SNAPSHOTS: Alex DeBrincat serves notice he’ll score for the Ottawa Senators
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Alex DeBrincat looks like he’s ready to fulfill the role as Mr. Big Shot for the Ottawa Senators.
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Acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks in the summer in exchange for three draft picks in the summer, the two-time 40-goal scorer scored twice in the club’s 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night at the Canadian Tire Centre, including the overtime winner.
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Trying to be a good teammate and linemate for the Senators, the newcomer was being a little bit too generous passing the puck and needed to shoot more. The club came back from a two-goal third period deficit and DeBrincat scored on the power play to seal the win.
A lot of noise was made about the fact.
“It feels good. I thought we battled hard, we were down most of the game and I thought our (power play) was good and we were able to put few in to come back,” DeBrincat said. “It’s a good feeling to win a game no matter whether it’s preseason, regular season or playoffs. It’s always fun to win.”
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He said he had spent too much time trying to find his teammates and needed to use his shot.
“Even in the first period, but then I decided that was enough and started shooting the puck,” said DeBrincat, a two-time 40-goal scorer.
Coach D.J. Smith wants DeBrincat using his shot and knew it would take time for him to settle in with the new group.
“You could see that DeBrincat had good legs (Saturday),” Smith said. “That first game in Toronto we had two intra-squad games and two days of practice and he’s just getting to know the system and how we play.
“(DeBrincat) and (Claude) Giroux certainly found each other all over the ice. He gets a couple there. He was looking to pass more than you want your top goal scorers to do. He looks like he can score from everywhere.”
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Article content OFF THE GLASS
Have to be impressed by veteran forward Derick Brassard’s effort Saturday. The veteran forward played 19 minutes against the Habs, won 6-of-7 faceoffs and helped set up centre Shane Pinto for the game-tying goal with 5:20 left in the third period with a perfect pass. Brassard, 35, has given general manager Pierre Dorion, Smith and the rest of the hockey operations staff something to think about as the team heads into the final week of the pre-season. Brassard is here on a pro tryout and is trying to earn a contract. He’s a pro and he could fit here because he can play any of the forward positions. “He continues to get better,” Smith said. “It’s clear how smart he is and he can play with good players.” … Rookie D Jake Sanderson had an assist and played 23:21 against the Habs in his first game in Ottawa. He saw time on both special teams and looked poised. “The thing about him is that he defends really well and that’s what’s going to allow him to have a good first year in this league,” said Smith. “He can play against good players, he’s got a good stick and he knows where the puck should go. He really likes the details of the game and his offensive will come. His defensive game and his penalty killing is going to be what allows him to play more minutes.”
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Ottawa Senators prospect, Tyler Boucher (13) returns to the 67’s after playing in the Ottawa Senators/Montreal Canadiens pre-season game last night. Photo by Valerie Wutti /OSEG
AROUND THE BOARDS
After a strong camp with the Senators, forward Tyler Boucher was sent back to the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s as part of the roster changes Saturday night. He can return to junior buoyed by the fact he had a strong camp and got better as it went on. A 2021 first-round selection, Boucher could have been sent to Belleville, but Dorion believes it’s better to have more success with the 67’s. GM James Boyd and coach Dave Cameron can help Boucher prepare to make the next step. You get the sense from watching Boucher, he’s the type of player that Smith likes because he isn’t afraid to get involved. The 67’s didn’t waste any time putting Boucher back to work; he made his debut in Sunday’s home opener against the Erie Otters and sealed the club’s win with an empty-netter … Winger Egor Sokolov didn’t perform up to expectations at camp and that’s why he was among the players sent down Saturday. He’s a big body and needs to use that size to produce points. He’s had to battle throughout his career so you get the feeling he’ll be back here at some point this season.
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THE LAST WORDS
Ridly Greig may not win a job at camp, but he’s served notice he’ll be a good contributor for this team down the road.
Making his pre-season debut after a shoulder injury sidelined him for most of camp, the club’s No. 28 overall pick in the 2020 draft left the game twice Saturday after blocking shots. Both times he returned and had a strong effort against the Habs.
Smith couldn’t say enough about Greig’s compete level.
“It’s incredible,” Smith said. “You saw him at the world juniors with his shot blocking and everything that he did there. We know he’s going to provide offence here as well as a penalty killing role. He was on one league (Saturday) but he’s a heart-and-soul kind of guy that’s going to be around when this team is really ready to turn the corner.”
bgarrioch@postmedia.com
Twitter: @sungarrioch
GARRIOCH: With 19 players sent to Belleville, Senators will focus on getting ready for season Share this article in your social network Advertisement
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