Ottawa Senators Round Table: Keys To Success In 2015-2016

Apr 26, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Brandon Prust (8) shots on Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) during the third period in the game six of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Charlie Arsenault, Staff Writer

Trying to figure out the key to success for a hockey team is both the easiest and most difficult thing to do. It can be as simple as saying “they have to score more goals than their opponent”, but it can also go as far as comparing a team to its divisional opponents in dozens of ways.

The Senators’ last successful season (in my opinion, of course) was 2012-13. They may not have finished on top of the standings, but the 2013 playoffs saw their first series win since 2007. Following a season where they beat the Montreal Canadiens in just five games, fans were excited to watch how their young team would perform in 2013-14, but to everyone’s surprise, not only did they not make the playoffs, but they were a bottom 10 team.

Fast forward one year. The Senators just came off a 99 point season, their highest point total since 2006-07. They made it back to the playoffs and played the Montreal Canadiens again.

With that said, I have no idea what the team needs to succeed next year. They went from being in the middle of the Connor McDavid sweepstakes to being the best team in the league. There was no in between. No one knows which one they are, or which one will step onto the ice next season.

We are all aware that when they’re at their best, the forward group has no problem putting the puck in the net. The same goes for Craig Anderson. When he’s his best, there are few goaltenders who outperform him. The biggest issue is still defence. They have a decent top 4, but no one past that should be getting any ice time. Period.

If defence can be improved, and Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman can recreate what can only be described as stellar rookie seasons, along with everyone else keeping pace with their totals from last year, there’s no reason to believe the Ottawa Senators won’t make the playoffs.

Next: Travis Valois, SenShot Staff Writer

Oct 13, 2014; Sunrise, FL, USA; e Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) makes a save in the third period as center Mika Zibanejad (93) defenseman Chris Phillips (4) and defenseman Cody Ceci (5) defend against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center. The Senators won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Valois, Staff Writer

The Senators will need to have many things work perfectly to have a good season. Chris Phillips will have to elevate his level of play. The alternative to Phillips performing well would be for the Senators to promote or acquire another defenceman.

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Andrew Hammond and Craig Anderson must both play very well for the Senators to have playoff hopes. The two goalies played impeccably last season that lead to Robin Lehner being traded. Both goalies must return to form for the Senators to have any chance at success.

The Ottawa Senators did not do much upgrading in the off-season. Will they be a playoff contender or beginning a rebuild? Erik Karlsson will deliver, Kyle Turris and Mika Zibanejad are both great centres but do they have enough talent?  With other solid teams in the division, and other teams getting better – is there enough power in Ottawa?

Editor note – Ottawa may not need a rebuild, with enough you parts they may only be one or two pieces away from contending at the top of the division.  Fully overhauling the roster might not be in their best interest, but rather take the page out of other clubs who improve on the fly and add to powerful rosters.

Next: Cait Platt, At-Large NHL Writer

Apr 26, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators head coach Dave Cameron talks during a press conference after the game six against Montreal Canadiens of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Cait Platt, NHL Writer At-Large

When it comes to continuing the strength of previous seasons, the best thing that could have happened for the Ottawa Senators was them gaining consistency behind the bench.  After relieving Paul MacLean of his coaching duties on December 8th, Dave Cameron took over and pushed the team harder and further than expected.  They were 14 points out of the playoffs coming down the stretch of the season, and Cameron rallied the team.  Cameron brought faith back to the team, gave them a reason to fight and persevere.

All of this is wonderful but it was not until June 18th was true security for the future was achieved.  Bryan Murray saw the same things fans saw, a new team under the direction of Dave Cameron and go Cameron to sign a two-year deal with the team.

Two years provides Cameron the opportunity to build on what he has, work towards building a future, and give players a sense that Murray has faith in the team operating as strongly as they did when Cameron first arrived.  It also gives Cameron the sense of urgency the team has.  Two years says “yes you are wanted here, but we expect results”.  So much can happen in two years but if there isn’t enough, the Senators are ready to move on.

Finding stability is key for any team.  Sometimes it is in the goaltender, others is a solid line, for the Ottawa Senators, it seems an update on the bench was the motivation needed.

Next: Jay Nowak, SenShot Staff Writer

Apr 26, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) faces off against Montreal Canadiens center David Desharnais (51) in game six of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Jay Nowak, Staff Writer

For the Ottawa Senators to improve on last years improbable run to the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, the team will need to focus on winning tight games in regulation or OT. Last season the Senators finished with 13 OTL’s ( Overtime Loses), that was 4th most in the Atlantic Division.

With a 1-Goal Game Win % of .457, The Senators need to focus on closing out games with a win. Had the Senators been able to win 50% of their OTL’s (or 6 games), they would have generated an additional 12 points, enough to pass the Montreal Canadiens for top spot in the Division (Ottawa 99 + 12 Additional = 111 Points, Montreal = 110 Points).

This year’s team will need to find that “never out of it” attitude that was familiar with the team during the past two months of last season. During the early part of last year, the Senators seemed complacent on sitting back in 1 goal games and playing not to lose. This team should be poised to be more offensive minded, and hopefully they’ll play every game for the two points instead of worrying about losing one.

Winning an additional six games a year is hard for any team and is easier said than done. This team will need to compete night in and night out to make sure they are one of the eight teams to make the playoffs this coming season.

Next: Final Thoughts

The Ottawa Senators seemed content that the team they have built are good enough to be competitive this season.  Are they going to have enough to be in contention at the trade deadline and add a piece or pieces that will help get them over the edge?

Making the playoffs is great for a team and a fanbase. The Senators have failed to get out of the first round of the playoffs every year except one since making it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007 when they lost to the Anaheim Ducks.  Are we going to see the same Senators this year, merely doing enough to get in, or will they find a way to be more successful in the post-season?

A lot of this conversation hinges on the fact that they are going to be relying on sophomore goaltender Andrew Hammond.  An impressive rookie campaign saw him pick up 20 wins in 24 starts.  Will Hammond’s stock rise in his second stint on the bench, or will he taper off and be truer to form?

Only time will tell, and with training camp right around the corner, the buzz in Ottawa is in like any other market at this point, the goal is to win the Stanley Cup.

Next: Senators Need To Risk To Make Next Step

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