The Senators took a step back this season, but their outgoing head coach still has some goals for them over the final three weeks.
Three weeks from tonight, the Ottawa Senators' disappointing 2023-24 season will come to a close and they will miss the playoffs for a seventh straight time. Technically, they have nothing left to play for, but outgoing head coach Jacques Martin still has a list of goals.
"We want to see some improvement – I think that's the key," Martin said. "Trying to establish an identity. I think we've played better. Offensively, we've created more. I know we haven't scored more, but we've created more. And also learning to play a responsible game.
Martin also believes that facing desperate teams who are in do-or-die playoff mode is good for the young players' development.
"At this time of year, you sometimes face some desperate teams," Martin said. "Some teams that are battling for playoffs. So for our players, I think it's important that you need to show up every game. And I thought against Edmonton (a 5-3 victory), we played a more physical game. We took the body more, and I think that helped us."
These final games are also a chance for young players like Angus Crookshank to shine and make an impression.
"Yeah, I think so. I hope so," Martin said. "Sometimes with young players, they come in and they have a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of energy. And then sometimes it phases out. But I think with (Crookshank), hopefully, he can maintain the pace, intensity and execution."
Playing on a line with Tim Stutzle and Claude Giroux the last two games, no callup in Ottawa Senators history has been given a better chance to showcase himself than Crookshank. And that's the line he was on again at practice on Tuesday:
Tkachuk-Pinto-Batherson
Crookshank-Stützle-Giroux
Kubalik-Greig-Joseph
Katchouk-Kastelic-Kelly
Sanderson-Zub
Chabot-Brannstrom
Chychrun-JBD
Korpisalo
Other Tuesday tidbits:
Senators prospect Djibril Touré was a spectator at Senators practice on Tuesday. The 6-foot-7 defenceman was traded from Sudbury to Windsor this season but the Spitfires didn't make the OHL playoffs. Touré signed his entry level contract with the Senators back in September.
After Joonas Korpisalo won on consecutive days on the weekend, he'll start again in Buffalo on Wednesday. Martin didn't rule out the notion of another back to back when Chicago visits on Thursday.
If you thought the Senators' playoff skid was bad, the Sabres' drought is nearly twice as long. They'll likely miss the playoffs for the 13th straight year. That adds to the all-time NHL record they set last year.