2 quick takeaways from Senators' failed third period comeback against Islanders
The Ottawa Senators were looking for a bounce back win after they fell 5-1 on Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres. Heading into tonight's game against the New York Islanders, both teams were looking to get an edge over the other as both teams entered the game with 12 points each in the Eastern Conference.
While the Senators did score two goals in the third period, it was too little too late to try and complete the comeback.
The Islanders defeated the Senators 4-2 at Canadian Tire Centre to drop the Senators to 6-7-0 on the season. The Senators had their three-game home winning streak snapped as well.
While the Senators didn't quit and scored two goals in the third period, they have shown that they are unable to play catch up in their games this season. Tonight against the Islanders was another game that showed that.
2. Top defense pair was poor and goaltending showed inconsistency once again
Prior to the game, the Senators received big news that defenseman Artem Zub was returning to the lineup. Zub had missed the past nine games due to a concussion.
With Zub healthy, Travis Green put Zub on the top defense pair next to Jake Sanderson. With two of the best defensemen on the team being on the top defense pair, it offered as a great chance for the Senators to turn their defense around after five goals were scored on Tuesday. It didn't make a difference as Zub finished with a -2 rating and Sanderson finished with a -3 rating.
The Islanders scored two goals in the second period in a 2:33 span with Zub and Sanderson both on the ice. While Sanderson did have a powerplay assist later in the game, his defense in the second period hurt the Senators.
Anton Forsberg got the start in goal looking to remain hot after recording a shutout in his last start this past Saturday against the Seattle Kraken, but allowed in three goals in his start for the fifth time this season. The roller coaster season of Forsberg continued again against the Islanders.
With Forsberg being inconsistent along with Linus Ullmark this season, it puts Travis Green in a tough spot on who to start each game now. Goaltending needs to be fixed immediately if the Senators are going to not fall in the standings.
1. Offense has been terribly cold in November
With the loss, the Senators dropped to 1-3-0 in November. A big reason why has been due to the offense not being able to score goals.
Through four games to start November, the Senators have scored seven goals. That is a huge disappointing start to the month after the Senators scored 25 goals in their final five games to conclude October.
The Senators had failed on their past 13 powerplay attempts to start November until Drake Batherson scored in the third period to cut the deficit to 3-2. While the Senators did make it a one-goal game with 5:33 remaining, it was too little too late. Nick Jensen did score his first goal as a Senator in the loss.
What a snipe for your first as a Sen 🎯#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/HDuun5wT3x
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) November 8, 2024
For the Senators to have a huge drop off with their offense to start November, it is raising heavy concern. The loss tonight puts the Senators under .500 for the first time this season, and the Senators are in danger to having the season slip away early.
The Senators will return to action on Saturday night as they head to TD Garden to face the Boston Bruins. The Bruins won 4-3 in overtime tonight at home against the Calgary Flames to improve to 7-7-1. With the Senators having road struggles this season with a 1-5-0 record, Saturday offers another tough test.