Jacques Martin’s Senators are taking it one step at a time…
In a surprising turn of events, the Ottawa Senators have demonstrated resilience and improvement in their recent stretch of games, accumulating points in five consecutive matchups and posting a 4-1-2 record in their last seven outings. Although the team currently resides at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a mere 38 points from 44 games, the Senators are showcasing their potential for success when playing solid hockey on both ends of the ice.
Following a 3-2 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins, the Senators are set to continue their three-game home stand at the Canadian Tire Centre. The upcoming matchups against the New York Rangers and the Nashville Predators provide an opportunity for the team to build on their recent positive performances.
While it may be too late for moral victories this season, Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, emphasized the importance of building a foundation for the future under interim coach Jacques Martin. Staios acknowledged the progress in the team’s level of competition, discipline, and attention to detail, indicating that the pieces are starting to come together.
Martin, who took over with former captain Daniel Alfredsson as an assistant, recognized the challenges of instilling the right style of play in a team with a busy schedule and limited practice time. Despite these obstacles, the Senators have started to witness the fruits of their labor, evident in their ability to stifle the potent Boston Bruins offense for over 17 minutes.
While skeptics may dismiss the current positive momentum as mere “fools gold” due to slim playoff chances, the Senators’ management is focused on the long-term goal. Drawing parallels to the Vancouver Canucks’ approach last year, where they brought in Rick Tocchet to prepare for the following season, the Senators are investing in a development that may not yield immediate results but is crucial for future success.
Martin highlighted key improvements in the team’s recent stretch, emphasizing players’ commitment to intensity both with and without the puck. Managing the game effectively and controlling emotions have become crucial aspects of the Senators’ evolving playstyle, a testament to the progress made under Martin’s guidance.
Acknowledging the rollercoaster nature of the NHL season, Martin stressed the importance of maintaining composure through highs and lows within a game. Learning from past mistakes, the team aims to handle momentum swings more effectively, as seen in their ability to recover from a 2-0 deficit against the Bruins.
The Senators’ power play, a critical area for improvement, saw adjustments against the Bruins, with goals from Thomas Chabot and Vladimir Tarasenko. Martin recognized the challenges of refining special teams with limited practice time but expressed optimism about the team’s ability to adapt.
Despite their position in the standings, the Senators have shown perseverance and determination, particularly in their 2-0 victory against the top team in the league. Rather than conceding defeat, the team has embraced the challenge, reflecting a positive attitude and a commitment to continuous improvement as they navigate a season of rebuilding under Jacques Martin’s leadership.
Instead, they kept pushing the pace, especially in the third, and found a way to get it to OT.
“That’s one of the best teams in the league, and they’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember,” Chabot said.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We just hung in there. Yes, the power play was frustrating for all of us, but we stuck with it and we ended up tying the game with two power play goals.”
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