The Ottawa Senators Are Winning, But Is There a Catch?

In a nice article in The Hockey Writers today, John Mikhail shares his thoughts about the Ottawa Senators’ strong start. A 6-2-0 start is nothing to complain about. The Senators are sitting near the top of the Atlantic Division, collecting points, and giving their fans reason to feel pretty good about the season. But there's a little warning light flashing beneath those results.

Ottawa isn't generating much offence. The Senators rank near the bottom of the NHL in several important measures of puck possession and scoring chances. They've also struggled to get shots on net lately, recording no more than 22 shots in any of their last four games. That's worth watching. A team can survive a few quiet offensive nights, but it's harder to keep winning when the chances aren't coming.

Injuries Are Part of the Senators’ Story.

Ottawa has some legitimate excuses. Jake Sanderson is an important part of the team's transition game, and losing a defenceman who can move the puck and help create offence affects more than just the blue line. William Eklund's absence also leaves a hole up front. He was giving the Senators another offensive option, and his injury has made it harder to spread the scoring around.

Those are significant losses. Getting healthier should help, and Sanderson's return could make a real difference. Still, injuries don't explain everything. Ottawa's top line has struggled to find consistent chemistry, and the power play hasn't been clicking either. Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson are talented players, but even they need the right combinations and support.

Coach Travis Green has options. Claude Giroux has worked well with Stützle and Batherson in the past, and splitting up the two offensive stars might help create more balance. Neither move is guaranteed to work, but sometimes a small adjustment can get a team moving in the right direction.

A Good Record Can Buy the Senators Time.

Here's the thing about a strong start: it gives a coach some breathing room. Green doesn't have to panic or tear up his lineup after eight games. The Senators have banked points while dealing with injuries, and that's a positive. But a good record can also make it tempting to overlook problems. Winning covers a lot of warts, at least for a while.

The concern isn't that Ottawa is doomed. It's that the Senators need to start creating more chances if they want their early success to last. You can't count on winning games indefinitely while struggling to generate offence. This roster has plenty of talent, and the current problems look fixable. But talent alone doesn't guarantee results.

For now, I'd give Ottawa some time. The record deserves credit, and the injuries deserve consideration. Still, the next step is turning those wins into evidence that this team can consistently control games. That's when Senators fans can start feeling even better about this season.