The Ottawa Senators feel pretty good about themselves heading into the NHL’s Christmas break.
And with nine points in their last five games, the team has good reason.
Ottawa (18-13-5) saw its four-game winning streak come to an end with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. Despite falling short, there was nothing but optimism from the Senators.
“We’ve been playing some pretty good hockey for a while now,” said veteran Claude Giroux. “Even some games that we’ve lost, we play good games. And, you know, sometimes it’s good to kind of reset.”
Like most teams, the Senators are eagerly looking forward to the break, both mentally and physically.
Due to the upcoming Winter Games in February, this season’s schedule has been a bit more compressed and a few days to disconnect could go a long way tin preparing for the push to the Olympics.
“It’s been a lot of hockey,” admitted Sens head coach Travis Green. “We had that stretch of road games where we were on the road for 21 of 26 days and just coming off four (games) in six (days), so well timed.”
Green said the message to the team is to enjoy the three days off, get some rest and be ready when things resume.
Ottawa is back in action Thursday, visiting a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has been playing well below expectations and will be looking to rebound.
After a slow start to the season the Senators seem to have found their stride despite dealing with various injuries across the roster.
In the absence of the injured, others have stepped up, allowing the Senators to hold their own.
Ottawa has been without Shane Pinto for the past nine games and Ridly Greig stepped in to help provide stability on the third line.
Greig scored an impressive first-period goal against the Sabres, displaying confidence as he held onto the puck and shot from in close for his third of the season.
“I’ve definitely gotten more chances up the middle,” said the young centre. “I feel comfortable there. I feel good about my game.”
Like Giroux, Greig was quick to note that the team is benefitting from strong play of late and is confident, even in close games.
“I think we’ve played well,” he said. “So, you know, that’s good for the confidence going into the break here, and hopefully we can keep that going after too.”
Ottawa will need to keep playing this way and raise its level even further if it wants to climb back into the playoff race.
The Eastern Conference has been extremely close this season with every point having an impact.
After qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in seven years last season, the Senators are eager to get back and have chance to advance past the first round.
Ottawa finished Tuesday night outside of the playoff picture, but just one point behind the Florida Panthers for the final wild card and two behind Tampa Bay for third in the Atlantic.
There’s no doubt the holiday break is welcome, but at the same time, the Senators head in with a sense of momentum.
“When you’re rolling you want to just keep playing every second night,” said Drake Batherson. “Especially some guys, they’re playing really well. But it’s all good and we’ll enjoy Christmas.”