Ottawa Senators: Stopping The Avalanche

Matt Duchene is on his way to the Canadian Tire Centre! Unfortunately, he will be clad in the burgundy and blue of the Colorado Avalanche.

It’s back to business after the excitement (disappointment) of the trade deadline. Yesterday was a long long day, in which not much happened. Jerome Iginla finally got his playoff wish, but an unlikely cup wish, with a conditional fourth-round pick going the other way. Curtis Lazar finally got his move away from the Canadian capital.

Onto the game.

Colorado’s top five combine for 159 points.

Ottawa’s top five combine for 220 points.

Car Crash Colorado

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The Avalanche have been woeful this season, common knowledge of course, one of the worst NHL seasons in recent memory. A rather quiet trade deadline, don’t expect the shyness come the end of the season. The rebuild begins now for the struggling Denver outfit.

2-7-1 in their last ten which has been par for the course for this team. Relying on the occasional shock victory. Last in the league in almost every statistic, 30th in goals per game, 30th in goals against per game and 29th in powerplay percentage. Ouch.

Nathan Mckinnon has been the only bright light in the midst of the darkness. On 41 points in 61 games, he could well top 60 this season. Frightening to think what totals he will amass with some talent around him.

Goaltending clearly has been issue, having used four goaltenders this season it’s time to regroup. Calvin Pickford topping that list with a .909 save percentage. Interestingly, Pickford hasn’t faced more shots than most goaltenders. Averaging 24 shots per game against.

Sustainable Senators

After the cautious approach to the trade deadline, the Ottawa Senators are evidently happy with their lot.

Hopefully this confidence, and we will call it confidence rather than reluctance, builds the morale in the room and converts into two-point nights.

The Sens are 6-4-0 in their last ten and would prefer to be on a 7-3-0, that should be the aim going forward.

Tonight has to be two points, there’s no other way to look at it. Second in the Atlantic up against rockbottom of the league. New recruits looking to make an impression in the Sens lineup, Duchene and Landeskog’s heads must be all over the place.

The time to strike is now, yes the majority are disappointed with the trades, but it is time to focus back on the players at hand. Potentially court Matt Duchene while he is here, get some players chatting to him, just as a thought.

Next: Breaking Down The Trade Deadline

Final Thoughts

Win. That is it. Ascertain the two points and onto the next one.