Since my time away due to family events, the Ottawa Senators were able to win games against the Western Conference. They have continued to be consistent with around a 0.500 win/loss record of 2-2-1 in my time away in the previous 5 games they have played.
Ottawa fell to the Vancouver Canucks for their five game losing streak; followed by by their first home win since Nov. 2 against Calgary to go 1-3-0 on their final home stretch for the month.
The Senators managed to get three of six available points in California, with a win against the Sharks; a regulation loss to the Kings; and a shootout loss against the Ducks.
The usual suspects have been performing for the Senators, but the big story has been the rise of forward Adam Gaudette. Gaudette, who started the season in the minors, has scored 12 goals in 23 games on 33 shots on net. That is an impressive 36% shooting percentage. Only captain Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle have double digit goal production; with Tkachuk leading Gaudette in team goal scoring. Only Gaudette and Stutzle are active plus players on the team's offense.
Defense and goaltending continue to be big problems in Ottawa, as there is a lack of offensive production and consistent save percentage.
A quarter of the way through the season and only four defensemen have scored one goal. Seven defensemen have skated for the Senators, and have had next to no production. Artem Zub has been injured twice, only skating in 11 games of 24. Travis Hamonic has been in all games but one and only has an assist and a team worst -11. Jacob Bernard-Docker who continues to be rotated in the lineup has more points and is a plus player with less ice time.
Both Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg have under a 0.900 save percentage, smelling disaster if things do not change for them. The goaltending is part of the reason why they are 27th in goals against at 3.
Ottawa comes home on Thursday for "County Night" against Detroit, starting a four game home stand before a lengthy western road trip before the end of the calendar year. Sebastian Cossa might be the starter as former Senators' goalie Cam Talbot is injured. Perron is expected to return against his former team after missing Sunday's game. After Pittsburgh on Dec. 14, the next home game is Jan. 9, 2025.
Dec. 1 - @ Anaheim
Dec. 5 - v Detroit
Dec. 7 - v Nashville
Dec. 8 - v New York Islanders
Dec. 11 - v Anaheim
Dec. 13 - @ Carolina
Dec. 14 - v Pittsburgh
Dec. 17 - @ Seattle
Dec. 19 - @ Calgary
Dec. 21 - @ Vancouver
Dec. 22 - @ Edmonton
Dec. 28 - @ Winnipeg
Dec. 29 - @ Minnesota
If Ottawa wants to turn the ship around, they have the chance to at home; but may need to tweak at the main roster to get support up and down the roster to shake things around. The Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch has reported Norris may be available; with the Sens looking at Fowler(ANA); Jones (CHI); Pettersson (PIT); and/or Struble (MTL).
The fire alarms have begun to go off through the media waves that it is time for the Senators' management to no longer sit still and make a move. If you are in the chair of general manager of the Ottawa Senators, what do you do?
Comment your plan of action here!
24 1st RD Yakemchuk Left Off Canada World Junior Roster
Cater Yakemchuk left off Team Canada for the 2025 WJC despite having 23 points in 20 games as a defenseman. The seventh overall pick from the 2024 draft has 9 goals and 14 assists, but is a -1.
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