Senators bag a couple but still searching for consistency

Sometimes you’re the bug . . . and sometimes you’re the windshield.

Ask the Ottawa Senators and they’ll tell you that about sums up their season to this point – disappointment and pain at various points then success at others.

It’s put them in a particular pickle, hasn’t it?

The pleasant news for the organization is that they’ve played windshield to the opposition’s bug the last couple of games.

But man-oh-man, how about a little consistency. Pass the Tums, Rolaids, Mylanta, Gaviscon, Pepto-Bismol, and Alka-Seltzer, it’s just another week in the life of an Ottawa fanatic.

Aggravating and agonizing?

To be sure.

That word – ‘consistency’ – might just be the most important one in the weeks and dwindling months to come. Cause here’s the reality, if the Senators don’t unearth some, this current season becomes a shining dud after last season’s rise from the ashes.

But you gotta start somewhere and for Ottawa it was on a Tuesday night at home against the 32^nd and last-place team in the Vancouver Canucks. That 2-1 nailbiter likely made the Canucks look better than they were. The Senators were clearly the better team.

Jet ahead less than 24 hours later and a trip to the world’s most famous arena produced an even more satisfying result and look. Travis Green’s bunch decimated the New York Rangers to the tune of 8-4. (Before we get too hot to trot, let it be known that the Blueshirts sport the second-worst home record in the entire league and their season has already been sealed as a ‘shining dud’).

And what stood out?

Easy – that goal production.

General Manager Steve Staios’s job in the off-season, and right through the opening half of the year, was to secure supplemental scoring. A lack thereof was Ottawa’s Achilles last season.

He did not, but then again, maybe the answer lies within. Not that the team and Staios should pin their post-season hopes on it, but the internal scoring certainly did show up on Wednesday evening. Tim Stutzle scored his 20^th, while Brady Tkachuk, who’s come under some heat lately, bagged his ninth. For the American Dream, it was the 200^th goal of his career.

Dylan Cozens, another guy low on the production scale, also kicked in with a goal and a pair of assists, while Ridly Greig chipped in with three assists; the first time he’s collected three points in one game.

Throughout the lineup, production was not an issue in the least. Especially during that four-goal outburst in the first – “It was just a great start at (Madison Square Garden),” said head coach Travis Green. “We talked about certain parts of our game, really playing to our identity and our kind of hockey.”

Nick Jensen – another guy who’s come under a bit of fire, also tallied. “It was a huge game, especially coming in late on a back-to-back, travelling, and that was an extremely good start,” said Jensen. “That was good to see. The first 40 minutes were really important.”

But if the team is serious about capturing a playoff spot and going on a potential run, March 6^th and the days and weeks before cast a long rainbow of opportunity. Mark the date down as being the league’s trade deadline.

Word is that Staios will monitor the next 10 games (thanks TSN) and change to see if he becomes a buyer or a seller at the deadline. Scoreboard watching is bound to become a bit of a cause celebre for the next three weeks before the league heads off for the Olympic break.

It’s going to be a challenge for the Senators. Even with the back-to-back wins Ottawa picked up only a slim two points in the wild-card chase and now sit five points behind both Boston and Buffalo. The Senators also have to deal with the very visible logjam in front of them – New Jersey is one point ahead; Florida is two; Philly and Pittsburgh sit three up; and Toronto is ahead by four. All that before you can start eyeing the Bruins and Sabres.

OTTAWA SENATORS WEEK AHEAD:

Saturday, Jan. 17: Montreal at Ottawa (7 pm)

Sunday, Jan. 18: Ottawa at Detroit (5 pm)

Tuesday, Jan. 20: Ottawa at Columbus (7 pm)

thegrossgame@yahoo.com

Photo: Courtesy AP