Do you want fries with that? Sides to complement your Hamburglar Fever
Andrew Hammond's been great during Ottawa's incredible run, but he's been getting a lot of help from his teammates. Here's a look at some of the other Senators who have helped fuel Hamburglar Fever.
The Ottawa Senators have gone 17-2-2 since February 10. Much of the focus during Ottawa's streak has been on the play of Andrew Hammond and rightly so. The Hamburglar hasn't lost in regulation yet and has only given up more than two goals twice as a starter. However, all this focus on burgers has left the sides, desserts, and drinks a little overlooked. Hammond's been great, but he's been getting a lot of help from his teammates. Some have been so players have been so good they're entire meals on their own. Here's a look at some of the other Senators who have helped fuel Hamburglar Fever.
Remember, don't be afraid to order off the menu, you might just end up with a Bobby Ryan or Mika Zibanejad.
Extra Value meal - Erik Karlsson
Erik IS the definition of extra value. He's making $6.5M this year and each of the next four seasons, while leading the team and NHL defensemen in points. Karlsson was good by other people's standards to start the season. He has been great by his standards since the early December coaching change. But since February 10, he's simply been the best player in the NHL. Terrific defensively during the current win streak, he's notched 7 goals, 17 assists for 24 points in 19 games - the most of any player in the league during that stretch.
Chicken McNuggets - Kyle Turris, Mark Stone, and Mike Hoffman
Umm because they're good.
The Turris line has been leading the way offensively during the streak. Stone has 22 points since February 10th (5th most in the NHL), Turris has 21 points (9th most in the NHL), and Hoffman is tied for 14th in the NHL with 18 points in that same span. On Hammond's rare off nights, goal support makes all the difference and it's coming from players like this.
Value Picks - Erik Condra and Jean-Gabriel Pageau
They might be the cheapest menu items (the whole line including Lazar comes in at just under $2.8M), but the line has been awesome. The trio embody Ottawa's new style: they're young, fast, relentless on the forecheck, and just hard to play against. As much as they've been used to frustrate the opposition Condra and Pageau have chipped in offensively as well; since February 10th Pageau has nine points and Condra has 12.
Chicken Snack Wrap - Milan Michalek
Michalek is like the snack wrap, you don't think you want it, but you're pleasantly surprised when you get it. A surprise $12M/3-year deal in the off-season combined with a slow start many were down on Michalek. Since being shifted to the top-six and playing with Turris and Stone, Michalek has been a useful compliment. He's even recorded 18 points during the streak. Not bad at all.
Happy Meal - Curtis Lazar
He's only had two points during the run, but has been part of Ottawa's great third line. With his ever-present smile, he gleefully snatched up burgers off the ice after the Sens beat Boston last week for a little post-game meal.
Vanilla Cone - Dave Cameron
Like the vanilla cone, you didn't know you wanted Dave Cameron behind the Sens bench until he was there, staring you in the face. But like the most boring ice cream around, Cameron's been surprisingly refreshing. Many, including me, worried he was another convenient in-house hiring who wouldn't challenge the entrenched positions of aging veterans like Chris Phillips, Chris Neil, and David Legwand who were relied on to play roles they were no longer capable of playing under Paul MacLean. But to the surprise of many, Cameron has led a youth movement and Ottawa's veterans have increasingly seen their roles diminish. He's also emphasized defense since taking over and the Sens, a team which was outshoot at alarming rates under MacLean, now routinely outshoots their opponents. Oh yeah, his record behind the bench? 26-13-6 in 45 games. Not bad.
McCafé Premium Roast - Colin Greening
Not the worst player in the world, but, like the coffee, management frequently tries to give him away for free.
Hotcakes and Sausage - Marc Methot and Patrick Wiercioch
Just as breakfast stabilizes and energizes your body so you can be at your best throughout the day, so has Marc Methot stabilized and energized the Ottawa blueline. Wiercioch has become an everyday player during the streak, securing a top-4 spot in the process, while chipping in with 8 points and enhancing Ottawa's blueline stability.