SENATORS FORCED TO GO ON DEFENSIVE
Boucher shifts strategy, shuffles lineup in attempt to tighten up goals against
It was a short trip from the fourth line to the first line for Tom Pyatt.
In this case, coach Guy Boucher has to try something.
As the Ottawa Senators prepared to take on the New York Rangers Monday night with a skate Sunday at Madison Square Garden, Pyatt, a veteran winger who isn’t known for his scoring prowess, had a new home on the left side of Matt Duchene and Drake Batherson.
That’s because after giving up a league-high 100 goals in the first 23 games, including 12 in two losses to start this trip, Boucher can’t afford to sit still. Pyatt’s shakeup isn’t the only shift in personnel, as the Senators try to improve their defensive effort.
The decision to move Pyatt, who hasn’t scored this season and has one assist in 23 games, was the most noticeable because Duchene and Batherson are offensive players expected to produce.
“We’re giving up too many goals right now,” Boucher said Sunday. “What we’re trying to do is make the best mix possible for our team to defend better.
“That’s clear, so on every line I think that’s what you see. Right now, I’m trying to get four lines that are going to play on both sides of the ice the same way.”
The time has come for the talk to turn to action. Yes, the Senators know they have issues defensively and they’ve made no secret of that fact, but now they have to go out to get the job done. The club’s play in its own zone has been haphazard at times.
Boucher said part of the issue is some players are trying to do too much instead of just doing their jobs. He didn’t like what he saw in the 6-4 loss to the Stars Friday night.
“Sometimes it’s not because a guy’s not working, it’s because he’s over-working and he wants to do everything,” Boucher added. “So, he’s switching jobs, not locking into his particular job at (that) moment.
“The video and the practice were very specific. It’s not about whipping guys, it’s not that. It’s that we want to be sure with the guys what our job is, and the guys recognize that. That (Dallas) game was our worst defensive game of the year, period.
“We’ve got to rebound from that. We’ve got to be better. It’s not with complicated things. They’re simple things but they’ve got to become habits.”
LOOKING GOOD
Mark Stone was lucky to escape without a serious injury.
After taking a puck in the face in the club’s loss to Dallas, he was back on the ice with a full visor Sunday and is expected to suit up against the Rangers.
Centre Colin White, who didn’t play in Dallas because of an undisclosed injury, indicated he’ll be back. Mark Borowiecki skated as the club’s seventh defenceman Sunday after missing Friday’s game, and a decision will be made on him after the morning skate Monday.
Borowiecki would like to return but is going to talk it over with the club’s medical staff.
“I’m just taking it day-by-day. I’ve got to weigh the pros and cons of if. I let things settle down a bit is it actually going to make any difference?” said Borowiecki, who has an undisclosed upperbody issue. “I felt pretty good out there today, so we’ll see.”
PAGEAU JOINS THE GROUP
Jean-Gabriel Pageau was given clearance to resume skating with the team Friday after having surgery to repair a torn right Achilles heel in training camp so he joined the Senators here Saturday.
Pageau skated under the watchful eye of conditioning assistant Rob Mouland before the rest of the players were there and then stuck around for about 15 minutes. Pageau’s timetable is still four to six months but his recovery is headed in the right direction.
“It feels great, just to be around the guys and the staff, and to get to travel with them is fun,” Pageau said. “It was a nice touch by the GM (Pierre Dorion) and the staff to invite me here and to spend some time with the team. It gives me that little motivation.
“I know it’s a long process and it’s long-term injury, but I think during that time it’s good to come here and get that motivation and to spend time with the guys. It’s good for me mentally and I’m happy to be here.”
Pageau isn’t sure when he’ll be back but admits his recovery “has been going well.
“I think I’ve taken two days off in the whole process,” he said. “I’m in every day and I really want to make it work. The trainers have been really good with me, working on me every day in the gym, and the medical stuff has been unreal.
“We’re going in the right path and I want to come back as soon as I can but I won’t get cleared before I’m 100 per cent. That has been said, and I’m sure I can do all the details as fast as I can.”
THE LAST WORDS
Brady Tkachuk planned to get together with Rangers coach David Quinn in New York on Sunday afternoon.
Both left Boston University after last season to make the next step to the NHL. Quinn coached Tkachuk last year and gave him some advice before he made the decision to turn pro.
“I talked to him a bit and he was like, ‘If you’re ready and you feel you can play 100 per cent in the NHL and play the whole year then go for it,’ and he told me he’d always be on my side,” Tkachuk said. “He also said to, ‘Get better and better every day.’ I took that advice and it was good to hear.”