When Josh Norris skated onto the ice to salute the fans and took in the applause that comes with being the game’s first star, it was a long time coming for the 25-year-old centre.
Two hundred and thirty-three days ago, Norris scored his 16th goal of the 2023-24 season. Norris injured his shoulder, again, three days later in a game against the Nashville Predators. When Norris went under the knife weeks later, it was his third time enduring surgery on that same shoulder since January 2023. It explains why there has been some caution over him throughout training camp, with fans holding their breath when they didn’t notice him at practice. Norris and the Ottawa Senators, however, tried to assure fans he was healthy.
Not only is Norris at 100 percent, but his contributions on Monday reminded Senators fans why he’s still an integral part of their team. And they needed him Monday afternoon when the goals flew at a fast and furious pace.
Norris scored twice and added an assist in an 8-7 barn burner for the Senators at the expense of the Los Angeles Kings. Goaltending was already optional throughout the game, but the Senators took it to another level by not having Linus Ullmark available due to a “strain.” Anton Forsberg started the game but was pulled after allowing three goals on nine shots in favour of Mads Søgaard, who was called up on an emergency basis from the Belleville Senators.
The Senators only took the lead for the first time when Norris scored his team’s fourth power-play goal of the day in the third period. When both teams needed overtime, Norris finished the game after receiving a drop pass from Drake Batherson.
Neuf wanted to keep going. He wanted to score number 9. We told him Josh it’s just not possible. So he said fine let’s go home.#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/iJy398MXhA
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 14, 2024
“It was fun,” Norris said. “I don’t think you get too many of those games. Fifteen goals in one game. But you’ve got to take it as the game comes. Sometimes that happens. Thought we were resilient and we hung in there.
“You don’t get too many of those (games). You almost have to enjoy it a little bit and just try to be on the good side of it.”
It was his first three-point game in over two years. His last such game came on April 3, 2022, when he scored a hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings three months before signing an eight-year contract extension with a $7.95 million AAV.
“Two huge goals too. They were massive,” teammate Brady Tkachuk said. “I’m just so happy for him and the adversity that he’s faced and how he’s always had a good mindset. Always been positive. The work that he puts in behind the scenes just to get back and prepare. I know it’s so rewarding for him to see the results that are following him. Obviously, not just as a teammate but as a friend, just so proud of all the work that he’s put in.”
“I feel great for him,” Senators head coach Travis Green said. “I think you’re going to find that his game is probably going to build from game to game. And to see him get results is obviously a bonus.”
Norris’ contributions will shine brighter than most because of the goals. But there was offensive wealth spread around the Senators, particularly with their core pieces. In a game that featured many twists and turns, it was important to see some of the Senators’ best players rise to the occasion against a Kings team that has reached the postseason in each of the last three seasons.
Not to be outdone, Zack MacEwen scored two goals while adding a physical element. He was one assist away from a Gordie Howe hat trick.
Senators multi-point totals vs. LA Kings
“Every successful team, it’s all about depth,” Tkachuk said. “Coming into this year, having the confidence that we have in our group, the quality of players that we have in our team too that can not just contribute on the scoresheet but the little things and the little plays that can make a team successful too.”
With all due respect to those whose contributions aren’t noticeable on the scoresheet, Monday’s game was all about the numbers we could see.
The Senators aren’t trying to play many games where they allow seven goals. But the eight they did score should be seen as a positive. The Senators played from behind most of the game, but they showed enough resiliency to stay in the game every time the Kings threatened to stretch their lead. What helped them was their power play that went 4-for-6.
Entering Monday’s game, they had only scored once in seven tries. Ottawa flashed more fluid movement in the offensive zone compared to their previous games when they were a man up while creating more chances from high-danger areas. (The same was also the case at five-on-five.)
One of the Sens’ power-play goals was helped by a Norris faceoff win which later turned into an assist on Batherson’s lone goal of the night. Norris was the Senators’ best faceoff man Monday, winning 53 percent of his draws.
It’s “Bath” time as Drake Batherson #19 scores on the powerplay! pic.twitter.com/4UVqdXBBc9
— Coming In Hot (@ComingInHotSens) October 14, 2024
“We changed a couple of things up and wanted to get more quality chances,” Tkachuk said.
“I thought our speed, our pace, was a lot better off our entries,” Green said. “I felt like we’ve been slow. (Daniel Alfredsson) and Mike (Yeo) have done a great job with it. We moved the puck a little cleaner in the offensive zone. Obviously came up big.”
Those adjustments must extend to their penalty kill, which allowed three goals on five power-play opportunities. Despite the goals allowed, the Senators didn’t give up chances from too many grade-A areas in the offensive zone while down a man. It was a much different story at five-on-five however.
The Senators will also need to be mindful of a developing injury situation. Green doesn’t expect Ullmark to be out “too long” but he’ll miss Ridly Greig for up to two weeks and an update for Artem Zub is still to come after leaving the game following a hit from Tanner Jeannot. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear Forsberg was injured after Kings defenceman Brandt Clarke crashed into him during a goal opportunity that was eventually overturned.
Those adjustments and injury concerns are just part of the pressure the Sens will face this season. Norris is among the group that will feel it more than most because of his talent, contract and injury history.
“I think it’s been tossed around before, but pressure is a privilege,” Norris said last week. “You can make it overwhelming, or you can just accept it and run right through it. I think it’s a good thing that we’re expected to do well. I’ve talked about it before, but we expect to do well too. So I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have on you.”
Scoring three points in a back-and-forth contest seems to suggest Norris is handling the pressure just fine.
(Top photo: André Ringuette / NHLI via Getty Images)
