Ottawa Senators Postgame: Great Effort Ruined by Penalty Kill

That right there, folks, is an extremely frustrating loss. The Ottawa Senators controlled the play from start to finish, outshooting the New York Islanders 31-13. Add to that 21 shots that were blocked by the Islanders, plus several that missed the net, and it was clear that the Senators were the superior team tonight. Well, superior in most ways. The Islanders had the better goaltender, and Islanders had the better power play. Those things tend to matter. Ilya Sorokin was phenomenal, and the Islanders scored on both their power play opportunities. In the end it was the Islanders leaving Ottawa with a 4-2 win. Let’s dive into the details.

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Pathetic Penalty Kill

The Ottawa Senators penalty kill continues to struggle. They have now given up 20 goals on 77 attempts. That puts their PK at just 74%, eighth worst in the league. They can never get a kill when they need it most. Tonight, the Senators had a third period power play with a chance to take the lead. The Isles, who have the worst penalty kill in the league, came up with a gutsy kill. A few minutes later, it was the Sens turn to come up with a big kill. They were unable to get the job done, allowing Kyle Palmieri to walk right in for the game winner. The Senators also controlled most of the first period. Wouldn’t you know it, they gave up a power play goal to allow the Islanders to go into the first intermission tied at one.

This has gone on all season. Up by a goal in the third against Detroit, they gave up a power play goal. Down a goal to Los Angeles, they gave up the putaway, power play goal. Up one against San Jose in the third, they gave up a power play goal. Down a goal in the third against the Rangers, they gave up a power play goal to go down two. Up by one late in the game against Vegas, they gave up a power play goal. How about wanting to start the game strong? Well, they went on the penalty kill early against the Ducks, and ended up giving up a goal to start the game down one. They failed to convert on a five minute major against the Canucks. Then, they take a penalty late in the first and give up the game’s first goal.

Needless to say, this needs to be fixed. I’d like to see a more aggressive penalty kill. More desperation would be nice, too. And then of course, it’ll often come down to the goalie making the save, which hasn’t happened enough this season.

Great Efforts From Stützle and Batherson

When the Senators dominate like they did, it would be silly to focus on just negatives. Stützle and Batherson were fantastic tonight. They were skating great, moving the puck with authority, creating chance after chance, all the while doing what they could to help out on the defensive side of the rink as well. Stützle ended up assisting on both Ottawa Senators goals, while Batherson picked up an assist as well, a beauty on the Josh Norris power play goal. Both these guys have benefitted from the coaching change, playing with a ton of confidence and pushing themselves to be better defensively. Now, I do have one criticism of Stützle’s game- shoot the puck more. There were a few good looks that he passed up tonight. But again, these two were awesome tonight, and have been for much of the season.

Additional Notes

I would’ve started Linus Ullmark tonight. The Senators don’t play again until Wednesday, and he’s been fantastic lately. Patrick Roy decided to start Sorokin in the same back to back situation, and you saw how that worked out. Sure, that might have something to do with Marcus Hogberg sitting in as the Islanders backup with Semyon Varlamov hurt, but it’s not like goalies are incapable of playing two days in a row. Sorokin certainly showed that tonight. Anton Forsberg certainly wasn’t busy, facing just 12 shots all night. When he needed to make the big save, he couldn’t get it done.

Shane Pinto is officially snake-bit. He went from injured, to quiet, to playing well but just not being able to score a goal. Given those three options, give me the one we’re seeing now. Eventually, the puck will go in. Speaking of the puck going in, Adam Gaudette just keeps scoring. He’s now at a career high 13 goals, in just 26 games! Josh Norris is another feel-good story, sitting just one goal behind the great Gaudette. Lastly, does anyone else feel completely hopeless when the Senators pull the goalie?