Five Things The Ottawa Senators Need In The Stretch Run To Make The Playoffs
As the NHL broke for the Olympics, the Ottawa Senators found themselves in a group of 3 teams that sit one point out of the playoffs. There are 5 teams within 3 points of Detroit, the team holding the final playoff spot at the moment.
There have been many highs and many lows in the first 59 games of the season, and with 23 games to go it is going to be a drag race to get to the post-season.
So, what do the Senators need down the stretch to get into a coveted playoff spot? Here are my top 5 things that need to happen.
1. Consistent Goaltending
Feb 8, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie
Craig Anderson(41) gets ready for the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
It is no secret that the Senators goalies have struggled this season. They have faced more shots than last year, but the quality of the starts provided by Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner hasn’t been good enough. They don’t need to win every game by themselves, but on too many occasions they have been sub-par and the team doesn’t know what to expect from them on a night to night basis.
Unless one of the two steps up and gets the team on his back, or better yet both of them do, it will continue to be two steps forward, one step back like it has been for the last couple of months.
2. Discipline
Jan 30, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center
Nate Thompson(44) shoots the puck against Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Lightning 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The Senators have been shorthanded more than every team in the NHL this season except the Philadelphia Flyers. They have the largest differential in the league when it comes to power play time and short-handed time differential. They have spent 43 more minutes killing penalties than they have on the power play. Couple that with the 19th best penalty kill in the league and that is a recipe for disaster.
3. A Healthy Jason Spezza
Feb 6, 2014; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) controls the puck in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Senators defeated the Sabres 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sportsjason Spezza ) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The most polarizing individual on the roster, and maybe in the entire league, a healthy Jason Spezza is a force and can carry a team. The Jason Spezza that has been on the ice for a majority of the season is not that healthy one. He has had dominant games here and there, but he needs to be better on a nightly basis.
Despite the yeoman’s effort put forth by Kyle Turris and the rest of the Senators pivots, Spezza’s success will determine how much success the team has.
4. A Refreshed Bobby Ryan
Feb 1, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan (6) skates with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Senators 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
With only 4 goals and 9 points since Christmas, Ryan seemed to hit a wall. That is kind of hard to believe considering the fact that his linemates Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur lit it up, combining for 17 goals and 12 assists in the same time period. With Ryan seeming almost like a third wheel on that line, perhaps it is time to try a Jason Spezza and Bobby Ryan combo once again.
5. Some Good Old Home Cooking
Nov 20, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators lefty wing Cory Conacher (89) celebrates a goal scored by center Kyle Turris (7) in the first period against the Minnesota Wild at the Canadian Tire Centre.The Wild defeated the Senators 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The Senators have almost an identical record on the road and at home. They are 13-11-5 at Canadian Tire Centre, and 13-11-6 away from their own building. The road record is decent, but they need to be more than 2 games above .500 at home when the season ends if they want to have any shot at the post-season.