Big Game Brass is pumped for the playoffs
His nickname is Big Game Brass.
Derick Brassard has come by that name honestly because when the post-season rolls around, that’s when the former Ottawa Senators centre steps up his game.
That’s why the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired him on Feb. 23.
“It’s great timing getting traded to one of the top teams in the league,” said Brassard, who has 22 goals and 55 points in 78 career playoff games. “I love playing at playoff time. It’s always the best time. That’s where the games really count and there’s a lot of emotion and passion in the buildings around the league.”
Brassard will suit up against his former club Friday when the Penguins host the Senators.
The big matchup heading into the game will pit Sens blue-liner Cody Ceci against Sidney Crosby.
You have to think with Erik Karlsson away from the team, Ceci is going to get some big minutes against the Penguins. He faces the top players many nights and had 27 minutes of ice time Wednesday against Buffalo.
Shutting down Crosby is a huge task. The Penguins captain has 15 goals and 41 points in 37 career games against the Sens.
Here are five things to watch for in Friday’s game:
1. The Senators have some of the NHL’s worst penalty killing units, while Pittsburgh sports the top-ranked power play.
2. Goaltender Craig Anderson noted after the win in Buffalo that while the Senators gave up a lot of shots (34), his teammates did a good job keeping the front of the net clear by getting rid of rebounds.
3. The Senators are coming off a 4-2 victory and they’ve got two difficult games to finish the season, including this one against the Penguins, who are battling for playoff positioning. The Senators can’t afford to let Pittsburgh control the pace.
4. The Senators were able to get a goal from Max McCormick in Buffalo, plus a goal and an assist from Alex Burrows. He finished plus-3 against the Sabres and it’s the small things that can make a big difference on the scoreboard.
5. The Senators used the word pride a lot after the Sabres locked up last place with Wednesday’s loss to Ottawa. The Senators have nothing to play for, but that doesn’t mean they should throw in the towel on the final weekend, either.