Sens Home Opener Recap
The Senators opened their season Wednesday at home. Going into the game the team came into the season with a lot of optimism. With new coaches and new players including: Derick Brassard, Chris Kelly, Tom Pyatt, and Thomas Chabot, the team looked like it should improve on its abysmal defense and special teams ratings last season.
There was great pace throughout the game, with both teams getting some solid chances. Auston Matthews scored the first of his career as he opened the scoring at 8:21 of the first period. In the next 4 minutes the Senators would add two goals of their own from Bobby Ryan and Erik Karlsson. Matthews would add another before the period ends leaving it tied at 2 with the Sens leading in shots 13-9.
In the second the Sens let up a bit as penalties became a problem. Matthews would go on to add two more goals to his resume and Derick Brassard would add his first as a Senator. The period ended with the Leafs having a 4-3 lead as well as a 19-8 shot advantage that period.
The final period wasn’t a goal fest like the others. Turris would tie it up at 6:45 of the 3rd and that would be all the action as they headed to overtime with Leafs sporting a 38-29 shot advantage and 6-4 powerplay advantage. The extra frame would only be open for 37 seconds before a slick tick-tac-toe was made between Stone, Karlsson and had Turris finish the game. Sens win their opener 5-4 in O.T.
While the pace was strong all game it was clear there is still a lot of work to be done on defense and with discipline. With the team being outshot once again and having given up 6 powerplays it was like the 15/16 Sens were still on the ice. The bright spot was the penalty kill which gave up no powerplay goals in its six trips to the ice. Guy Boucher has pointed out that it will take time for the team to adjust to the system in place, but it is always nice for the team to open the season on a winning note.
The Sens play again tomorrow against the Montreal Canadians. Game time is 7PM/Est at the Canadian Tire Centre.
