Lalime is a Hammond fan
The goaltender with the most wins in Ottawa Senators history sees a little bit of himself in Andrew Hammond.
No wonder. Patrick Lalime’s NHL career began in similar fashion.
In 1996-97, Lalime broke into the league with the Pittsburgh Penguins registering 14 wins, no losses and two ties in his first 16 starts, taking over the net from Ken Wregget.
It remains the longest stretch without a defeat to start a career in league history.
“It reminds me of my younger days,” Lalime said of Hammond’s run in the Senators’ net. “He got his chance and he took it.”
Lalime, who went on to win 146 games and produce 30 shutouts in 283 regular-season games for the Senators, is now a commentator for TVA, and he was in Nassau Coliseum Friday, getting a first-hand look at Hammond.
“You can tell he’s a battler, a fighter,” said Lalime. “He’s not your typical control style goaltender. He makes more reaction-type saves. He’s a mature guy. He’s enjoying himself.”
Like most of the hockey world, Lalime didn’t know much about Hammond when he first stepped into the Senators’ net. Lalime’s appreciation grew as the Hammond’s win count climbed. Another measure of respect was added when Hammond defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 Thursday at the Bell Centre after six days away from game action.
“I was looking forward to seeing how he would react to that game after being out of the net for a while, and he could have had time to start thinking about everything,” he said. “But he doesn’t get distracted. You’ve got to tip your hat to the guy. He approaches it all the right way. I’ve been very impressed.”
SWEET MEMORIES FOR CAMERON
Barring a meeting between the Senators and Islanders in the playoffs, Friday marked Ottawa’s final appearance in the Nassau Coliseum. The Islanders are moving to Brooklyn following the season, leaving behind the building best known for being home to the Islanders dynasty in the early 1980s.
“My first two training camps were here, I was drafted by the Islanders,” said Senators coach Dave Cameron. “My first camp in this building was in 1979. “In my second year with the Islanders, I was part of the taxi squad for the team that won the Stanley Cup, so I got to spend six weeks with a great hockey team.”
Cameron says being around a Hall of Fame group, including Denis Potvin, Bryan Trottier, Mike Bossy and Billy Smith, taught him about the importance of being ready.
“There was an unbelievable focus,” said Cameron. “They had a lot of fun on off days. On game day, it was like a cloud would come over in terms of a focus and preparation. It was amazing.”
A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME IS ...
If Cameron chooses to dub his energy trio of Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Erik Condra and Curtis Lazar as The Grunt Line, that’s just fine with Condra.
“It’s a new nickname every day, I guess,” Condra said before facing the New York Islanders Friday.
You can usually bank on the line producing against the Montreal Canadiens.
After scoring the tying goal in Thursday’s 5-2 comeback win, Condra has scored three times in four games against Montreal this season — one-third of his careerhigh total of nine goals — along with an assist.
Pageau, who scored a playoff hat trick against Montreal with Condra on his line in 2013, saves his best for the Canadiens. On Thursday, he pulled Carey Price well out of the net before passing to Condra outside the crease for the pivotal goal.
So, naturally, the question was asked Friday about how many goals Condra would score in a season if he played with Pageau against Montreal every game.
“Well, 82, I guess,” he said. “One of us would have a goal, right?”
The Grunt Line wants to score as often as possible, but the primary goal is to make smart plays in the proper places at the right times.
“I trust they’re going to get it in (the zone) at their blue-line and out at our blue-line.,” said Condra. “And when you have that trust, it makes it easier to play. You’re not second guessing anything.”
TAKING YOUR LUMPS
Bobby Ryan has no bitterness toward Montreal defenceman Jeff Petry, who sent him flying into the end boards during Thursday’s game. If Ryan is upset with anyone, it’s himself. “It was a really good hit, a great hit,” said Ryan, who had the wind knocked out of him. “I was watching my pass, watching my shot.”