Timothy T. Ludwig – USA TODAY Sports
The Ottawa Senators are suddenly in danger of missing the playoffs after two consecutive losses in which they scored just two total goals, and with three games remaining they need to figure out their scoring issues soon. The Senators suffered a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, just tow days after being dealt a 4-1 loss by the Toronto Maple Leafs. That leaves them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, tied with the New York Rangers in points but with one fewer game played.
The Senators survived a rash of injuries this season yet managed to stay in the playoff hunt even without goaltender Craig Anderson. Now, they are left wondering what happened to a promising young offense. Patrick Wiercioch and Jakob Silfverberg are the only players who have managed to find the back of the net in the last two games. The Senators will need more from Mika Zibanejad and Cory Conacher down the stretch, and can’t keep relying on power play tallies or and offensive contribution from their defensemen.
It won’t be an easy road for the Senators in the last week of play either, as they take on the Southeast Division champion Washington Capitals on Thursday before a Saturday meeting with the Philadelphia Flyers. Their last game of the season is Sunday, against a Boston Bruins team that could be playing for the Northeast Division title at that point. While Anderson has started the last five games, that back-to-back might open the door for Robin Lehner to make one last season. If the goals don’t start coming, it won’t matter much which goaltender is in net.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL senior writer for Rant Sports. You can follow him on Twitter or add him to your circles on Google Plus.
