Ottawa Senators: A Chance To Prove Themselves On The Road
The Ottawa Senators Have Another Chance To Prove Themselves On The Road.
Out of the gate this year the Ottawa Senators established themselves as a team that plays better in other teams buildings. Winning five out of their first six road games, the Senators were given a label that they were a team that was better on the road. Now, with a three game week long road trip up ahead, the Senators are being given the chance to prove it again.
Since the beginning success the team had in opponents buildings, the Senators’ home and road records have evened out. Now, after 20 games, the team continues to hold onto 2nd in the Atlantic Division with a record of 10-5-5.
At home, the Senators have improved. After posting just one home win in the month of October, their current home record is 5-3-4. On the road, their record has stayed strong now at 5-2-1.
A big part of a team’s success comes from how they play on the road. In the obvious sense, there are 41 games played on the road each year. Going past that, road trips can be an important time for teams to develop their chemistry and really get things going.
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Last year, the month of November wasn’t friendly to Ottawa. At the time the teams chemistry with former head coach Paul MacLean was failing and on the month they tallied a season worse seven losses. On the road that month the Senators were 2-5-1.
The next three road games will take the Senators schedule until the end of November. With things picking up over their latest home stand, the Senators are now searching for their consistency. If they can find it on the road, this team might have a great chance to pick itself up after a very odd start.
Early Monday morning the Senators made some changes ahead of the road trip. F Colin Greening and G Chris Driedger have been brought up for the road trip replacing the spots of rookies Matt Puempel and Matt O’Connor.
With Andrew Hammond still out of the lineup with an injury, O’Connor was originally called up on an emergency basis. The Senators would much rather have Driedger in his place though, so O’Connor can continue to get consistent starts in the minors.
Puempel, who was originally brought up in lieu of the injury to Clarke MacArthur at the beginning of the season, has struggled to put up points. Through 11 games he has posted just one goal. Although he has struggled early, Senators fans can expect to see him back sometime later this season.
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To the dismay of many, the Senators are giving Colin Greening another chance. After spending much of his time in the press box last season, Greening started this year in Binghamton. In 16 games, Greening has gathered 4 goals and 5 assists.
It will certainly be interesting to watch Greening play, if and when he gets the chance. On this upcoming road trip he will definitely be looking to prove to the Ottawa Senators that he deserves to be back.
Greening: "I think I'm the 13th forward up here. If I can get into a game or two, that would be great."
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) November 23, 2015
With Craig Anderson posting six shutout periods and the Senators collecting points in their last five games, things may be starting to look up for the club. The ending of the month of November will give them not only a chance to prove that, but to start stringing some wins together.