Ottawa Wraps Up Impressive Preseason
While the pre-season was a long eight games, the team’s performance was reassuring especially given the outside noise that remains a distraction amongst the fanbase. They started out with a back-to-back against the Maple Leafs and came out on top with their first game.
Game #1: 3-2-win vs Toronto
Coming out of the gates with a 3-2 win, their best players were their best players. The top line of Tkachuk-Stutzle-Giroux dominated against a fairly thin Maple Leafs lineup. Tim Stutzle came into the game flying, looking like he was in mid-season form. Jake Sanderson was Jake Sanderson, racking up 27 minutes of ice time and 2 assists. Among tweeners there were some standouts. Jiri Smejkal quickly made an impression, showing physicality and adding an assist. Egor Sokolov while he didn’t score, he was playing with purpose as he entered the biggest camp of his life.
Game #2: 4-3 OT Win @Toronto
The second game of the home and home saw the other half of rosters make its way to Toronto against Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Despite the Leafs having more star power, the Sens managed to scrape out a 4-3 win in overtime. Jakob Chychrun made an immediate impact with two goals, including the game winner. Roby Jarventie was the only player to play in both games that weekend and started a solid camp in this game. He picked up his first goal of the pre-season but also looked much more complete. His physicality is becoming a part of his game and seems to be playing much better at center. Tomas Hamara only played 8 minutes and was quickly sent down to junior after this game.
Game #3: 4-3 Loss @Montreal
The Sens then made their way out to Montreal, carrying a mostly bubble roster. The team fell 4-3 to a pretty good Canadiens roster that had their top stars in Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. This roster hung with the Canadiens, but allowed two late goals and couldn’t capitalize on opportunities in the 3rd period. Mathieu Joseph was this teams’ MVP, scoring two goals in identical fashion. Jiri Smejkal picked up another assist and Joonas Korpisalo made his team debut going 17/21 in the save department. It was the team’s first loss of the pre-season, but a respectable one.
Game #4: 3-1 Win vs Winnipeg
While the bubble players made their way from Montreal, most of the team’s starters remained home to prepare for their game against the Winnipeg Jets. Though the Jets barely played any NHL players, the Sens still didn’t disappoint. The group came out with a 3-1 win after a great performance from young goaltenders. Leevi Merilainen and Kevin Mandolese split the game, with both putting up respectable stat lines. Jarventie scored again and Claude Giroux scored one of the best goals of the pre-season. With Brady Tkachuk out of the lineup, we saw Jiri Smejkal take reps on the first powerplay and (once again) didn’t look out of place.
Game #5: 4-2 Win @Florida
In Drake Batherson’s homecoming, we saw him dominate en route to a 4-2 win on a roster filled with bubble players. Up against a likewise depleted roster in the Florida Panthers, Batherson was the game MVP with a goal and 3 assists. Jiri Smejkal and Roby Jarventie both tallied a goal and an assist while taking reps alongside Batherson. Anton Forsberg was solid, going 33/35 in the save department. It was also a homecoming of sorts for Egor Sokolov but saw him go scoreless.
Game #6: 3-0 Win @Pittsburgh
This game made Sens land feel like the squad might be onto something this year. Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins were headlining this neutral site game and had the crowd to back them up. While the Ottawa Senators were outshot by a fair margin, they came out with a 3-0 win on the shoulders of Joonas Korpisalo who went 41/41 in the save department. The regulars got on the scoreboard and Ridly Greig notched a goal that made you feel like he was NHL ready. While they were outshot, the team defense was exceptional and looked complete from 1 through 6.
Game #7: 3-0 Win @Winnipeg
In what seemed like Josh Bailey’s statement game, this mostly NHL caliber roster recorded another shutout, this time with Anton Forsberg between the pipes. What was yet another solid game by the same starting six on defense, we saw another great defensive performance against a decent Winnipeg Jets roster. Claude Giroux scored a smooth breakaway goal, while Josh Bailey and Jakob Chychrun both scored powerplay goals. It was another tidy piece of business for the Sens.
Game #8: 6-4 loss vs Montreal
What was a roster basically identical to the previous game against the Canadiens, it saw the Sens fall once again late. Parker Kelly had his best pre-season game and got on the scoresheet as well. 2020 draft picks Ridly Greig and Roby Jarventie both scored 3rd period goals. Travis Hamonic had a tough night, only playing 15 minutes and recording a -3 rating.
As the season opener approaches, there still looms questions about Josh Norris and Shane Pinto. But one thing to draw from this pre-season is the defense is suddenly this team’s strength. No small feat given what this unit looked like only a few seasons prior.
They’re also getting the goaltending to make much needed saves at key points of the game. While the offensive pieces will find themselves as the season commences, this roster is more well rounded than outsiders may think.
-Damian Smith
Twitter: @Damian__Smith
Photo: Jenn G. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.