Sanderson is so, so steady.

There is a second wave of elite talent coming into the Sens system and it is going to force some really hard choices going forward.

But, maybe, they win a Stanley Cup before they need to deal with moving out some quality guys.

If DJ wins Jack Adams it wil partlyl be because these young guys have added quality depth especially as it relates to the overall team defensive play.

I am so glad that Pinto wasn't made part of a package for Chychrun or some such. Man that guy has a deadly shot.
- Whatisavailable

The team has been very high on Pinto, even leading up to the draft. As I recall, they wouldn't trade down one spot to LA for fear they would snag him.
We've heard this about a few propsects in recent year, so far its looking good with Pinto hopefully we see it again.

The team has been very high on Pinto, even leading up to the draft. As I recall, they wouldn't trade down one spot to LA for fear they would snag him.
We've heard this about a few propsects in recent year, so far its looking good with Pinto hopefully we see it again.
- david22

Is Pinto not the pick that a bunch of amateur know it all said it was such a bad pick and they listed some goal scoring prodigies (Kaliyev, Brink) as having been a better choice.

Is Pinto not the pick that a bunch of amateur know it all said it was such a bad pick and they listed some goal scoring prodigies (Kaliyev, Brink) as having been a better choice.
- spatso

*Looks away nervously*

Is Pinto not the pick that a bunch of amateur know it all said it was such a bad pick and they listed some goal scoring prodigies (Kaliyev, Brink) as having been a better choice.
- spatso

There are a lot of similarities between Pinto and Sanderson in terms of their late development, and progression from being more of a defensive player to more of an all-round player. Personally, I was fine with the Pinto selection because Kaliyev/Brink had fallen out of the first round due to skating or size issues, and Pinto seemed like a more projectable NHL player... plus, I'm usually happy when C are added to the prospect system. That doesn't mean Kaliyev/Brink won't also be good NHL players, but Pinto certainly more than holds his own in comparison.

On the flip side, I'll have to own being down on the Sanderson pick when they called his name 5th overall in 2020. I mean, it was clear they were going to get a good D-man with top-4 potential. But I'm thoroughly enjoying how wrong I was about his potential upside, seeing just how natural his game is and how important he already is to the team's blue line. If what we've seen so far is any indication of what's to come, I don't think it's hyperbole to suggest he could over take Chabot as the #1D within 2-3yrs.

There are a lot of similarities between Pinto and Sanderson in terms of their late development, and progression from being more of a defensive player to more of an all-round player. Personally, I was fine with the Pinto selection because Kaliyev/Brink had fallen out of the first round due to skating or size issues, and Pinto seemed like a more projectable NHL player... plus, I'm usually happy when C are added to the prospect system. That doesn't mean Kaliyev/Brink won't also be good NHL players, but Pinto certainly more than holds his own in comparison.

On the flip side, I'll have to own being down on the Sanderson pick when they called his name 5th overall in 2020. I mean, it was clear they were going to get a good D-man with top-4 potential. But I'm thoroughly enjoying how wrong I was about his potential upside, seeing just how natural his game is and how important he already is to the team's blue line. If what we've seen so far is any indication of what's to come, I don't think it's hyperbole to suggest he could over take Chabot as the #1D within 2-3yrs.
- khawk

Hated the Sens picking Brady at #4.

Out of the Pinto draft, the Sens also got Thompson, Soogaard and Kestelic.

Funny how folks are so quick to go underground with their past comments and not want to recognize just how good the Sens amateur scouting has been.

I thought some of the comments and responses on Tyler Boucher draft were absolutely disgraceful.

Is Pinto not the pick that a bunch of amateur know it all said it was such a bad pick and they listed some goal scoring prodigies (Kaliyev, Brink) as having been a better choice.
- spatso

It can certainly be said that the amateur scouting for Ottawa has marched to its own beat and frequently goes against consensus of the many scouting services.

What is most important is that they get the big decisions right. For the most part, that has been the case. The selections of Tkachuk, Sanderson and Pinto are certainly the best examples of getting things right and a huge part of why this team has turned things around.

I did want to say that this Leaf team is vulnerable.

Goaltending, defense as well as the 3rd and 4th lines are dubious at best. I think it is going to be hard for them to keep their heads above water the deeper we get into the season.

It can certainly be said that the amateur scouting for Ottawa has marched to its own beat and frequently goes against consensus of the many scouting services.

What is most important is that they get the big decisions right. For the most part, that has been the case. The selections of Tkachuk, Sanderson and Pinto are certainly the best examples of getting things right and a huge part of why this team has turned things around.
- SensFan25

I don't mind folks being critical and having a different opinion. What I don't like is the vindictive second guessing. Dorion has taken a heap of scorn from blowhard amateurs who struggle to acknowledge the sharp eyes and hockey sense that make the decisions for the Sens.

Everybody is entitled to an opinion. I don't like ambush criticism.

Hated the Sens picking Brady at #4.

Out of the Pinto draft, the Sens also got Thompson, Soogaard and Kestelic.

Funny how folks are so quick to go underground with their past comments and not want to recognize just how good the Sens amateur scouting has been.

I thought some of the comments and responses on Tyler Boucher draft were absolutely disgraceful.
- spatso

Ottawa and Carolina are probably bang for your buck the best amateur drafters.