From Brady Tkachuk's signing, Anton Forsberg's spectacular performance and Tyler Ennis' contributions, Thursday was a good day for the Sens as Three Thoughts examines.
Brady's impact
The pent-up excitement could be felt at Canadian Tire Centre all night Thursday and it exploded during the second TV timeout of the first period when Brady Tkachuk made his triumphant return.
After penning a seven-year contract with the Senators earlier in the day, Tkachuk immediately headed to Ottawa and made his first appearance in front of Sens fans with a theatrical return to pump up the home crowd.
"I was so happy and pumped for him," Tim Stützle said. "He really deserves it. He's a huge part of our team and the leadership he has and the way he plays and what he brings to the team, it's going to be really really good for us."
His return to the lineup is still unclear, with Sens head coach D.J. Smith saying post-game that Sunday against Dallas would be the earliest but Thursday against San Jose is also possible.
The news of his return also seemed to fire up his teammates who exploded for a three-goal first period against the Maple Leafs.
"I'm really happy to be back," Tkachuk said. "I'm happy to be back in front of the fans and after seeing a great [first] period by us, it's fun to be watching but it's going to be fun to be playing here again soon."
Sensational Forsberg
In what was his first career NHL opening night start, Anton Forsberg was simply sensational Thursday.
The Swede made a career high 46 saves, the third most saves by a Sens goaltender in a home game.
"Obviously you're a little more tense than normal coming into the season opener," Forsberg said. "Preseason games are one thing but it's a different level in the regular season but it's exciting and a lot of fun."
It was just his ninth game as a Senator and without doubt was his most impressive performance for Ottawa. In nine games with the Sens Forsberg is 4-4-1 with a .917 save percentage.
"Forsberg was exceptional tonight," Stützle said. "He made so many unreal stops and kept us in the game."
Enzo contribution
In his first game as a Senator since Feb. 24, 2020, Tyler Ennis was a difference maker Thursday.
Ennis had a goal and an assist in the first period to help the Sens build a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.
"It was nice to be back, nice to have fans and nice to get a win," Ennis said. "It was a good first game."
The 32-year-old scored 14 goals, including five on the power play, for the Senators in 2019-20 before a trade to his hometown Oilers shortly before Covid-19 ended the season. Now, 18 months later and after earning a contract after attending training camp on a professional tryout, Ennis is hoping to recapture that scoring touch in a Sens jersey once again where he averages a point every 0.56 games.
"It's nice for sure especially when it goes in off your arm and you don't have to do anything [except] stand there," Ennis said of his goal. "It's always nice to get off to a good start for the team and individually."
