OTTAWA — His coach may dislike the word, but Ottawa forward Zack Smith says the Senators are determined to act as spoiler over the next three weeks.
Senators head coach Guy Boucher called the word spoiler a “loser comment” earlier this month, but Ottawa has the opportunity to play the role to the hilt as their season draws to a close.
The Senators are coming off impressive back-to-back wins against the Florida Panthers, who were four points out of a playoff spot entering Thursday’s games, and the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are trying to hold off Boston for first place in the Atlantic Division.
On Friday the Senators host the Dallas Stars, who have a tenuous hold on a Western Conference wild-card spot.
The Senators knew long ago that the post-season was out of reach for them, and while they are still feeling the sting of missing the playoffs, they want to end the season proving they are better than the 25-33-11 record they have posted thus far.
If they spoil the plans of other teams along the way, all the better.
“There’s teams that are fighting to get in and if we can play spoilers that’s what we’ll do,” Smith said. “We’re not here to do any other teams any favours. If we can play spoilers, that’s what we’ll do. When you’re not in the playoffs you’ve got to find motivation in different places and playing spoiler is just one of the things.”
While some fans might prefer to see the Senators lose down the stretch to improve their odds at the draft lottery, the players are having none of it.
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“We’re all competitors, we all draw paycheques here and I’m not going to come in here and roll over,” said defenceman Mark Borowiecki. “I’m not going to come in here and mail it in at practice and mail it in at games, that’s not the way I’m wired. Not the way I’ve been brought up, not the way I hold myself and everyone else in here would agree. Whatever happens, happens, but we’re all going to come in here and try.”
Stars defenceman Marc Methot was expected to make his return to Ottawa since being chosen by Vegas in the expansion draft and later being traded to Dallas, but the Ottawa native suffered a hand injury in Tuesday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens and is unlikely to play.
Methot played a significant role in Ottawa’s success last season and his absence has been noticeable.
“He brought a lot of stability on the back end because he’s a very consistent player,” said Smith. “He’s a veteran guy and brought leadership and while he didn’t always say a lot when he spoke you noticed. I miss him too because we had the same taste in music so we could back each other up.”
Following Tuesday’s game the Senators now have three 20-goal scorers as Mike Hoffman, with 21, and Ryan Dzingel, with 20, joined Mark Stone who leads the team with 20 goals and 62 points.
This is Hoffman’s fourth consecutive 20-goal season with the Senators.
“We want to play well for ourselves, but as long as everyone’s doing everything for each other it’s a good thing for the team,” said Hoffman. “Everyone wants to finish on a strong note.”
Hitting the 20-goal mark was a significant milestone for Dzingel, who is just in his second year in the NHL.
Drafted in the seventh round, 204th overall in 2011 the Wheaton, Ill., native often heard the naysayers who said he would never make it and to prove them wrong was rewarding.
“I knew I could do it,” said Dzingel. “I’ve always felt that I could do it. I just had to go out and prove that I could. My family and I always believed it in myself, or they believed in me, but it’s nice to go out and finally produce.”
The 26-year-old admits it hasn’t been an easy season. The Senators fell far short of expectations and Dzingel has been dealing with a personal issue which makes the recent milestone that much sweeter.
Notes: Marian Gaborik missed practice Thursday, but is expected to play Friday. Craig Anderson will get the start against the Stars. The Senators are also hopeful to get Mark Stone back in the lineup before the end of the season. Stone suffered a leg injury last Friday against the Calgary Flames and will miss his third straight game Friday, but the Senators are hopeful he could be ready for Tuesday or Thursday’s game.
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