A 32-year-old depth forward in his 12th NHL season is driving the bus for the Ottawa Senators, as they fight to stay within reach of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Nick Cousins, a winger on a one-year contract worth only $50,000 above league minimum, has been the team’s catalyst many nights in the past month.
The primary driving force on any line he’s inserted into, Cousins has made the most of a recent promotion to the shutdown trio alongside Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio.
“He’s really playing well right now,” head coach Travis Green said of Cousins. “You know, we shifted the lines a little bit. Pints’ line was just playing OK since he came back from his injury, and I decided to put Cuz there. He’s played up the lineup before in his career, and give him full credit, though. He’s taking advantage of it. He’s playing extremely well.”
On Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche, in Ottawa’s most convincing win of the season, Cousins was first in on the forecheck, and won puck battles all over the ice. He even scored a beauty of a goal, making a power move to the inside on a defender and chipping a backhand shot under Mackenzie Blackwood’s left arm for the opening tally.
“I’ve been doing a lot of talking about myself,” Cousins self-deprecated, speaking to the Ottawa Citizen on Friday. “But I said this a couple of days ago: I think consistency-wise, this has probably been my best season. Not like numbers-wide, but I just think, energy, engaged in the game, focused and I feel good. I feel really good.”
Take a look at Cousins’ ice time this season, and his ability to be a difference-maker becomes even more impressive.
He’s playing 10:28 a night, the lowest average since his rookie season in 2014-15.
“It’s harder than some people may think,” Cousins said. “When there are power plays and penalty-kills and you’re not on special teams, it’s just kind of out of your control, so you’ve just got to kind of stay focused, stay engaged and stay ready for your next shift. Sometimes it can get hard. The legs might not feel good when you’re out there, so you’ve just got to simplify maybe a little bit more … You’ve got to control what you can control and be ready for your next shift and bring momentum to the team.”
Best plus-minus of career
When asked if this is the most well-rounded his game has ever been, Cousins “completely” agreed. His plus-7 rating is the highest of his career, and his possession stats are strong.
“I think defensively, it’s been light years better than it’s been,” Cousins said. “That’s kind of been my weakness coming into my 12th year, is that maybe I’m not the best defensively. But I think I’ve just been really dialled in in the D-zone. I think the way we play, it really suits my style, too. Obviously, that helps. And then, playing in the offensive zone is the best defence, and I feel like whatever line I’m on, we’ve just been able to do that.”
Said Green: “I don’t think people understand how smart of a player he is. He really understands the game, small areas of the game, and he’s brave. That’s one area of his game where, if you’re going to be good in tight areas, you’ve got to be brave.”
He’s also scoring at the second-best clip of his career. And for a guy who typically plays on the fourth line, the goals themselves have been eye-opening.
In November, Cousins blasted a one-timer top right on Anaheim Ducks goalie Petr Mrazek. The month prior, he finished a slick deke on the backhand to beat Washington Capitals netminder Charlie Lindgren on a breakaway.
“The boys were giving it to me for two weeks for that one,” he said.
Though voted “most punchable” by his peers in consecutive seasons, Cousins’ loveable, infectious locker room presence is apparent in Ottawa.
Answering rapid fire questions on stage at the Senators Black, Red & Gold Gala on Thursday night, Tim Stutzle smiled and shook his head as he admitted his stall-mate has the best chirps on the team. Cousins is also notorious for playfully yelling at Ottawa’s in-house reporter, Jackson Starr, whenever he sees the 23-year-old. It’s all in good fun.
Two statement victories
In back-to-back statement wins this week, the Sens held the Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights to a combined three goals.
The team is playing stingy, playoff-style hockey, and every player up and down the lineup is contributing. Cousins, a Stanley Cup winner with the Florida Panthers in 2023-24, recognizes a recipe for success when he sees one.
“I truly believe that’s how you win,” Cousins said. “I think once May rolls around, and you’re getting into the second, third round of the playoffs, I mean, injuries happen, it’s a long year. Especially with the condensed schedule this year, there’s been a lot of injuries. You need guys to be able to come in, plug in and play important roles … When you’re playing into June, the last two teams are usually the deepest teams.”
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