Seemed apparent during certain periods of the game that the layoff was effecting execution. Lots of effort and good o-zone time late in the game but most of the play on the perimeter and pretty much no finish around the net. Also really had to shorten the lineup to get much going. PP moved the puck well but ended up getting few great chances.
Good
Hughes - most everything positive was going through him. Has looked better on the defense since the return to play. I wonder how his bonuses might effect next years cap room?
Miller - some flubs on the stick handling but pushed the play and helped get play out of his end and into the Ottawa zone. Used physical strength to get possession deep in Senators zone and got puck to the front of the net.
Myers - not perfect but overall good at getting the puck out of his end and playing the offensive blue line. Probably being asked to do too much. I'd say a definite positive despite a few rough moments
Hamonic - steady defensively and moved puck well. Has been quietly good for a time now and is likely getting a new contract
Bad
Hawryluk - can't make any kind of pass or doing anything off the rush. Running around but too light on his skates to get anyone off the puck. Has to use all his energy just to skate hard and try and stay in the play. So at the end of his ability, that it is all he can do just to stay in the play. Thus, can't make plays with the puck. Instead thrashes around. Give him credit for trying hard but trying hard is no way to assess a player at this level. A lower case Gaudette.
Joulevi - on for the first two goals and had responsibility in causing both . On the first didn't get in front of Stutzle as he cut across the front of the goal and on the second wasn't quick or hard enough on his check to prevent the pass from going to the front of the net and hitting Myer's skate. Had some very weak shifts where he got consistently banged off the puck and couldn't keep inside positioning in front of Demko. Neither him or Chatfield look close to NHL level players. However, fully in favor of giving Joulevi a lot of play over the latter part of the season. Needs a chance to show he can play with some extended use and the team needs to definitely decide whether to move on.
Vesey - can't do anything with the puck. Got some good service in this game but lacked the skill or quickness to do anything. Everything dies on his stick and seems to have extremely poor on-ice vision. At this point, should not be re-signed
Michaelis - too small to compete. Not fast or strong enough to carry the puck. Tries to dart in and out to get chances but you need more than that
Others
Highmore - think we can safely say he is not a top 6 player. Good hustle but gets shoved out of the play fairly easily. Looks replacement level player.
Boyd - little better tonite. Still not getting much done. Likely replacement level.
Ottawa has and excellent future. Have guys like Norris, Tkachuk, Batherson, Formenton, Chabot, Brannstrom, White, Pinto, Stutzle, Paul, Barnard Docker as a young core and Sanderson, Kleven, Jarventie, Daoust among others coming. Also you have an exellent cap situation. They have huge potential and should soon be a power house. Did development the right way - took their lumps and finished in good draft positions, traded out older player like Stone at the deadline to pick up futures, kept and added draft choices, took on bad contracts to get drafts or prospects, etc.. They followed the right formula. When you compare this to the way the Canucks have fumbled around doing the exact opposite you can see why some of us get frustrated. Ottawa future ends up being much better than ours.