Senators’ Samuel Ersson Gets a Chance to Feel at Home

There’s something about a home game that can make a difference for a player who’s still trying to find his footing. You’re getting to know the building, you get a little more comfortable with your surroundings, and maybe things start to feel a bit more normal. For Ottawa Senators goalie Samuel Ersson, Tuesday’s game against St. Louis offers that kind of opportunity.

Ersson is making his first regular-season start at Canadian Tire Centre as a Senator. His first two appearances this season haven't gone especially well. He's 0-1-0, with a 3.85 goals-against average and an .886 save percentage. Those aren't the numbers a goalie wants beside his name, but two appearances aren't much of a sample, either. And that's where this gets interesting.

Sometimes a Goalie Needs a Little Time.

Goalies are funny that way. One night, they look settled and confident. The next, a couple of bad bounces or a goal they'd like back can get into their heads. Before long, every shot seems to come with a little more pressure. Ersson is 26, so he's hardly a finished product. He's also at a point in his career where every opportunity matters. A new team can offer a fresh start, but it doesn't automatically make the hard parts of playing goal disappear.

The Senators need to give him room to settle in, and Ersson needs to show he can give them dependable minutes. That's a fair arrangement. Ottawa just needs him to make the saves he's supposed to make, limit the damage when things get messy, and give his teammates a chance to win.

The Blues Offer Ersson a Chance to Reset.

At least one detail in the matchup is encouraging. Ersson has had some success against St. Louis in the past, going 2-1-1 with a 2.41 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage in four appearances. Those numbers don't guarantee anything Tuesday. Past success is nice, but the goalie still has to stop the puck tonight.

For the Senators, though, this is a chance to see what Ersson can do with a little more familiarity and the home crowd behind him. For Ersson, it's a chance to put those first two appearances behind him and start moving in the right direction.

I'm not expecting one game to settle Ottawa's backup goaltending question. But sometimes a season turns a corner in a fairly ordinary way: a few good saves, a little confidence, and a night when the game starts to feel comfortable again.

Let's see if Ersson can find a bit of that at home.