Three Thoughts: Focus shifts to regular season
© Andre Ringuette
After Saturday's preseason loss in Toronto, the final Three Thoughts of preseason runs through some storylines including the team's top point-getter during exhibition play.
Preseason wraps up
With Saturday's game in Toronto, the Senators can put a bow on their 2021-22 preseason campaign after finishing with a 3-4-0 record.
All focus now turns to Thursday's regular season opener against the Maple Leafs at Canadian Tire Centre.
After not playing any preseason games ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, having seven games this year certainly served its purpose.
"There's a lot of things we've learned from these games and a lot of things we can learn from," Nicholas Paul said. "We're just excited to get the season going here. Seven preseason games, we came together as a group and we're ready to get started and hit the ground running."
While Andrew Agozzino was placed on waivers Sunday for the purpose of being assigned to Belleville, and Filip Gustavsson was assigned to the AHL, some additional decisions have to be made for the Senators to get down to the 23-man roster limit ahead of Monday's deadline. From there, the Sens will get set to open the season with back-to-back contests against the Maple Leafs.
And after three preseason tilts with their Ontario rivals, the Sens have a good handle on what they're going to see from their opponents.
"We know what to expect," Alex Formenton said. "They're a good team and we've got to be ready for that opening night."
Formenton finishes preseason as leading scorer
Speaking of Formenton, the 22-year-old winger finished as the Sens' top scorer in preseason.
In five games, he had four goals and six points, both team highs. He had a two-goal, three-point performance Oct. 1 in the Sens' 7-2 win over Montreal at Canadian Tire Centre.
"I'm hungry for a spot this year," Formenton said. "I want to show that I can play here and help out the team as best as possible."
After playing 20 games last season for the Sens, the Barrie native entered training camp with a better understanding of what he needed to do to become a full-time fixture in the Sens lineup.
"I think coming in, I was a little bit more prepared after playing those games last year and seeing what the NHL is all about," he said. "I feel more comfortable with the puck and I think it's about building chemistry with your linemates."
The fastest guy on the Sens roster, Formenton's has established himself as a lethal speedster who has carved himself out a role on the penalty kill too.
"Penalty killing is going to be his thing," Smith said. "He's going to have to create offseason. I thought he had a good camp and a couple of really big games. He's dangerous. He's a good prospect for us and a guy that we expect big things from."
Preseason beneficial for Murray
After Matt Murray's 2020-21 season ended early due to injury, this year's preseason has been critical for the Senators' no. 1 goaltender.
"I'm trying to get better each and every time I go out there," Murray said. "It's nice to have the preseason again. Last year, we didn't and it was definitely an adjustment so this year it's been nice to be able to build and build and work on the things you want to work on and get a little bit of game action to try and peak for Game 1."
The 27-year-old played three preseason games, tallying a 1-2 record with a 2.83 GAA. He played the full 60 minutes on Oct. 1 and Oct. 4.
All in all, Smith has been pleased with what he's seen between the pipes over the course of the Sens' seven preseason tilts.
"Our goaltending has been spectacular throughout exhibition," Smith said. "They've given us every opportunity every night to win."
