Reverse Sweep? First, Senators Need More From Batherson and Cozens

Despite being down three games to one in their first round series against the Maple Leafs, there are plenty of positives on the side of the Ottawa Senators. The likes of Sanderson, Stützle, Tkachuk, Pinto, and Greig are all examples of young players playing in their first playoffs that have held their own. Of course, there are also reasons that the Senators are indeed one game away from elimination. Two players who would likely admit that they haven’t been good enough are Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens. After closing out the season as a dynamic duo, the pair of skilled forwards have struggled to produce throughout the series. Let’s dive into the details on the struggles of Batherson and Cozens.

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By the Numbers

Through four games. Batherson has one goal and two points with Cozens has just one assist. Here are some other important stats from Batherson and Cozens, comparing their regular season with the Senators to their four playoff games:

• Batherson, Season: 18:09 time on ice per game, 2.34 shots per game, 1.98 missed/blocked shots per game,  30 PIMs, 6 hits per 60 minutes
• Batherson, Playoffs: 17:52 time on ice per game, 2.25 shots per game, 2.75 missed/blocked shots per game, 10 PIMs, 14.3 hits per 60 minutes
• Cozens, Season: 16:37 time on ice per game, 2.33 shots per game, 1.43 missed/blocked shots per game, 6 PIMs, 9.8 hits per 60 minutes,
• Cozens, Playoffs: 16:41 time on ice per game, 2.75 shots per game, 3.5 missed/blocked shots per game, 12 PIMs, 18.9 hits per 60 minutes

Addressing the Issues

Compared to their regular seasons, both players have been given similar ice-time. They’ve both seen their shots per game remain similar. What has changed the most is how much more physical they are playing, and how many more shots from them are either being blocked or missing the net.

Let’s start with Batherson. He is seeing 0.77 more of his shots blocked/missing the net per game in the playoffs compared to the season. He’s averaged 8.3 more hits per 60 minutes in the playoffs compared to the season. Lastly, he’s already at 10 penalty minutes in four playoff games after just 30 penalty minutes in 82 season games.

For Cozens, he is seeing an astonishing 2.07 more of his shots blocked/missing the net in the playoffs compared to the season. He’s averaged 9.1 more hits per 60 minutes in the playoffs compared to the season. After just 6 penalty minutes in the season with the Sens, he’s at 12 penalty minutes in the playoffs.

What’s Next for Batherson and Cozens

It seems like both players are having the same issues. It’s almost as though they view the playoffs the same way the fans do. That mindset being, it’s a time where the game is so much more physical! You have to step your game up! Throw everything to the net, good things will happen! Well, that has led to both players being thrown off their normal games. Yes, they should try to be physical. Yes they should put pucks to the net.

Think about why they were so successful during the season, though. They are creative, offensive players. This is a Leafs team that is determined to block every shot. They currently lead the playoffs with 21.74 blocked shots per 60 minutes. Batherson and Cozens have seemingly played right into this. Instead of trying to play with creativity, they have played a simple game where they throw pucks to the net and play as physical as possible. It has led to Batherson taking some horrible penalties. It has led to very little offense from both of them.

Going forward, both of these players need to find the right balance between trying to keep up with the intensity of playoff hockey, and playing the style of game that made them successful down the stretch this season. Inevitably, that is so much easier said than done. Time and time again, young players learn the hard way how tough it is to succeed in the playoffs. If the Senators have any chance of coming back in this series, though, both Batherson and Cozens will need to step their game up.