At the 2020 NHL Draft, the Ottawa Senators selected a franchise player with the third overall pick by selecting Tim Stutzle. Since being drafted, the German winger has turned the Senators around for the better.
In 366 career games, Stutzle has recorded 323 points. Stutzle has transformed the Senators offense heavily since being drafted.
Stutzle helped the Senators get back to the playoffs this season for the first time since 2017. As the Senators get ready for the playoffs tomorrow night, Stutzle needs to have one mindset ahead of the Senators' first round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Shoot the puck needs to be Stutzle's mindset in 2025 playoffs
Heading into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stutzle will be heavily relied on by the Senators to capture the 2025 Stanley Cup. Stutzle's mindset should be an easy one that goes by three words: shoot the puck.
When Stutzle's on the ice, he's always paid attention to by the other teams deeply. Stutzle can beat any goaltender with his ability to shoot the puck. This playoff year, Stutzle needs to shoot the puck more than ever. If someone says different, one of Stutzle's teammates has a different say.
This past Sunday, Stutzle scored two goals including the overtime winner in the Senators' 4-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. After the game, Thomas Chabot gave the Senators great advice on how to score goals.
"Just give it to the German, right"? Chabot said. "Just let him do his thing. Let him go, and he did."
Hearing Chabot say that about Stutzle shows the confidence that Chabot has in his teammate with his offensive ability to score goals. The time for Stutzle to showcase his goal scoring in the playoffs would be a huge boost to the Senators in the playoffs.
Stutzle finished this season with the third most goals on the team with 24. In the final three games, Stutzle recorded three goals.
While Stutzle led the Senators with 55 assists and 79 points, shooting the puck needs to be the mindset for Stutzle in the 2025 playoffs.
Game 1 of Senators-Maple Leafs will be tomorrow night at 7 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena. The Senators have confidence riding high into the series as they swept the three-game season series.
Against the Maple Leafs this season, Stutzle scored two goals in the three games. One of the two goals turned out to be the game-winning goal in the Jan. 25 meeting in Ottawa.