Sens blueliner ready for tougher test
Facing high-powered Hawks ‘a challenge’ for rookie rearguard Fredrik Claesson in his second NHL game
CHICAGO — Fredrik Claesson passed his first test, but the next one promises to be much, much tougher.
In his NHL debut at Canadian Tire Centre Wednesday, the 23-year old former fifth-round pick received glowing reviews for his 12:20 of work, which started and included a number of other shifts alongside two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.
The opponents were the New Jersey Devils, who average a leaguelow 24.9 shots on goal per game and against the Senators, scored twice in the first period before going into a defensive shell.
Defending against them won’t be nearly the same as going into a loud United Center Sunday night against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, who by utilizing their own blueliners on the attack are hockey’s equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters.
Judging by Saturday’s practice — and that coach Dave Cameron said there will be “no changes” to his lineup — Claesson will again start the game with Karlsson on the first pairing.
Does the prospect of going up against Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Co. sound a bit intimidating, Freddy?
“A challenge,” Claesson said. “They have a lot of skilled guys. It will be a hard game, for sure. But I don’t know about (intimidating). It’s going to be a lot of excitement. Of course you’re going to be a little nervous, but it’s just the fun part of it.”
If he sticks to his plan, Cameron will again put Jared Cowen in the press box as a healthy scratch while using Patrick Wiercioch and Mark Borowiecki as his second pairing and Marc Methot, Karlsson’s usual partner, alongside Chris Wideman.
The Senators, who have surrendered a league high 33.8 shots on goal per game, will need a strong performance from their blueliners to start 2016 off with a victory that would also halt their losing streak at two games.
Asked what he liked about Claesson’s debut, Cameron said: “His whole game. He was good with the puck, he was good without the puck, good gap, made good decisions when he had it. Didn’t force plays. Good decisions.” Playing with Karlsson helped. “I can talk Swedish to him and the guys don’t really understand it, so it’s good,” Claesson said. “It’s just easy to be out there with him, He’s so good, you’ve just got to give him the puck.”
Claesson, of course, won’t be jumping over the boards every shift with Karlsson. It’s tough to keep up with that kind of pace for anyone. The Senators captain recently moved past Minnesota’s Ryan Suter as the most used player in the league with an average of 28:22 ice time per game. In total, he has worked 1,078:05 — or almost 21 minutes more than the next busiest player, St. Louis Blues defenceman Alex Pietrangelo.
But Karlsson wouldn’t mind playing with his country-mate all night, either.
“I think he did a great job (Wednesday). Solid guy to play with,” Karlsson said. “It’s not like he’s making my life harder even though it was his first game. Pretty sure he’ll have a lot more games coming up for him.”
Karlsson didn’t offer Claesson any words of advice before the game.
“No. For him, a young guy, it’s mostly about getting the timing in and having good gap, and not getting scared of being too passive,” he said. “I think he did a great job of that. He was moving the puck quick and he was moving his feet. That’s all you can ask from him. Try to be as confident as you can out there, and play the same way you know you can. Try and not overthink too much. The worst thing you can do is be too passive.”
While Cameron said he had yet to decide on his starting goalie, it has to be Craig Anderson, a Chicago native who has fared well against the team that gave him his first NHL chance.
Anderson made 35 saves when the Senators defeated the Blackhawks 4-3 in overtime in Ottawa Dec. 3.
“We obviously don’t play the way they can,” Anderson said. “We have our own style of play. The amazing thing is they very rarely dump the puck in and give you the puck.
“They make you work for it to get it back.”
So what made the Senators successful against Chicago last month?
“We didn’t get caught up in all their fancy plays,” Anderson said. “They hold onto the puck. If you get mesmerized by that, sometimes they can lull you to sleep a little bit. You gave to be ready for when they do attack, even if they’re building speed.
“It’s just a matter of us playing defensively sound the way we’re capable of and give ourselves an opportunity to win that way.”