A full week with new head coach Dave Cameron has brought about some changes, both good and bad for the Senators. Since the coaching change, the team has seemed to elevate their game to a higher level, fighting against the struggles they have had of playing a consistent sixty minute hockey game. Playing a bit of a different game, the team was able to take a breath Saturday after their win against Boston, which was the first win for Dave Cameron as head coach. The win also surprised many as the Senators have not done well in afternoon games, or against Boston at home.
However, it seems with the good, the bad always comes. In Thursday's game, Chris Neil left with a lower body injury, which after evaluation was determined to be a knee problem. Cameron commented on his status saying he is “week to week”. After Saturday's game against Boston, Zack Smith was diagnosed with a dislocated wrist an he will be out of commission for several months.
Due to both of these injuries, the Senators have called up centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau to help out who has 8 goals and 10 assists in 25 games in the AHL.
How will these injuries affect the team moving forward?
Losing a player like Chris Neil is never good for a team like Ottawa. Although he doesn't put up great offensive numbers (7 points in 28 games), he is a big part of the teams physical play and his absence will be noticed. The Senators will need to see players like Mark Borowiecki and Jared Cowen step up their physical play.
Zack Smith's injury is a tough blow to his already struggling season. In 27 games played, Smith has amounted a mere 3 points (2 goals and 1 assist). He has no doubt been struggling to generate offence, and starting off the year on the wing certainly didn't help. His physical play has also been lacking. His injury may give him the time he needs to work through his struggles, and come back a stronger player.
Both of these injuries, however, have a big impact on the young rookie, Curtis Lazar. The young centre made the cut at the beginning of the season, but Sens fans have watched him struggle just his first NHL goal last night in Buffalo. He has recorded 6 assists in 25 games, developing chemistry with the other young guns on the team. His struggles haven't gone unnoticed, and going to the World Juniors could definitely give him the confidence boost he needs to step up his game. Friday, December 19 is the last day for Lazar to go to the World Junior team, and with these two injuries to the Senators, the chances of him going aren't looking good.
There isn't much time for the decision to be made, but it will be an important one for Lazar and could dictate how the rest of his rookie NHL season plays out. The confidence boost that he will get in the World Juniors is well worth the time he'll be away. All that's left to do is wait.
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