There is a lot to like about the Ottawa Senators as we head into the final stretch of the season, including goaltending, defending, and more. The biggest issue that needed to be resolved by this point of the season was goal-scoring. The Senators currently rank 18th in goals-for, but 30th in goals-for at 5-on-5. In the last 10 games, the Senators have 20 5-on-5 goals, which is 15th in the league.
Part of the solution to that has been the addition of Dylan Cozens, but most of the problem has been solved internally.
Senators’ Last 10 Games Showing Positive Signs
The Senators currently sit in the first Wild Card playoff position in the Eastern Conference, which is what a fair goal for them was this season. They are still within striking distance of a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division, but are unlikely to catch up to the Tampa Bay Lightning. As of Mar. 15, the Senators have a five-point gap between them and the second available spot, giving a bit of a cushion. Supported by a five-game winning streak and a 6-3-1 record, they have been doing great, and scoring at a good clip.
In these last 10 games, the Senators have scored 3.40 goals per game. That is much higher than their 2.92 goals per game. At 5-on-5, they have scored 2.00 goals per game, which is a significant jump over what they have averaged in the 55 games prior to the last 10, which was just 1.58 5-on-5 goals per game.
Related: Senators Hit Home Run at Trade Deadline Acquiring Cozens & Zetterlund
The 5-on-5 scoring has come from a few players. Eight players have over four even-strength points in the last 10 games, and while technically, Cozens leads the way, six of those 10 games were as a member of the Buffalo Sabres. In his four games with the Senators, he has three even-strength points.
Shane Pinto, Drake Batherson, and Thomas Chabot lead the way for the rest of the team, and having that production come from the secondary scoring players is a huge bonus for the team.
Power Play Has Been Saving Grace
Throughout all of the struggles the Senators had scoring at even-strength, the power play has been the bright spot. Sitting at third in the league in power play goals with 50, it has been the saving grace of the offensive woes. Jake Sanderson, Tim Stutzle, and Drake Batherson have over 25 points on the powerplay, and Brady Tkachuk just behind at 22.
The first unit has been nearly automatic when getting the option. The second unit could certainly use some more fire-power, but with the efficiency the two units combined have been working at, it is hard to complain.
There is no shortage of talent on the team. With so many high-end players, scoring shouldn’t be an issue.
There has been a trade-off, which has made the team better. Since the beginning of the rebuild, the Senators’ lowest total goals-against in a full season has been 264, and this season they are on track for 234, which is a huge step forward in terms of team defense and goaltending. Head coach Travis Green has undoubtedly made the team better and more responsible, but they need to start showing more consistency in their even-strength scoring.
The play of Stutzle and Tkachuk needs to step up a bit more, but considering the positive developments in their game this season, having slightly lower even-strength scoring is made up by the power play goals.
When looking at team success, goals-for matters. It is one of the most important stats. The thing about that is that when playoff time comes, the officiating changes, and they need to learn how to play at even-strength if they want to be dangerous in the playoffs. As I wrote last week, the additions of Cozens and Fabian Zetterlund should contribute to the issue, but Zetterlund has averaged under 10 minutes and Cozens under 16. The more they adapt to the system, the more they will get, and the more effective they will be. The team is on a five-game win streak, so messing with the mojo isn’t what needs to be done right now.
