Emergent Paul finding place in Senators lineup
Nick Paul has turned heads as the Ottawa Senators season shifts into high gear.
The 25-year-old forward established himself as a full-time NHLer last season and, as a result of that effort, general manager Pierre Dorion rewarded Paul with a twoyear deal worth US$1.35 million annually.
It's the first time in Paul's career he's had a one-way contract and it's paying dividends for the Senators. He had nine goals last season and scored his first this year in Ottawa's 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Senators coach D.J. Smith is a big fan of what Paul brings to the table. He had a solid outing in the club's 5-3 victory over the Leafs in the season opener Friday night at Canadian Tire Centre and he can be counted on to be consistent.
“Nick wins the fitness award every year. He rarely gets tired,” Smith said before Saturday's game. “He's big, strong, tough and he's got good detail to his game. He can play different scenarios, he can win faceoffs, he's a reliable guy so I think when people coach a guy like him, you feel good when he's on the ice.
“He's willing to do whatever needs to be done to help the team.”
Paul took a puck in the ribs from teammate Nikita Zaitsev on Saturday, but managed to pick up the loose disc and beat Toronto goalie Jack Campbell from the slot to open the scoring.
There were some questions about where Paul would fit when the Senators brought in some veterans in the off-season, but he's pushing for more ice time.
“I've been working hard through training camp, the legs have been going with a lot of speed,” Paul said. “I'm just putting pucks deep and getting to the net. I just got lucky with that one, it hit me right in the ribs and it came down and I put it in.
“You've got a coach who gives positions to people that want it the most. It's about where you are in the rankings, it's about who works the hardest and who does the best for the team. That good compete in practice really pushes us to come out and have a really good game (Friday) and put out a good effort (Saturday).”
Paul said his approach will never change.
“I just do the same thing every year, I put my head down, work and do what's asked of me,” he said. “It's team first. I'm not trying to go past the team and put up a bunch of points. If they need me to shut down, penalty kill ... I'm there blocking shots when needed. I'm just doing what's best for the team.”
MURRAY MAKES HIS MARK
Anybody who questioned the Senators' decision to acquire Matt Murray from the Pittsburgh Penguins has been given food for thought.
After making 20 saves in the Senators' season-opening win Friday, Murray stopped 37 of 40 shots in a standout effort Saturday and was a big reason it was a one-goal game. He is needed to stabilize the net.
That's why Smith decided to go back to Murray on Saturday. The expectation was backup Marcus Hogberg would get his first start in Saturday's rematch with the Leafs, but the decision was made to keep Murray in net. He has no issue with playing back-to-backs and this one was relatively easy because there wasn't any travel involved.
Hogberg may play this week as the Senators face the Winnipeg Jets twice at home and then again on the road Saturday.
THE LAST WORDS
It looks like the Jets will be able to suit up against the Senators without any issues.
Twenty four hours after being forced to cancel practice because of concerns about the novel coronavirus, the Jets returned to the ice Sunday and boarded a flight to Toronto later in the day. Winnipeg, which faces the Leafs on Monday night, will be without defencemen Tucker Poolman.
“Tucker Poolman is in the COVID -19 protocol, he won't make the trip,” said Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice told reporters.
The Jets won't have former Ottawa defenceman Dylan DeMelo, either. He skated Sunday but didn't make the trip because his wife, Jessica, recently gave birth to the couple's first child.