First, I am excited that they may have found a legitimate, professional option in goal. That’s been a gaping wound that the Senators have been slapping band-aids on for far too long. It’s funny to be falling this deeply in love with a goaltender after just 4 games. It speaks volumes about how frustrating it’s been to watch the ongoing mess in Ottawa’s blue paint.
Secondly, I’m jacked that the Senators are interesting again. They not only played poorly, they were, most nights, maybe the dullest team in the NHL this season. I think maybe some guys reach a point as a pro hockey player where the game stops being a game. You’ve made your money and it loses its zest. It becomes a job. “Ugh. Another game tonight.” I think the Sens had/have several players going through that.
Meanwhile, the much less famous characters currently wearing Sens’ jerseys are still hungry, living and breathing hockey. “Yeah! Another game tonight!” They have the love and passion for the game. They’ll go through a wall to win a job next season. The new guys need to win. Not just the game but every battle. That, and goaltending that doesn’t suck, have infused some energy into the remaining lineup and, just as importantly, the fan base. I’m not nodding off mid game anymore.
I mean, didn’t you feel like you were watching the same movie over and over again? And not a good movie with good actors. A bad movie with disinterested actors. I hadn’t noticed how bored I’d become with this group and how bored they’d apparently become with their profession.
Can’t wait to see what happens next.
