SOME SILVER LININGS IN LOSS TO LEAFS
Anderson, Chlapik look good for Sens in second 4-1 result in two nights
OK, let’s begin with the positives.
In the first home ice glimpse of the post-Erik Karlsson Ottawa Senators, the check marks start where they have to start if they have any hope of being competitive when the games matter in October.
Goaltender Craig Anderson was solid in the 4-1 pre-season loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre, stopping 16 of 17 shots in his 30 minutes of action.
For those who keep track of exhibition game results with rosters only half full (a thirdfull?) of NHL players, the Maple Leafs have swept the Senators on consecutive nights. Toronto also defeated the Senators 4-1 at the Kraft Hockeyville game in Lucan, Ont., on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Anderson was especially sharp in the first half of the second period, when the Maple Leafs cranked up their game against an exhausted and overwhelmed Senators defence.
The only goal Anderson allowed came from Auston Matthews, left all alone in the slot after the Maple Leafs spent several minutes buzzing around the Senators zone.
That, of course, leads to the negatives. The second period push from the Maple Leafs, along with a stream of odd-man rushes in the third period, could very well be a sign of things to come for Anderson and backup goalie Mike Condon, as the Senators will head into the season with a largely inexperienced blue line.
The defence that was on the ice Wednesday — Cody Ceci, Ben Harpur, Max Lajoie, Christian Jaros, Andreas Englund and Julius Bergman — had trouble containing the Leafs for extended stretches.
Jeremy Bracco padded the lead to 2-0, taking advantage of a bad line change before tucking the puck past Mike McKenna, who played the final 30 minutes in the Senators net.
The Senators rallied, with Filip Chlapik scoring a power-play goal following some good puck movement and persistence in front of the net.
Yet after a defensive zone turnover from Harpur, Tyler Ennis restored the two-goal lead, putting the game out of reach. Ennis put additional icing on the victory by scoring into an empty net.
What about Tkachuk?: Beforehand, Brady Tkachuk at least sounded like a 19-year-old preparing for his first NHL pre-season game, talking about nerves and not getting ahead of himself.
Tkachuk talked about “staying within the boundaries” and not going “too crazy,” but as the game went on, he showed signs of what the fuss is all about.
With linemate Mark Stone leading the way, the club’s fourth overall draft selection in June made himself a presence in and around the net, just failing to convert while stationed outside the crease on a second period power play. Early in the third period, Tkachuk just missed Stone with a pass through the slot. Along with Chris Tierney, acquired from San Jose as part of trade for Karlsson, the line had their share of chances.
Tkachuk displayed his feisty edge during a spirited crosschecking exchange with Nikita Zaitsev, receiving an extra minor for his actions. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was a good debut.
Watch out for Chlapik: Inone breath, Chlapik says he has to play his “own game.” In the next, he says he has to embrace a harder edge in his bid to secure a spot, most likely as a fourth-line centre.
He stood out as one of the Senators’ best Wednesday.
In the first period, the line of Chlapik, Rudolfs Balcers and Ben Sexton was Ottawa’s best, creating chances thanks to a strong forecheck and solid boardwork.
“I want to bring in some more hits and something like that,” said Chlapik, who has slid under the radar somewhat amid the forward prospect pool that includes Tkachuk, Alex Formenton, Drake Batherson and Logan Brown. “Or be a little rat out there. I think that’s good, too.” So does Boucher.
“Every time I see this guy, he goes down (to Belleville of the AHL), he comes up and he has picked it up every time. He’s harder. He’s tougher. He gets it. You can see he has definitely become a pro. One thing is for sure, he’s knocking on the door.”
Chlapik, who scored one goal and three assists in 20 games with the Senators last season, was impressive.
He created room for himself and linemates with physical play. He generated offensive chances throughout, including deking through the Maple Leafs defence on an extended penalty call in the second period.
The third period power play goal was a reward for his determination.
Wideman gives thumbs-up to return: Well in the background behind Tuesday’s televised lovein for John Tavares, a weight was quietly lifted off Chris Wideman’s shoulders.
“It’s a little different than the regular season, but definitely a step in the right direction and I felt pretty good,” said Wideman, who was playing in his first game since Nov. 16, when he suffered a torn hamstring after Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin fell on him.
“Everything is about the same, if not better (from November), which is exciting for me.”