- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 398,969
- Reaction score
- 43
You must be registered for see images attach
Monday night's game against the Red Wings had its fill of noteworthy moments.
Linus Ullmark was the star, making a season-high 48 saves - many of them being of the highlight-reel variety, snuffing out high-danger chances. The Swedish goaltender singlehandedly stole two critical regulation points in the Senators' push for the postseason against a division rival competing for one of the Conference's wild card seeds. His efforts earned him several standing ovations, and pervasive "Ull-mark, Ull-mark" chants filled the air at the Canadian Tire Centre.
The magical night was capped off by a game-winning goal by the organization's shiniest new toy. The newly acquired Dylan Cozens seamlessly transitioned into the lineup and hearts of Senators fans by blasting a one-timer past Cam Talbot in the waning minutes of the third period. Everything from the newcomer's first goal with the Senators to the delivery of Jake Sanderson's crisp cross-ice pass generated buzz, but Ridly Greig deserves more attention for his role in the game-deciding goal.
After drawing a boarding penalty earlier in the third period, Greig initiated contact with Red Wings defenceman Moritz Seider at the Senators' blue line with just over five minutes left in the third period. Greig skated into Seider, and the two became entangled. The Senators' pest doled out a shove before Seider responded with one of his own that the Riddler sold well, drawing a roughing call.
Twelve seconds later, the Senators gained the lead and never looked back.
The ability to make the opposing players lose their cool at critical junctures of a game is unique and valuable.
Moritz Seider is a calm and collected character. Entering Monday's game, he had only taken 16 minor penalties through 60 games.
Greig got the best of him.
On Thursday, Greig humbly chalked up the events to luck.
"(I was) probably a little bit luckier with the timing of the game to draw a penalty," Greig explained. "But, whenever you play the game hard and play the right way, certain things can work out in your favour."
Greig acknowledged that he does get under the skin of his opponents, but he does not want to overthink it. He credits his simple game and willingness to finish checks as reasons for success.
Greig's linemate, Shane Pinto, is impressed with his ability to do it at such an early point in his career.
"He's still a young kid in the league," Pinto said admiringly. "He's only 22 or 23, and to do what he's doing, just his all-around game, and obviously getting under guys' skin.
Greig may only be 22, but he first realized he had a gift in high school.
"When I was 16, in junior, he said. "It was when I mostly started to play that way. I was a little bit undersized when I was 16. I was on the fourth line. So, I tried to start hitting guys and make a difference in the game."
He has carried that style with him from junior to the game's highest level and his teammates love him for it.
"I love playing with him," said Pinto. "I get a kick out of it, watching him scrumming it up. It's just super impressive to watch his all-around game and be able to affect the game like that.
"It's hard to do, and those players are hard to find. It makes him so good. His demeanour is pretty chill. You wouldn't think he could get under your skin, but he does it in a sneaky way that works for him. It's pretty funny to watch."
Pinto is correct to characterize Greig as being more than just a pest. He has provided decent scoring depth, recording 11 goals and 23 points through 62 games. Injuries have impacted Greig's role and position throughout the season. According to Evolving-Hockey's line combinations tool, Greig has logged over 30 minutes of ice time this season playing on seven different line combinations.
He is a utility knife player who can move up and down the lineup because the coaching staff trusts him. They know he can be effective irrespective of who or where he plays. Greig is currently a key cog on the team's third line with Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio. The trio is often tasked with the responsibility of matching up against the opposition's top lines.
Greig plays on the penalty kill, and his strength in the faceoff circle has improved markedly since his arrival as an NHL regular. In 20 appearances during the 2022-23 season, Greig posted a 39.4 percent success rate. That number improved to 43.9 percent last season but sits at an impressive 52.2 percent mark in 2024-25.
He has become an essential part of the roster, but his pest nature has become a hallmark characteristic of this team.
Drake Batherson believes Greig's agitating ways are simply a product of his competitiveness.
"It is the way he competes, night in and night out," the skilled winger said. " He doesn't care what night or what game it is in the season. He plays the same way every single night. He finishes checks, hits really hard, and just flat-out competes."
Tim Stützle echoed Batherson's comments.
"(Greig) just finishes every hit," Stützle stated. "Even if it is three or four seconds late, he still goes through a guy. He plays hard on the top guys."
The added wrinkle, Stützle explained, is that when Greig does something on the ice, he dons the earmuffs and tunes out the opposition.
"That riles them too because they're chirping, and he doesn't even say anything back."
Off the ice, Greig's described by his teammates as a terrible card player and a quiet guy who is beginning to come out of his shell and open up more.
"He's a really quiet kid," said Batherson. "His first few years, he didn't say much. He's getting out there now. The new contract, I think, helped too.
"He plays cards with us on the plane, at the table. He's an awesome guy and a guy you want to have around and then hang out with."
The Senators have not clinched a playoff spot, but after securing five wins in a row, they have created a points cushion on some of their Eastern Conference rivals vying for a wild card seed.
HockeyViz's playoff projection model gave the Senators an 88.2 percent chance of reaching the postseason before Friday's slate of games.
You must be registered for see images attach
With that possibility looking more and more likely, it is easy to acknowledge Greig's game and realize how miserable he will make things for the opposition. This notion is not lost on his teammates.
"I just think about guys on Florida, like (Sam) Bennett, obviously, (Brad) Marchand," said Shane Pinto. "Now it's like that is the type of player you need to win and that's exactly what Ridly is going to do.
"He's just going to get in a guy's face for a seven-game series. I can't imagine what he will do, but I'm excited to see it. Hopefully, we get there, but it will be fun to watch."
Drake Batherson agreed.
"You usually play a team once in a row (during the regular season), and he seems to get under their skin," Batherson said excitedly. "You think about a seven-game series, and he'd be fun to watch. You want those guys on your side in a series like that."
Greig believes his style is perfect for the postseason.
"My style of game is a playoff style of hockey," Ridly stated. "We're mostly thinking about (taking things) day by day, but hopefully we can get in the playoffs. When the time comes, I won't change my game too much. I'll keep playing the same way."
Personally, I cannot wait. It should be electric.
By Graeme Nichols
The Hockey News Ottawa
Be sure to bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa for great Sens coverage all year around.
Ottawa Senators Beat Boston 6-3, Powered By Ullmark's Save Of The Year
Newcomer Fabian Zetterlund On Fourth Line Duty For A Third Straight Game
Diving Into The Analytics Of Josh Norris Versus Dylan Cozens
Senators Head Coach Travis Green Reflects on 400 NHL Games
Continue reading...
