A middling record of 4-5-0 in November has slid into a tumultuous December where the Ottawa Senators earned only six of a possible 20 points.
The team let go of head coach D.J. Smith and assistant Davis Payne in Arizona after dropping four consecutive games. The Senators have since lost two more decisions with Jacques Martin at the helm and Daniel Alfredsson by his side.
While December 23 is usually the day to air grievances in honor of Festivus, made popular on the television sitcom Seinfeld, that list may be too lengthy, especially if one takes a poll comprised of Senators’ fans.
With one more game at home Saturday evening versus Erik Karlsson and the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Senators and their fans hope Santa brings them welcoming gifts for the holidays and the new year ahead.
Here are five that should be included on the Senators’ wishlist.
Wins
Mired in a six-game losing skid, the Senators have only 11 victories in 28 games. The team sits last in the Eastern Conference standings, 16 points out of the final Wildcard spot. Yes, the Senators hold five games in hand on the eighth-place Carolina Hurricanes. However, they need to win all of them, and they will still be six points short.
Last season, the final wildcard team garnered 92 points. For the Senators to reach that lofty total, the team must collect 70 out of a possible 108 points in their remaining 54 games. For this to ring true, the Senators must play at a .648 pace the rest of the way.
Improved Special Teams
Last season, the Senators possessed the NHL’s eighth-best power play. While the PP has been slightly better of late, rising two spots in the league’s ranking during the past week, the unit ranks 20th league-wide, which is not ideal for a team that’s received, on average, the second-most power play opportunities (4.1 per game) awarded in the NHL.
Thursday in Denver, the club failed to score on three consecutive man advantages after the Avalanche notched a third-period game-tying controversial goal, which appeared to be offside and tallied another on the ensuing power play after the Senators were awarded a delay of game penalty.
The Senators penalty-killing unit finished a respectable 14th in 2022-23. This season, the PK is the league’s worst.
The unit allowed four goals on five Avalanche opportunities Thursday. Nathan Mackinnon and Mikko Rantanen had their way with the Senators’ squad and were the difference in what ended a one-goal game.
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Shane Pinto
Shane Pinto is eligible to return from his 41-game suspension on January 21 in Philadephia. While his debut is still at least 13 games away, the Senators need Pinto in their lineup.
The 23-year-old registered 20 goals in the first full season. Pinto played in all situations, filling a key role last season as the centre on the team’s second forward unit.
Having Pinto in the lineup as the club’s third-line pivot makes the Senators’ forward core exponentially better.
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Goals for Tim Stützle
While it’s early, with 25 assists in 28 games this season, Stützle is on pace to eclipse Jason Spezza‘s franchise record 71 helpers. Assists are nice; however, Stützle is paid to score goals.
Last season., his third in the NHL, saw the soon-to-be 22-year-old net a team-high 39 markers; he’s currently on pace for less than 20 this season. Though, it’s not for the lack of chances. Stützle has launched 17 shots on goal during his past six-game goalless streak.
A rejuvenated captain
After their latest loss, Brady Tkachuk said, “It’s hard to look at positives right now. It’s a pretty shitty feeling, and I don’t think I’ve felt worse in my life.” The captain added, “At the end of the day it starts with me as a leader. Individually, I’m not there and playing the way I need to be playing. It’s on me, and I feel like it’s trickling down, as the leader, to do a better job and as the guy in charge.”
As captain, Tkachuk is shouldering the load. But one has to remember that Tkachuk is only 24 years old and hasn’t seen the playoffs in what is now his sixth pro season.
Winning cures what ails and Tkachuk is at his menacing best when the Senators are winning.
Happy holidays to all. Especially to D.J. Smith and his family, who’ve endured a lot of angst from a portion of the Senators’ fanbase over the past several weeks.