The Ottawa Senators have a lot of work to do to get back into the National Hockey League Eastern Conference playoffs, but if they put on a performance like Thursday’s, they’ll make it.
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Head coach DJ Smith’s men fired 47 shots in a 5-3 win over the Arizona Coyotes, setting a .500 record. They’ve started a three-game streak down the road, seven points down for a playoff-entry spot. Also, it was necessary to return to success after two consecutive setbacks at home, as failures had slowed the pace previously achieved.
“They don’t want to experience bottlenecks. I believe this team is able to have a winning streak at any time. Every win in this league gives you a little bit of confidence, especially on the outside,” Smith told the Ottawa Sun.
Even if Thursday’s opponents are weak on paper, no one should be taken lightly in the NHL, said the driver, whose club remains seventh in the Atlantic Division.
“We were generous at first, but I liked what I saw. It’s hard to win at this track. You can’t cheat, he realized. We stayed in the games where we got shot over and that’s what you have to do.”
Captain Brady Tkachuk also believes result is everything. “It’s not always what we planned, but we’re happy to accept it. Those are two important points that we needed,” he said.
positive elements
Besides Smith, who reached the 100 NHL game milestone, there are others who can celebrate on the Senators’ side. Alex DeBrincat hit back with a goal and an assist for Tempe. Simultaneously halting a streak of four matchups without a point, he also ended with a terrible -5 difference against the Kraken of Seattle on Saturday.
For his part, veteran Claude Giroux has recorded two assists for the fourth time in his last seven games; He has 23 this season.
The Federal Capital Team will visit the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The duel will be broadcast on the TVA Sports 2 channel.