When the Ottawa Senators got off to a 2-1 first-period lead against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their fourth preseason game, it looked like the offense would generate more goals. Unfortunately, in the blink of an eye, the lead was lost for Ottawa.
In a chippy game, the Senators fell to the Penguins 5-2 at Sudbury Community Arena in Sudbury, Ontario. With the loss, the Senators fell to 2-1-1 in the 2024 preseason.
Things looked promising for the Senators after Tim Stutzle gave the Senators a 2-1 lead with 8:05 remaining in the first period. As the offense kept firing shots on goal against Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry, the Senators were unable to score again, with Jarry locking in mentally.
"I'm really encouraged of how we played tonight," Stutzle said after the loss.
Even with the loss, Stutzle knows positives came out of the game, but a concern also came out of the game.
3. A new Senator makes an impact quickly
When the Senators signed Nick Cousins to a one-year deal just weeks before training camp started, the Senators hoped he can provide leadership and ability to make plays on a young Senators team. In two games played in the preseason, Cousins' leadership has been key.
Last night, Cousins scored the opening goal four minutes into the game. Seeing Cousins score can be a good sign that more goals can be scored when the regular season starts.
Cousins continued not to be afraid to shoot the puck as he finished with three shots on goal. The Senators have had new players on the team make good impressions this preseason, with players like Linus Ullmark and 2024 first-round draft pick Carter Yakemchuk.
Cousins continuing the trend of making a strong preseason impression is another key thing for the team.
Start the rush and then also finish it, brilliant 💪 🧠 #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/PoT7zBVQsU
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) September 29, 2024
2. Shots coming in from all angles
One thing is for sure with the offensive talent of the Senators, they will not be afraid to shoot the puck. Last night was a game that will be seen a lot of this regular season.
The Senators recorded 38 shots on goal in the game with having 15 each in the first and second period. Jarry stood tall for the remainder of the 47:05 and didn't allow another goal, but the Senators' forwards kept firing shots from all angle.
"For 40 minutes I felt we were the better team," Stutzle said. "And, they scored some goals there, and we just couldn't capitalize."
Drake Batherson led the Senators with six shots on goal. Shane Pinto recorded five shots on goal. Stutzle recorded four shots on goal. Thomas Chabot, Brady Tkachuk, Ridley Greig and Cousins each recorded shots on goal. The shots on goal being generated by the Senators' key players on offense is key to having offensive success.
"We had a lot of quality time in their zone," said head coach Travis Green.
Even though the Senators were unable to score, having the offense record a significant amount of shots on goal is a good thing that can translate over into the regular season.
1. Defense and goaltending show inconsistency
The Senators defense and goaltending last season had inconsistency. Anton Forsberg got the start in net and showed his incosistency issues again.
Forsberg allowed in four goals on 25 Pittsburgh shots on goal. After a struggling preseason debut, Forsberg earned a good win by allowing in one goal in his second start in the preseason, but then came back to his struggling play against the Penguins.
The Senators allowed the Penguins to score two goals in the second period to take a 3-2 lead into the intermission. After protecting a 4-2 lead in the third period, Evgeni Malkin iced the game with an empty-net goal to complete the hat trick. Sidney Crosby scored the other two goals in the game. Two of Pittsburgh's goals came on the powerplay.
Forsberg has the perfect chance to earn the trust back of the Senators by playing strong as Ullmark's backup this season. However, an inconsistent start with allowing four goals is not a good sign after allowing one goal in his previous start.
The Senators will return to action in the preseason tomorrow night as they travel to Bell Centre in Montreal to take on the Montreal Canadiens. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The Canadiens have a 2-2-0 record in the 2024 preseason.