Three Thoughts: Norris leaves injured as Stützle enjoys faceoff success
© Chris Tanouye/Getty Images
It marked the fourth straight game the Sens have earned at least a point (2-0-2) but once again they lost a key player through injury as Josh Norris left the game in the first period while Tim Stützle had a career night in the faceoff dot, as Three Thoughts examines.
Norris leaves game in first
For the second time in two games, the Ottawa Senators lost one of its stars to injury.
Josh Norris left Thursday's game in the first period after he was checked by Andrei Svechnikov on the goal line with 2:20 left in the frame and fell awkwardly into the boards in the offensive zone.
"We'll know more [Friday] but we're hopeful it's nothing real bad," Sens head coach D.J. Smith said.
Senators associate coach Jack Capuano said Friday that Norris is scheduled to get an MRI at 3 p.m. today.
"He felt pretty good after the game but we want to make sure he gets it checked out," Capuano said.
Norris has a team-high 18 goals this season for the Senators while his 26 points are the third most on the team.
Sens showing heart amid adversity
Once again, the Senators are facing adversity.
But they sure are battling through it.
The team lost Drake Batherson and Dylan Gambrell in the first period of Tuesday's 5-0 win over Buffalo. Thursday, the team lost Norris. The Sens are also without Erik Brannstrom who remains in the NHL's Covid-19 protocol.
Despite the tough circumstances, the Sens have collected three of a possible four points so far on this four-game homestand.
"It's a shame that we don't have these guys in right now because I think we'd be scoring and I think this is a real chance for us to get rolling," Smith said.
Batherson is set to miss the next two months with a high ankle sprain while Gambrell's return will be much more swift although whether he returns before the All-Star break Wednesday remains to be seen.
The Sens are also expected to get Connor Brown and Nikita Zaitsev back after the break although Smith said earlier in the week there's an outside shot they play in one of the team's next three contests. Shane Pinto and Colin White also continue to work towards a return.
"It's tough especially when our top players are going down," Zach Sanford said. "It's tough to see … but that's hockey. It happens to every team. But it's that next man up mentality and we're confident in the next group of guys coming up that we can play as a group and get through this.
"I've seen how tight this group is. Everyone cares about each other and it's a big part when you're willing to play for the guy next to you, especially in times like this when you've got a lot of guys out."
Stützle has career night in faceoff circle
Thursday was the best night of Stützle's career in the faceoff dot as he won 66.7 per cent of his draws.
Of the 12 faceoffs he took, he won eight, both of which are a new career high, and it came on the heels of a little pre-game assistance from a teammate.
"I actually was talking to Josh [Norris]," Stützle said. "He's really good on draws so he tried to help me out and work on that in practice and it worked out pretty good today."
This season, Stützle has won just 32.6 per cent of his draws but over his last two games, has won 11 of 17 faceoffs. It's the first he's been 50 per cent or better in the dot since Dec. 16 against Tampa Bay.
The German also got some time with Brady Tkachuk last night. After Norris left the game injured, Smith had to juggle his lines and paired up Stützle and Tkachuk.
"Timmy is dangerous every shift so I think everyone wants to play with him," Smith said. "We'll put those two together for sure if Norris is out."
Stützle's 24:15 Thursday not only led Senators forwards but was also a career high and easily eclipsed his previous high of 22:41.
