Five Thoughts for Friday

1. Respectability

Since last Friday, the Senators have played four games, going 1-1-2. However, two of those games were against arguably the best team in the NHL, the Chicago Blackhawks. Last night's game was even more impressive, as the Sens held their own Corsi-wise with the 'Hawks. Getting to the shootout is normally a 50-50 chance to win, though when the other team can send out Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Patrick Sharp, maybe that isn't true. Overall, I think this week's team is about what we can expect this year: a team with a record near .500, one with the ability to hang in games and make a late push when losing, and one that's a whole lot of fun to watch. What's important is that this team isn't a bottom-feeder, and will at the very least play a respectable season.

2. Zibanejad at last

Zibby scored last night! (In case you hadn't noticed.) He also posted positive EV Corsi and Fenwick numbers, and took five shots, which is a huge improvement on the nine he had through the eight games before that. Obviously it's just one game, but hopefully this helps him get the monkey off his back.

3. Clarke, not Clarkson

Clarke MacArthur now has eight points in nine games this season, including four points in the last two games. I had several friends who are fans of the Maple Leafs who told me that MacArthur is really only good in his first season in a new place. I have a hard time believing that players get noticeably better in contract years or first years, because you don't get to the NHL if you don't try every game (with notable exceptions - here's looking at you, Alex Kovalev). I'm glad to see that our dear Clarke is proving me right and just being a great hockey player. It's even better when you see how the guy the Leafs gave him up for, David Clarkson, is being celebrated as having a better year because he's actually played in his team's first ten games. I'm so happy this team's first line is locked up for years to come.

4. Where is the love? - Borocop edition

Looking at the Rank the Performances for the game against the Blue Jackets, Mark Borowiecki came 14th, with one more down vote than up vote. According to naturalstattrick.com, Borocop posted an 83.33% (!!) even-strength Corsi-for, and an 86.67% (!!!) even-strength Fenwick-for. His most-common linemate? Eric Gryba, who fared far better with Boro than without. I don't love what he brings to the team, but I think he deserves credit for a dominant game. And he definitely didn't deserve to be voted far worse than Cody Ceci and Jared Cowen, who posted EV Corsis of 32.35% and 36.67% respectively.

5. Some congrats are in order

First of all, congrats to Robin Lehner on the birth of his child! Here's wishing him and his family all the best with this next exciting chapter.

Also, congrats to Marian Hossa, for reaching 1000 career points, and for reaching it in the city where his career started. He's had an amazing, Hall of Fame-worthy career, and I think I speak for most Sens fans when I say that I revisionistically wish he'd never been traded. He seems one of the classiest guys in the league, and at the ripe young age of 35, he could go on to score another 500 points in his career!