It’s Guy Boucher’s first return to Tampa Bay since his 2013 firing
Return to former stomping grounds ‘will be weird’
Ottawa Senators coach Guy Boucher isn’t trying to pretend it’s just another game, just another place.
When he steps into the Amalie Arena today for the first time since being fired by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2013, he knows the memories will come flooding back.
“It will be weird, it will be different,” Boucher said following Wednesday’s practice in nearby Brandon, Fla. “When you’ve invested a lot in somewhere and people are still there, whether it’s just the Zamboni guy or the security people walking in … I think it will be fun. Positive. But it will be a little weird, too, because it has been so long.”
Boucher, who sported a 97-7820 record in two and half seasons as Lightning coach and led the team to the Eastern Conference final in 2011, says any bitterness about being let go is gone. After three years in Switzerland and half a season with the Senators, he’s offering up no negatives.
When the Senators took the ice in Brandon, a message was plastered on a large sheet of paper on the glass: “Welcome Home, Coach Boucher,” accompanied by a heart.
“I have some great memories here. It’s not like I left this place having a bad experience,” he said. “It was very, very positive socially and job-wise. There has been such a separation (in time). It’s a real calm, positive feeling that comes from being here.”
Naturally, Boucher would like nothing better than to walk out of his old home with a fresh victory against a Lightning team now clinging to hopes of making the playoffs.
To do that, the Senators will have to deliver a much more complete, defensively sound effort than they did in Tuesday’s 6-5 loss to the Florida Panthers.
The game was ultimately decided when goaltender Mike Condon misplayed the puck into Jonathan Marchessault’s gift goal to break a 4-4 tie — but that was only part of the overall sloppiness.
“This game yesterday, if we were hard defensively, it would have been our game,” he said.
The Senators couldn’t lock down a game they led 4-2 early in the second period.
Wednesday was all about again focusing on fundamentals, through video and the on-ice workout, where Boucher’s choice words echoed around the rink.
“Our structure has to be much better than last night,” said centre Chris Kelly, who will play career game No. 800 tonight.
“I’m not saying anything that all of us don’t know. They’re a talented team and if we give them time and space and we’re not defending well, it makes for long nights.”
Unlike the previous game, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames last Thursday, Boucher was pleased with the club’s effort in the offensive zone against Florida. The Senators blasted 41 shots at Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo.
They also received some longoverdue production from the defence.
Captain Erik Karlsson, the best player on the ice, broke a 20-game goalless drought. Chris Wideman also scored, blasting a slapshot past Luongo following a pretty feed from Karlsson.
“That’s Erik,” Wideman said. “With the kind of player he is, he draws a lot of attention and (Mark) Stone made an unbelievable play to start the whole thing. Whenever you’re on the ice with skill like that, it opens up the ice for you.”
Yet for Wideman, just like most other players, it was an up and down night as the Senators struggled to find their mental edge post-all-star break. He lost the puck, and the man, on the Panthers’ opening goal.
Those mistakes can’t be repeated against the Lightning.
“That’s back-to-back disappointing losses for us,” Wideman said. “There isn’t any panic in our room, but it’s time to bear down and start picking up points every night again.”
As clichéd as it sounds, Derick Brassard says the short-term focus can’t be on the wins and losses. It’s about trusting that if the players stick to the small details, they’ll come out ahead.
“We have to get back to feeling good about our game,” Brassard said.
“There are always going to be little bumps in the road, but we have to remind ourselves that we have a good team. We’re looking forward to playing a much betterstructured game.”
Nobody would be happier than Boucher. He would be walking out the door of his old arena with even more positive feelings.
“Closure,” he said, “is always good.”