Ridly Greig's performance is one of our three takeaways from the Senators 6-3 victory over Columbus Tuesday night.
The Senators prevailed against the last place Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 on Tuesday night. The Sens are now on a season-best four-game winning streak, they're 7-1-2 in their last 10 games, and seem to be finding their groove.
Here are my three takeaways from the game:
1. Tkaptain Tkachuk shines
Tkachuk was dominant on Tuesday night. However, despite his great play, his evening didn't start very well.
“I think it was the first or second shift. I was on a 2-on-1 with Chabot and I toe-picked," Tkachuk said. "I thought it was gonna be the opposite tonight."
His struggles didn't last as he put home a backdoor tap-in on the powerplay to tie the game at 1-1. 48 seconds later, he scored again on a 2-on-1, where he avenged his toe-pick. He opted to shoot and then batted home the rebound in Tim Stutzle-esque style for his second goal of the game.
Later on, Tkachuk scored his third on a nifty powerplay goal that halted the momentum that Columbus was building after they had cut Ottawa's lead from 4-1 to to 4-3.
Tkachuk showed Tuesday night why he is such a force – flashing skill and timely goal scoring – resulting in his second career Hat-Trick.
2. Finding ways to win:
The Senators game wasn't pretty on Tuesday night as Columbus threw 40 shots at Anton Forsberg, who was good, but also gave up (arguably) two poor goals. However, this new Senators team that has been winning of late has found ways to pick up points and win games even if it’s not their best night.
The Senators capitalized on their chances and also limited Columbus to the outside.
Their special teams, which have been among the worst in the league, scored two power play goals and killed all four penalties in the game. If those things continue to be better, they will continue to win games.
Also, as head coach Jacques Martin explained after the game, the team connectivity has been different of late.
“I see a lot more life and enthusiasm," Martin said. “And some good vibes.”
3. Ridly Greig continues to shine
Ridly Greig has been the centre of controversy following his empty net slapshot goal on Saturday that led to Morgan Rielly cross-checking him in the face. It resulted in a five game suspension for Rielly, but Greig hasn't heard or bothered with any of the outside noise.
“I've tried to stay offline the past couple days,” Greig said. “Everybody's gonna have an opinion on it. Probably they're gonna love it or hate it. Doesn't matter me.”
Greig scored the game-winning goal Tuesday with a little deflection on a shot from Vladimir Tarasenko. Greig now leads the Senators with a +20 and is impressing his coach.
“I think he’s a young guy that's learning his way through the league,” Martin said. ”He’s a big contributor to our team.”
As much as Greig contributes on the ice, according to teammate Thomas Chabot, he does not contribute many words off the ice.
“(Greig’s) the kind of guy that will text you, 'What's up?'” Chabot said. “And will get back to you and just say nothing and then leave the conversation at that. Everybody enjoys him in the room. He's a great guy."