Three Thoughts: Sens show heart in third against Pittsburgh
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The Sens fought back in the period, as Three Thoughts examines, while both Josh Norris and Nicholas Paul reached milestones.
Sens show heart in third
Undeservedly, the Senators found themselves down four goals after 40 minutes Thursday.
But that didn't stop them from showing heart.
The Sens scored three times in the final 20 minutes, and despite ultimately losing 6-4, the team showed the no quit attitude they pride themselves on.
"That's exactly how we want to play," Brady Tkachuk said. "Fast, physical, quick and don't give much room out there. We're really proud of the effort we put in. We wish we had five more minutes because we were confident we could have tied that game up and won it.
"We're going to have to [continue] to put that effort in night in and night out."
Of course, the Sens had reason to believe last night. In their last road game, they trailed 3-1 to Edmonton on Jan. 15 before they scored five times in the third period to win 6-4.
Since Jan. 13 the Sens have scored nine third period goals, the most in the NHL. Entering Thursday, the Senators' 26 third period goals were the fewest in the NHL. They now sit 30th with 29.
"They're sticking together," Sens head coach D.J. Smith said of his team.
Norris sets career high in goals
His night finished with a visit to the doctors to get some stiches, but Josh Norris has a new career high in goals scored in a single NHL season.
The Senators' leading goal-scorer potted his 17th and 18th goals of the season against the Pens as it took him just 32 games to beat his total from a year ago, where he scored 17 times in 56 games.
"He's got a great shot, great speed so he can create space for himself," Tkachuk said. "We're definitely lucky to have him and I'm lucky to be able to play with him. He can score from anywhere."
Thursday was the fourth time in 2021-22, and in his career, that Norris had a multi-goal game. Strangely, all 17 of his goals last season came in separate games.
Both of his goals last night came during 5-on-5 action and of his 35 career goals, 19 have come while both teams played with five skaters.
At his current pace over a full 82-game season, Norris would score 46 goals. The Senators' franchise record for most goals scored in a single season is 50, a feat achieved in twice by Dany Heatley (2005-06, 2006-07).
And Norris is doing this while going against opponent's top lines every night as a 22-year-old.
"He's going head-to-head with Crosby tonight," Smith said. "He skated, he made plays, I thought he drew a bunch of penalties that weren't called. But that line did a real nice job, they had scoring chances and they worked."
Paul plays 200th game
It's taken parts of six seasons (and a one-off game in 2016-17) but Nick Paul reached the 200-game milestone Thursday night in Pittsburgh.
Paul's career has been well documented as he's gone through waivers more times than he likely remembers before he solidified himself as an NHL player in 2019-20.
"You've got to figure how hard it is to play in this league first off so to get to 200 is a heck of a milestone but to get there after going through waivers, and no one in the league picks you up, it's a feeling that you've hit the bottom," Smith said. "You realize that everyone in the league has decided that you are not an NHL player."
But Paul went to work and proved them wrong. The Mississauga native, who has played in 217 AHL games in the Sens organization, has scored 24 career NHL goals and tallied 56 points. He's registered back-to-back 20 point seasons with Ottawa and has been recognized as a leader on the team with an 'A' on his jersey over the last two seasons.
"To Nick's credit he continued to get better at the things he's good at now," Smith said. "He didn't pout, he went back to work. Sometimes you need a break … and with a couple of injuries Nick got an opportunity and Nick came in, has been a steady force, continues to get better and he's a glue guy with us, not just with the guys but with the staff and the community."
