With seven goals and nine assists in 13 December games, Drake Batherson is on a heater.
When things are going right, they really go right. Case in point, the game-winner in Wednesday night’s 4-2 win in Toronto, when the Ottawa Senators winger took a shot from behind the goal line that bounced in off the shoulder of Maple Leafs goalie Martin Jones.
“When they’re going in, you just want to keep taking shots,” said Batherson following Thursday’s practice at Canadian Tire Centre. “I hit a lot of posts last year; I guess this year, it’s less posts. In years past, there have been stretches where I’ve scored in six games in a row and stretches where I haven’t scored in 10. That’s just the way it goes.
“There are (a few) guys in the league that score 35 or more every year and it seems to go in all the time for them. For us other guys, it’s up and down like a rollercoaster. I watch a lot of hockey; a lot of goals are scored from in front of the net. I look at a guy like Brady (Tkachuk) who’s scored 30 or more the past couple of years and he’s always around the net. You want to get to those dirty areas.”
With his two goals Wednesday, Batherson, who gives a lot of credit for his success to linemates Tim Stutzle and Vladimir Tarasenko, passed Alexandre Daigle and is now in 25th place among all-time Senators in goals (75).
Asked about advice he’s gotten from head coach Jacques Martin, Batherson said: “The other night, I had a 2-on-1. I hesitated and put it right into the goalie’s chest. (Martin told me), ‘If you get another shot, just let it rip and trust your shot.’ It ended up working out a few shifts after that. Sitting with (assistant coach Daniel Alfredsson) has been great. He thinks the game like an offensive player. You try to make your play and he’ll say, ‘Great try, you’ll get ’em next time.’ That just gives you confidence going into the next shift.”
Against the Leafs, the Senators fell behind 2-0 early, tied the game in the second period – a period in which they’ve struggled this season – then won it in the third.
It gave the Senators two straight wins after six straight losses, momentum they hope to build off in a Friday night home game against the New Jersey Devils.
It seems to be trending in a positive direction for the Senators, who are now 2-2 under Martin, who replaced D.J. Smith behind the bench Dec. 18.
“You try and prioritize things you want to change and improve,” said Martin. “The biggest challenge for the coaching staff was maybe to change the mindset for how we play the game. It’s not easy to make changes with very little practice time. We want to be a team that plays more of a forechecking, quick game and also try to improve our play without the puck. It takes time. But I’m happy with how we’re progressing.
“In a game, you’re going to have some ups, some downs, you’re going to get scored on. It’s how you react. (Wednesday) was a good example. We weren’t pleased with our first period. We didn’t skate, we didn’t compete at the level we needed. But we adjusted and from the second period on, we played a strong game.”
YOUNG GUNS: It’s on Martin and the coaching staff to take the team’s younger players to another level. “We don’t have a lot of veterans,” said Martin. “I look at Claude Giroux, Travis Hamonic (as veterans). As a coaching staff, we have to help (the younger players) grow, help them get better. I like the energy (we have). I like the quality of people (on the roster), it’s a high-character group. As a coach, you try to provide some direction, but it’s up to them to set their own history and legacy.”
ICE CHIPS: Winger Claude Giroux left Thursday’s practice early. Said Martin: “He’s fine. He was one of the forwards who had the most ice time (21:40 Wednesday). He went out there and felt like he’d be better off saving his energy.” … Defenceman Thomas Chabot (leg) and centre Rourke Chartier (upper body) were on the ice Thursday. Said Martin: “They’re getting closer (to returning), but they’re not ready yet. Hopefully they can join the team to practise sometime shortly. At least the fact they’re on the ice is a good sign.” …. Asked about his goalie rotation – Joonas Korpisalo was between the pipes against Toronto – Martin said: “We’ll let them establish who’s going to play the most. We’re going game by game. I like what I’ve seen so far. They’re both battlers.” … Asked about the Devils, the coach said: “They’re a very highly skilled group. They’re young, quick. It’s a good challenge for our team, but every game is a challenge.”