Ottawa Senators Are Serious Playoff Contenders
By Santagata JJ
The Ottawa Senators Have All the Components Needed to Be a Serious Playoff Contender. Despite Last Year’s Disappointing Season, Ottawa Is Ready To Be a Playoff Threat For Competitors.
The Ottawa Senators have the weapons to exceed last year’s disappointing season. The Senators’ recent play is mirroring an exact replication of what this team is capable of. With Norris trophy nominee Erik Karlsson, Craig Anderson standing strong between the pipes, and a few offensive crusaders this team cannot be overlooked.
Sitting in second place behind Montreal by two-and-a-half winning games, and right in front of Boston by a point. After last year, many didn’t think highly of the Senators. Making the playoffs in the 2014-2015 season, then having a season where they barely cracked the .500 mark, expectations were not very high for this Senators team coming into the 2016-2017 season. That could have possibly sparked something in this Ottawa team. What could be Ottawa’s spark? Well let’s address it, the reasons are simple and obvious.
That could have possibly sparked something in this Ottawa team. What could be Ottawa’s spark? Well let’s address it, the reasons are simple and obvious.
The Erik Karlsson Bonus
Karlsson has been a huge reason for the Senator’s success, due to his ice presence and numbers this year. Karlsson is a key contributor to Ottawa’s most recent success. The defenseman leads all Ottawa players with 24 points through 26 games (6 G, 18 A), eight points of which were earned on power plays.
Erik Karlsson ranks within the top 15 in terms of points this season, the only defenseman among those players. Karlsson continues to show his elite caliber play on both sides of the puck.
Karlsson will continue to be a top defenseman in the NHL and push this team into possible playoff contention talk. But the Senators will need to keep up their offense and Craig Anderson will need to continue being a top-tier goaltender.
Big Offense Boosts
Ottawa’s forwards have been in the habit of getting the puck in the net lately. Ottawa’s offensive surge has mostly been the result of four or five players at the moment, with little to no other offensive contribution from a few bottom six forwards.
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Mike Hoffman has six goals and six assists in his last eight games. This needs to be a weekly occurrence for players like Hoffman in order for Ottawa to continue their success. Along with Mark Stone and Kyle Turris, combining for, 9 goals and 12 assists over the last ten.
Along with Derick Brassard, who has slowed down as of late. Brassard’s playoff experience and ability to play both sides of the puck effectively fits well with Ottawa.
Forward Ryan Dzingel is also worth mentioning. Dzingel only played 30 games last year, but the kid is holding his own in the league right now.
Anderson in Net
Finally, Anderson is looking his best lately. Due to Anderson’s wife’s recent cancer diagnosis, the goaltender has missed some games, but always performs when he is in net. The games he has played puts him among a lot of elite goalies. While many might not consider Anderson one of the NHL’s elite, lately he has been performing like a top NHL goaltender.
Anderson ranks in the top 10 for wins among all goaltenders (16). As well as just missing the top 10 in save percentage among goaltenders with sixteen or more games started (.924) with 3 shutouts.
Now, these numbers are comforting for the Senators. With a lack of blue line presence, aside from a few players. Ottawa will be relying heavily on Anderson’s abilities in goal moving forward.
The Playoff Race
The All-Star break is approaching quickly and the margin for error is small. The second place position is not comfortably secured right now but Ottawa possesses all the weapons to get it done. This team is ready to push their play to new heights and remain a threat in the playoff race.
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Down the stretch this Ottawa team can be among teams in a playoff spot, who knows, time will tell. Until then, let’s enjoy Karlsson’s run for the Norris trophy.