Expect rivalry with Habs to get brutal
Rivalry with Canadiens could get nasty, as tough guys share some tips at practice
As formal part of the Ottawa Senators practice wrapped up Monday at Canadian Tire Centre, several players stuck around for some extra work.
While a large group was gathered around goaltender
Matt Murray in the home end playing a shooting game, the most interesting session taking place was along the boards near the penalty box. That's where a couple of Senators were getting tips on fighting from a couple of the NHL's tough customers.
While Nick Paul and Brady Tkachuk aren't afraid to get involved physically, they're not really known for dropping the gloves. However, as they prepare to face the Montreal Canadiens in the back end of two-game series Tuesday night at home, both were getting fighting tips from rugged winger Micheal Haley and defenceman Josh Brown.
In the wake of Sunday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Habs, it's clear the games between these two teams have become a little more heated. And since Haley was moved back to the taxi squad Monday and Brown has been a healthy scratch, neither will be there to act as a deterrent if the going does get rough.
Paul has had three fights in his NHL career. The 25-year-old dropped the gloves against Philadelphia's Jakub Voraceck on Dec. 7, 2019, and also took on Winnipeg's Nathan Beaulieu on Feb. 8, 2020. Paul held his own in both bouts, but he's a big body and knows he has to throw his weight around to be successful.
“We know it's going to be a good matchup,” Paul said. “Both teams like to lay body on and be physical. Sometimes things happen, but I wouldn't say it's anticipating anything.
“I know (Haley) knows what he's doing when it comes to putting the hands out, so I just wanted to pick his brain about to grip because I've had some fights where I've lost my grip. That's pretty much all that was. It wasn't about anything being anticipated (Tuesday). It's just picking his brain.”
Still, this unusual schedule can bring out the best in both teams and it can also lead to rough stuff because the two opponents get weary of seeing each other so much.
Before this season's condensed 56-game schedule got underway, Senators coach D.J. Smith suggested there would be some bad blood built up by the time the third game of a series rolled round. Sure, the Senators are only facing the Habs twice this week, but these two teams have already built a healthy rivalry and this is their third matchup this month.
The Senators weren't the least bit pleased with Ben Chiarot cross-checking rookie winger Tim Stuetzle at 19:57 of their
2-1 loss to the Habs on Feb. 2 in Ottawa.
If you're wondering why Haley played Sunday, then maybe you don't need to look any further than that incident — and he did have a word with Chiarot.
If Paul has to drop the gloves, he has to be prepared.
“You never know when things are going to happen,” he said. “Sometimes guys there's stuff that guys don't like and I may have to be the guy that has to jump in or be the guy that's grabbed for the hit. It's always good to sharpen up and be ready.
“I'm not a big fighter, either, but when the time comes I'm ready to go. It's just more of a touch-up and just picking (Haley's) brain. You don't know what position you're going to be in — if you're splitting off with (someone) with a quick grab or whatever it may be. I'll just get his opinion and he'll just give me tips. We're different fighters because he's smaller than I am, and I'm a bigger guy, so I have a bigger reach.”
Look, this doesn't mean the Senators will be out looking for fights against Montreal nor will Ottawa players get distracted from the task at hand, which is trying to get two points.
Instead, they'll be trying to build off the dramatic victory they had with Tkachuk's overtime winner Sunday. The Senators found themselves trailing after the first shot goalie Matt Murray faced went behind him, but they dug their way out of the hole, he made big stops and they were able to withstand a late goal by Montreal to tie it up, then win.
The Senators have a 2-1-0 record against the Habs in three games this season and both teams seem to bring out the best in each other. Montreal is feeling a lot of heat right now with a 4-5-1 record in its last 10 games and the Canadiens looked pretty frustrated after Sunday's loss in Ottawa.
Smith noted the Senators are playing with more confidence and, as a result, they're getting more positive results. He believes this group is making steps in the right direction.
“We've played a lot of teams really well and it just hasn't gone our way,” Smith said. “Early on in the year, I think we matched up well against some other teams we haven't beaten and I think we will later on. That's just the way that hockey goes sometimes.
“Montreal is so competitive that it makes us really get up for the game and if you're not ready, you're going to get hit and you're going to get a hit a lot.”
Early on in the year, I think we matched up well against some other teams we haven't beaten and I think we will later on.