A young team brings some exciting, competitive hockey, but also mistakes.

The Senators played only two games this week, shutting out the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Tuesday night, and falling 5-2 to the Florida Panthers on the back of two empty-net goals, Thursday. There was actually a decent amount to unpack after two contests, so here are Five Thoughts for Friday, March 29th, 2019.

Gibbon(s) ‘Em Hell

Folks, I hate to break this to everyone, but Brian Gibbons is good at hockey. He’s come out of nowhere since being acquired for Patrick Sieloff, with 10 points in his first 14 games as an Ottawa Senator.

Continuing his incredible run of late, Gibbons scored 1G and 3A this week, including some incredible passing to set up Brady Tkachuk’s 20th goal of the season.

#20 for Brady. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/nI1PtQeyTQ

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 29, 2019

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but give this guy a contract. He’s, at very worst, a bottom-six player who will ensure the young kids aren’t playing more minutes than they need to. Maybe he needed a change of scenery, but Gibbons has been incredible of late.

Brady Boomer

I’m going to be eating crow about this for the rest of my life, but for the umpteenth time, I was livid when the Senators selected Brady Tkachuk over Filip Zadina. I threw my hat at my TV, said some words that would get me kicked out of the Hexagon Suite, and was generally annoyed.

I am no longer annoyed.

Brady Tkachuk netted his 20th goal of the season (seen above), and has been the anchor of this Ottawa Senators team since the bevy of horrible, gut-wrenching trades.

He is a treasure, and a sight for sore eyes.

Duclair-ity

Sometimes, all a troubled player needs is a change of scenery. For whatever reason, a new environment can give them the spark they need to get their career back on track. Kyle Turris was an example of this when the Senators acquired him, and it’s clear they have intentions of doing the same for Anthony Duclair.

So far, Duclair is doing his part to reinforce that notion. He has 5G and 4A in his first 15 games with his new club, including this sweet little number against the Sabres.

Anthony Duclair is left alone with hutton and scores 1-0 #sabres #gosensgo pic.twitter.com/GaHQLUGnBQ

— Buffalo Hockey moments (@SabresPlays) March 27, 2019

Great hands in tight on that play, and they’re indicative of Duclair’s wealth of talent. Again, re-sign this guy. Please.

Whole Chabot-ta Love

This may come as a shock to some of you, but the Senators sorely missed Thomas Chabot.

Hear me out, here. I know you’re not all big-brained hockey bloggers like myself, but I’ll explain it to you.

The Senators’ star defenceman had three assists in the two games this week, and he seems like the respite has done him good. If they have any intention of selling the fans on their rebuild plan, Ottawa needs to extend Thomas Chabot THIS SUMMER.

Proof is in the pudding, folks.

Baba-Brucey

What would Five Thoughts be without some levity?

Look, I realize that Bruce Garrioch is a journalist and is just trying to do his job. You can have your opinions about him, but it’s fair to say he shouldn’t be shouted down while on live television.

However, this is freaking hilarious.

Sens fan yells #MelnykOut during broadcast pic.twitter.com/RQrY4N6k7W

— Heart of NHL (@HeartofNHL) March 27, 2019

The gentlemen in question is @CaMoDuff on Twitter, and he’s appeared to make a habit of tormenting poor Bruce over the years.

Now, should he have done that? No.

Can we laugh at how irritated Bruce was about the whole thing? I think so. There’s been so much garbage to swallow this season, maybe it’s about time we all took things a little less seriously.

Just one thought of five.