Posting a 6-4-3 record, the Ottawa Senators finished with their best month of November since 2016 (9-5-1). What started as a November to remember for the team, closed with a pair of games to forget.
After earning points in nine of 10 games dating back to an October 30th win over Calgary, the Senators ended November with losses in three of four.
Heading into this seven-game road trip, the Senators longest this season, everyone knew it was going to be a daunting task, especially opening with the three California teams, all who’ve been playing well, plus a Golden Knights club who are the Senators kryptonite. The Senators had only one win in regulation in 14 previous games since Vegas entered the league. However, the team took three of four, defeating Anaheim, San Jose and their nemesis, Vegas. Their one loss to the Kings was a hard-fought 2-1 battle.
The past two outings of the sojourn saw the team allow three goals in each of their final periods versus St. Louis and Dallas. The Senators entered the third period leading the Blues 2-1. Fell behind 3-2, before David Perron tied it again, but only to give up the go-ahead marker less than two minutes later. Sunday, the Stars led 3-1 after two periods, though the Senators held a territorial advantage. But poor defensive zone coverage and Stars’ Wyatt Johnston got the better of them, pouring in three unanswered tallies.
Two of Johnston’s three goals on the night were on Stars’ power plays, which has been the subject of a thorn in the side for the Senators for the majority of the season.
Special Teams Inconsistent
The Senators penalty kill ranks 31st league-wide with a 69.9% success rate, only the Seattle Kraken have a worse PK (69.2%). During November, the Senators PK actually improved slightly, playing at a 75% rate. But at that, killing off 75% of penalties taken would still place them among the bottom five NHL teams.
The Senators power play unit only scored four goals all month, going four for 33. The PP unit is four for 41 dating back to October 28. Sunday, the Senators went 0 for 3, registering merely one shot.
Senators head coach Travis Green noted postgame, his club lost the special teams battle, “Well, if you want to beat a team like this, you want to win the special teams game, especially on the road. We talked about not taking penalties. And end up taking four, and they’re too good a team to be minus-two in that department.”
“I thought our power play, honestly, kind of drained some of our game. Just not sharp, not crispy. You know, you never know if we get one on the power play, get a little momentum, and the game changes,” added Jake Sanderson.
The Senators PP ranks 11th in the NHL (21.8).
https://hockeyhotstove.com/category/bloggers/murray-pam
Shooooooot!
Paraphrasing former Senator Alex Kovalev, “First come the shots, then the goals”, the team has fallen from fifth goals per game (3.44) to 15th league-wide in two weeks (3.04). This isn’t a surprise as the Senators have been playing low-event, low-scoring games for the most part of late. The Senators have allowed four goals or more just twice in regulation in November, and one game was Sunday.
However, low-event hockey means the team isn’t registering shots on goal. During the 2024-25 campaign, the Senators averaged 29.3 shots per game. After 25 games this season, their average is 26.0. The club has surpassed 30 shots on goal in only seven of their 25 games played this season, and haven’t done so since October 30.
A drop of three shots on goal per game isn’t deal, even if the team ranks fifth in high-danger chances created. The fact is, the Senators aren’t finishing their scoring opportunities of late.
Brady’s back
The hope is with Brady Tkachuk returning to the lineup, these numbers will rise exponentially over the next few weeks. This is in all facets discussed. The Senators posted two of their seven 30-plus shot games in their opening three games this season with Tkachuk in the lineup. Tkachuk himself led all players with six shots in his return from injury in St. Louis. History shows, the Senators captain is capable of averaging four shots per game per season.
Having Tkachuk playing regularly should go a long way boosting scoring and part and parcel, the Senators power play. While the team has suffered defeats in the two games since his return, there’s naturally an adjustment phase in re-building line chemistry when a player has been out long term.
If there’s a silver-lining, it’s the Senators weathered the storm minus Tkachuk in the lineup. They’re in better shape at this juncture of the season than last. There’s a lot racetrack left, 57 games to be exact.
Tuesday marks their final game of the Senators extended road trip. Heading into the Bell Centre with a 3-3 mark, the team has an opportunity to close it out with an above .500 record. Giving the daunting task at its onset, it will be deemed a successful one, despite their past two losses.
Home › Forums › Two Sides To November For The Senators