Norris contenders go head to head ...again
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For the second game in a row, Erik Karlsson faced off against a serious contender for his Norris Trophy.
While neither he or his teammates fared well against P.K. Subban and the Montreal Canadiens Saturday, things turned around for the Senators in the second period of Monday's game against Drew Doughty and the Los Angeles Kings.
Doing much of the turning was Karlsson, who had a goal and an assist in a four-goal explosion.
Karlsson, who was caught up ice on the Kings first goal, made amends by teeing one up for Kyle Turris to put Ottawa up 2-1 and then, 2:05 later, directed a shot toward the goal that somehow made its way through a crowd and rolled over the goal line.
Earlier in the day, Doughty spoke of how he relished a chance to play against Karlsson and P.K Subban this week.
"They play completely different from me so I really don't even see how I'm comparable to them," said Doughty.
"I just want to show everyone I can play good hockey both ways and that I do deserve to be in those (Norris) talks."
How is he different?
"It's without a doubt,(in) my defensive zone," said Doughty.
"You watch me, I don't think you'll see either of them on the 5-on-3 (penalty kill) against. I'm the first one out there every single time. Defensively, I play a different game from them.
"They're definitely more involved in offence. I would say their offensive upside, on the power especially, is probably better than mine. I'm just more focused on defence than they are."
Doughty is a big reason the Kings have won two championships.
Karlsson, a riverboat gambler and one of the most exciting players in the NHL, would no doubt trade Doughty his Norris trophies for a Stanley Cup.
The real question is, can Karlsson ever win one playing the way he plays now?
STARTS AND STOPS: After the morning skate, Karlsson said he didn't feel the need, as captain, to say anything more to his teammates about the Montreal game. "It's something in the heat of the moment, things are getting said, maybe, but for the most part I don't think so," said Karlsson. "Situations and actions speak for itself. Sometimes you don't need to press the button any harder than it's already been pressed." Asked if he learned anything from the game, Karlsson stood firm. "No," he said. "I didn't learn anything. I don't know if anyone else did, but I personally didn't learn anything." ... Best Senators scoring chance of the opening period saw a Mark Stone steal turn into a great chance for Zack Smith, who was robbed by Jonathan Quick ... Moments later, Karlsson was caught up ice and Bobby Ryan skated north instead of south when jumping over the boards, creating the odd man rush Jamie McBain turned into the game's first goal.
BETWEEN PERIODS: Dave Cameron expressed a lot of "love" while speaking with the media after showing a lot of anger with his players at the morning skate, and much of it was directed at his fourth line. After saying he loved the way Craig Anderson held teammates accountable in Montreal, Cameron was asked about Mark Borowiecki's play as a winger. "Love it," he said. "Love it. Physicality, dependability, Love it." And what about Curtis Lazar, who has had an impossible time finding the back of the net, as centre on the fourth line? "Same," said Cameron. "That fourth line has been real good for me, for a while now. I don't need to see anything more (from Lazar). Just keep playing that way. There's no onus on him to score any points. The onus is on him to play the right way, and he's doing it. I love that line, to be honest with you." ... Lazar showed some solid offensive instincts setting up Mike Hoffman for his second goal of the night in the second period ... Could Borowiecki's move to wing become a permanent thing? Ever could become a full time move? "I don't think so, no," said Cameron. "He's a defenceman. He's an NHL defenceman. But I'll tell ya what, it's not bad when you can play two spots in the National Hockey League, is it."
THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM..: The Senators scored on their seventh, eighth, ninth and 14 shots of the game during their second period explosion ... The P.K Subban slap shot that sent Borowiecki limping to the bench Saturday night hit the Senators D/LW where the top of the skate meets shin pad. Nothing but bone. "I was screaming at the top of my lungs," said Borowiecki, "just trying to get the pain out of my body." ... David Dziurzynksi put two big hits on Doughty in the opening period. Doughty tried to avenge the first one with a lick of his own ... Kings coach Darryl Sutter tied Marc Crawford for 15th on the list of career games coached in the NHL. His reaction was to be expected. "I couldn't care less," said Sutter. "I've coached in parts of three decades now. More important for sure is playoff games, not regular season games. That's a way higher standard for me." ... Last weekend was bigger for Darryl's brother Brian, who held his annual bull auction at his farm in Sylvan Lake, Alta. "The second Saturday in December every year," said Darryl, who added that Brian sold 110 bulls.
"One day a year. Payday."
don.brennan@sunmedia.ca
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