Ottawa Senators: A Series Of Unfortunate Events

The Ottawa Senators have had some car-crash games this year. Last night took the biscuit as not only did they lose the game but also two key players.

It was a bruising encounter from start to finish. The Winnipeg Jets recently changing their mindset to knocking opponents into submission. The Sens will feel aggrieved after last night, they were the superior side.

Near Total Domination

Fully represented in the statistics,  the Sens outshooting the Jets 34-20. The Ottawa defense doing their part blocking 23 shots as opposed to the Jets nine. They were even gifted (well some were not gifted and we will get onto that later) penalties  having four attempts  at an extra-man advantage compared to Winnipeg’s solitary chance.

Injuries, Injuries, Injuries

With the loss of Bobby Ryan on Saturday with a broken finger that looks set to take him out action for atl east six weeks, the Sens bench was already thinner heading into the back-to-back. However, the situation was about to get much worse. Forward Mike Hoffman left in the first with an undisclosed lower-body injury. The much respected line of Ryan, Turris, Hoffman was now shattered.

Two large injuries to top-six forwards is devastating to any team, but train didn’t stop there. Mark Stone who had got the Sens back into the game with his 22nd of the season. (see below our thoughts on him)

Next: Mark Stone Is Severely Underrated

Stone receives a disgraceful hit from Jacob Trouba with twelve minutes remaining in the third. A deliberate shoulder to the head of Stone (who has a history of concussions). Last receiving one prior to the start of the regular season. Guy Boucher was rightly infused “It’s a clear hit to the head with the shoulder”(Ottawa Citizen) having lost half of his top-six forwards in 24 hours, it is most certainly a disaster.

Looking Ahead

I’m sure the majority of Sens Army have tear filled eyes and are hesitant to think about the upcoming games. It’s time to face reality, it will be a tough road-trip especially without not only great players, but their presence in the locker room. It will be much quieter and the likes of Karlsson and Phaneuf will need to rally the troops. If we’ve learnt anything about Guy Boucher’s coaching, it’s that the team can win games when playing together. They might not have Hoffman, Ryan or Stone but when they implement properly, they can still get two points a night.

Finally, the puck may or may not have crossed the line on Pageau’s effort, but one thing is for sure, the game should have been out-of-sight by then. Tommy Wingels also picked up an injury in the third to cement a horrific night.