Video Session: A closer look at where the Ottawa Senators went wrong Saturday night in Montreal

The Ottawa Senators are off to a 1-1 start to the season, but if we’re being honest, they’ve probably been outplayed in five of their six periods so far. They defeated the Florida Panthers on Thursday night, holding on for survival in the second half of the game and getting some big stops from newcomer Linus Ullmark. And in Saturday’s 4-1 loss in Montreal, it was almost entirely the Canadiens.

After the game, head coach Travis Green talked about potential teaching moments in games like this.

“When you win a game, and especially this time of year when you lose a game, you get something out of it and teachable moments,” Green told the media. “We will definitely watch the game again and definitely learn a few things from our game tonight.”

Green generally doesn’t like to share that much information with the media, but here’s what he probably saw in the video today, along with the teaching moments and conclusions.

Emil Heineman makes it 1-0 for Montreal

In the final seconds of a power play in the first period, three of Ottawa’s penalty takers all positioned themselves on the boards with a 50/50 puck. Travis Hamonic and Shane Pinto were already there and Noah Gregor joined them. When Montreal’s Christian Dvorak won the puck, the only Senator taking care of business, Tyler Kleven, left his post in front of Ottawa’s net to attack Dvorak below the goal line. Dvorak passed the ball to Heineman, who remained completely alone at the top and pushed the ball past Ullmark once.

Conclusion/teaching moment: Don’t cheat 50/50 pucks. Weak forwards and defensemen need to stay home and protect the middle, especially on the PK.

Cole Caufield makes it 2-0 for Montreal

Brady Tkachuk made a strange move and fell out of position at the Ottawa blue line, giving Montreal numbers. Thomas Chabot was marking his man up front, so Nick Jensen switched sides with him to take on the loose striker at the far post. As a result, Chabot came out a hair too late to challenge Caufield, who yanked him short-side over Ullmark’s shoulder. Ullmark was positioned deep and could have sealed the top corner better. After the puck went into the net, he moved into a perfect position.

Conclusion/teaching moment: These small mistakes usually don’t cost you a goal. Sometimes you just have to take your hat off to a great shot.

Alex Newhook makes it 3-0 for Montreal

Chabot attempted a slow hip check along the boards that Kaiden Guhle easily dodged, giving him time to make an easy pass back to Lane Hutson. Hutson passed to Newhook, and by this point all three Ottawa forwards had positioned themselves on the same side, giving Newhook an easy route to the net, who walked in and scored.

If Ullmark moved slowly to the right, it was because he may have been obstructed. Check out #91, Oliver Kapanen, in the right post. He may have hooked Ullmark’s left arm. Kapanen’s stick flew out of his hand as Ullmark advanced to the far post.

Conclusion/teaching moment: Strikers have to cover each other. Greig went with his man to the opposite boards; Tkachuk met his man at that point. Greig looked as if he thought Norris would take his side for him. But he didn’t, giving Newhook the lead he needed.

Caufield makes it 4-1 for Montreal

Jensen moved on the offensive and fired. Chabot had to read that and be extremely conservative, but he decided to drift into that zone too. This meant that Montreal was able to pull away easily in transition. Suzuki had disappeared while Chabot and Jensen pursued him. None of them wanted to catch Suzuki, so one of them should have stopped and picked up Caufield, the trailer, who rolled up behind everyone and sank the rebound. This goal meant the game was over.

Conclusion/teaching moment: It should go without saying, but if your D partner is already deep in the zone, you need to stay as high as possible and be ready to return.

There’s not much to be thankful for in today’s video session, but happy Thanksgiving nonetheless from The Hockey News Ottawa.