Ottawa Senators Ups and Downs: Week 5

Dzingel's up again, while the snipers are down

It was a week of balance for the Senators, with a regulation loss, a regulation win, an overtime loss, and a shootout win. The team also only managed five regulation goals in total, and if Mark Stone's goal had come 6.5 seconds later, it would've been one regulation goal per game. But there's no use complaining about taking 5/8 points, since that would amount to a 102-point season.

Biggest gains: Ryan Dzingel

It wasn't just the two points, including a beautiful solo end-to-end effort for a goal. No, it's the fact that he seems to be getting attention as the possible top-six fill-in. Against the Wild, he played a career-high 19:41. Not bad for a guy who was getting under 10 minutes just over a week ago.

Biggest losses: Bobby Ryan

It's not so much what he did this week, but rather what he didn't do - score points. Six points in 15 games has him on pace for 33 on the season, which just isn't good enough for a guy in the second year of a seven-year contract worth $7.25M. It's looking more and more like the Sens are going to lose somebody valuable in exchange for his albatross of a contract.

Goaltenders Trend Notes
Craig Anderson The Nashville game was his first save percentage under .938 since October 22nd. But he more than made up for it with two solid starts.
Mike Condon
Another solid win - and apparently it means the team is soliciting offers for Hammond
Chris Driedger
Didn't play this week
Andrew Hammond No updates on his injury status, just the rumour mill
Defensemen

Mark Borowiecki Borowiecki wasn't a liability and I'M ONLY GIVING HIM NEUTRAL. That means, somehow, I expect more from him
Cody Ceci Ceci actually carried the balance of play this week, so I'll give him a plus
Fredrik Claesson
Didn't look as solid this week as last
Erik Karlsson Three more points. Ho hum.
Marc Methot Not a great week for Methot. Considered giving him a down arrow
Dion Phaneuf
Just like Ceci, managed to carry the balance of play this week
Chris Wideman
He's back for good - we think. The whole thing has been very quiet
Forwards

Derick Brassard
I can sometimes go an entire game forgetting he's on the team
Mike Blunden
Yes, he played a game this week
Ryan Dzingel
See Biggest Gains
Mike Hoffman No points and some defensive gaffes on the powerplay have him down this week. At least he doesn't make anywhere near Ryan's salary
Chris Kelly
I can sometimes go an entire game forgetting he's on the team
Clarke MacArthur Hi Clarke
Chris Neil I'm perfectly happy to see him play 8 minutes, score a point every 10 games, and sit out the occasional maintenance game
Jean-Gabriel Pageau Possession numbers are back, and he got his first assists since Game 2 on Friday
Matt Puempel If he's not fighting... yeah, I don't know what he's doing.
Tom Pyatt
Not a bad week for this bona fide NHLer
Bobby Ryan See Biggest Losses
Zack Smith The goal against the Kings was a thing of beauty
Mark Stone Scored a timely goal - here's hoping it gets him out of whatever funk he was in
Kyle Turris Two more goals has him leading the team with seven on the year

Special thanks to our friend winterion at Japers' Rink for our icons!


Not everyone can afford to pay for sports coverage right now, and that is why we will keep as much of the site's content free for as long as we can.


But if you are able to, please consider subscribing to help keep our articles free (and get a few extra perks).

Erik Condra
  • Ability to comment and participate in our community
  • Twice monthly newsletter available only to subscribers
  • Ad-free reading
  • Our undying love and appreciation
Brady Tkachuk
  • Everything from the Erik Condra tier
  • 10% discount on all merch
  • Access to any future paywalled content
  • A personal thank-you from the Silver Seven staff
Daniel Alfredsson
  • Everything from the Brady Tkachuk tier
  • Inner peace knowing you are supporting quality, independent coverage of your favourite sports team