The Ottawa Senators are off to a 1-1 start to the new season, but if we’re being honest, they’ve probably been outplayed in five of their six periods so far. They defeated the Florida Panthers on Thursday night, hanging on for dear life in the second half of that game, and getting some big stops from newcomer Linus Ullmark. And in a 4-1 loss in Montreal on Saturday, it was pretty much all Canadiens.
After the game, head coach Travis Green spoke about potential teaching moments in games like that.
“When you win a game, and especially at this time of the year when you lose a game, you get something from it, teaching moments,” Green told the media. “We’ll definitely watch the game again and learn some things from our game tonight for sure.”
Green generally doesn’t like to share that much info with the media, but here’s what he probably saw in the video today, along with the teaching moments and conclusions.
Emil Heineman makes it 1-0 Montreal
In the dying seconds of a first-period power play, three of Ottawa’s penalty killers all positioned themselves along the boards on a 50/50 puck. Travis Hamonic and Shane Pinto were already there, and Noah Gregor drifted over to join them. When Montreal’s Christian Dvorak won the puck, the only Senator minding the store, Tyler Kleven, left his post in front of Ottawa’s net to attack Dvorak down below the goal line. Dvorak passed it to Heineman, who was left totally alone in front and one-timed it past Ullmark.
Conclusion/Teaching Moment: Don’t cheat on 50/50 pucks. Weak side forward and defenceman need to stay at home and protect the middle, especially on the PK.
Cole Caufield makes it 2-0 Montreal
Brady Tkachuk made a strange move to fall out of position at the Ottawa blue line, which gave Montreal numbers. Thomas Chabot covered his man in front, so Nick Jensen switched sides with him to pick up the loose forward at the far post. As a result, Chabot was a hair late getting out to challenge Caufield, who ripped it, short-side, over Ullmark’s shoulder. Ullmark was positioned low and could have done a better job sealing off the top corner. He moved to a perfect position after the puck went in.
Conclusion/Teaching Moment: These small mistakes usually don’t cost you a goal. Sometimes, you just have to tip your cap to a great shot.
Alex Newhook makes it 3-0 Montreal
Chabot attempted a slow hip check on the boards that Kaiden Guhle evaded easily, giving him time to make an easy pass back to Lane Hutson. Hutson passed to Newhook, and by this point, all three Ottawa forwards had set up shop on the same side, leaving an easy lane to the net for Newhook, who walked in and scored.
If Ullmark seemed slow to move to his right, it’s because he may have been interfered with. Watch #91, Oliver Kapanen, at the right post. He may have hooked Ullmark’s left arm. Kapanen’s stick came flying out of his hands as Ullmark pushed across to the far post.
Conclusion/Teaching Moment: Forwards have to cover for each other. Greig went to the far boards with his man; Tkachuk met his man at the point. Greig looked like he thought Norris would cover his side for him. But he didn’t, giving Newhook the lane he needed.
Caufield makes it 4-1 Montreal
Jensen moved up to join the offence and took a shot. Chabot needed to read that and be ultra-conservative, but he decided to drift into the zone as well. That led to an easy breakaway on transition for Montreal. Suzuki was gone, with both Chabot and Jensen in pursuit. Neither of them had a prayer of catching Suzuki, so one of them should have stopped and picked up Caufield, the trailer, who rolled in behind everyone and buried the rebound. That goal meant game over.
Conclusion/Teaching Moment: It should go without saying, but if your D partner is already deep in the zone, you have to stay as high as possible, ready to get back.
There’s not much to give thanks for in today’s video session, but Happy Thanksgiving from The Hockey News Ottawa, all the same.
