NHL scores 2016: The Senators’ inability to score is sabotaging their playoff chances

The Senators are really missing Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman right about now. Actually they’re missing a lot of players out on the ice, but not just to injury.

To the convenient broadcast graphic we go!

So, this is a lot to unpack. First, this was put up on the Senators’ broadcast before Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored his second goal of the season. Second, that goal doesn’t really change the fact that the Senators have not been able to score goals this year.

For the seventh time this season, Ottawa has lost a game after tallying just one goal on the scoresheet. They have just 37 goals scored on the season through 18 games, fourth-0worst in the league, just in front of the Avalanche. And, as that nice broadcast graphic so nicely explains, the five players that made up 118 of the Senators’ goals from last season have scored just 14 in 2016-2017.

An unfortunate combination of injuries — lower body for Hoffman and a broken finger for Ryan — and a 6.8% shooting percentage that’s well below the league’s average of 9.0% has turned the Senators’ 7-3 start into a 10-7-1 record. With five losses in their last eight games, Ottawa has gone from a solid Atlantic Division contender to slowly sliding out of wild card contention.

Yet, there’s evidence a turnaround is looming. Their PDO — the NHL’s advanced statistic that measures luck, essentially — according to Corsica is at 97.9, the seventh-worst in the NHL. Goaltender Craig Anderson is playing standout hockey in net with a .928 save percentage in 13 starts. The pieces on offense are clearly there, but for some reason can’t score.

Ottawa can only hope then that they find a solution before a playoff berth slips them by.

Lightning 3, Flyers 0
Kings 4, Devils 2
Sabres 2, Penguins 1 (SO)
Oilers 5, Stars 2
Bruins 4, Jets 1
Canadiens 2, Maple Leafs 1
Panthers 4, Senators 1
Coyotes 3, Sharks 2 (OT)
Blues 3, Predators 1
Avalanche 3, Wild 2
Blackhawks 4, Canucks 3 (OT)

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1. Speaking of scoring problems, we need to talk, Winnipeg

Somehow, the Jets were only able to muster up five even-strength shots -- and just 12 overall — on the Bruins in their 4-1 loss. Seriously, look at this chart if you don’t believe me.

That’s... bad. Even worse when you look at it like this.

You’ll get them next time, Jets. Just remember to shoot more pucks, will you?

2. The Stars literally cannot get out of their own way

Dallas has enough problems with their goaltenders, but now their own defenders are making life harder for the middling Stars. Twice in the Stars game against the Oilers, pucks were put in the back of the net against them off of bad deflections from their own blue liners.

That’s two goals in a three-goal game for the Oilers. Dallas is caught in a case of bad luck and will need help fast to keep afloat in the Central.

3. Minnesota failed to close the door on an important division game

A two-goal lead wasn’t enough for the Wild, who squandered away what would have been a key victory over the Avalanche. Instead, Colorado tallied three goals in just under six minutes to steal a win from the Wild. With the loss, the Wild now have just three wins in their last eight games after a 6-3 start to the year. So much for them hitting their stride.

Connor McDavid broke out of his 10-game scoring slump in a big way, with his first career hat trick! Watch all of the madness unfold right here: