Claude Giroux heating up is exactly what the Senators need
One player that the Ottawa Senators needed to contribute big this season is 36-year-old Claude Giroux. Two games into the 2024-25 season, Giroux got off to a slow start.
Giroux went pointless in the first two games of the season. In the next two games, Giroux scored one goal and an assist, but he still wasn't playing up to his capability of producing points.
Concerns about Giroux's slow start started to rise and he needed to get out of his slump. Since Saturday, Giroux has done just that and it's only going to help the Senators more.
Giroux heating up is big for the Senators
On Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Giroux recorded two assists in the Senators' 5-4 win. Last night against the Utah Hockey Club, Giroux showed off his offensive skills again by scoring a beautiful goal against Utah goaltender Connor Ingram. Giroux was one of four Senators who scored a goal in the first period in the Senators' 4-0 win.
Now that's a cheeky chip 😄#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/9CfSR93ev5
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 23, 2024
Giroux has now made it four consecutive games with recording at least one point, and has now recorded three points in the past two games. When Giroux gets hot, he makes the Senators a more efficient team.
Last season in February, Giroux recorded a stretch where he went eight consecutive games with recording at least one point in a where the Senators as a team struggled season. In that eight-game stretch, the Senators went 5-2-1. So far this season, Giroux playing with Ottawa's young players has made a difference.
Brady Tkachuk has recorded a point in every game to start the season. Tim Stutzle is tied with Tkachuk for the most points on the team with eight. Josh Norris has been better this season with being healthy, and Drake Batherson playing with Giroux has helped him as he has the most goals on the team with four.
It's clear that Giroux's impact on the Senators is crucial. With being on the final year of his contract, Giroux's value is still high with him heating up and his impact on the ice for his teammates. Giroux is capable of having his best season as a Senator if he continues to heat up.