While he’d rather play D for Sens, Erik Brannstrom shows skill on wing

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Erik Brannstrom’s first game at forward in what he figures was 14 years or so went well for him. And, for the team.

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The Ottawa Senators closed 2023 with a 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres Sunday at Canadian Tire Centre, with Brannstrom, a defenceman, playing left wing on the team’s fourth line, alongside Mark Kastelic and Zack MacEwen.

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Brannstrom, who had an assist, was plus-2 as both his linemates had a goal. The 24-year-old former first-round draft pick also made a terrific spinning move to nearly get a goal in the final seconds of the game. A video review determined Buffalo goalie Devon Levi kept the puck out of the net.

“What a night (for Brannstrom),” said Thomas Chabot, whose return to the lineup gave the team an extra defenceman. “We were talking about it before the game, ‘Just go out there, have fun and play.’ He clearly did that. He showed his skills, the way he skates, the way he can move the puck. It’s not an easy situation for him to be in. But he embraced it, went out and played his best.”

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Despite his success in an unfamiliar position, Brannstrom didn’t seem thrilled about the assignment in the post-game player availability in the locker room. His answers were short.

“It was different, fun,” he said. “I did the best I could.”

Asked about which position he prefers, he said: “I’d rather play D.”

Moments later, Senators coach Jacques Martin explained how it came to be that Brannstrom was asked, during a long conversation earlier in the day, to move up front.

“He was in a bit of shock when I talked to him about it,” said Martin. “He didn’t expect it. He didn’t practise up front (Saturday). I can understand his position. But he recognizes it was an opportunity for him to expand his skillset, expand his contribution to the team.

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“In the long run, it helps you. The more versatile you are, the better player you are. He’s been a really good soldier in this organization, I know he cares very much.”

Martin said the move was “not permanent,” but he also didn’t put a timeline on moving Brannstrom back to his natural defence position.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Senators hit the road Monday, with five games away from Ottawa to begin January. It begins Tuesday in Vancouver, then it’s on to Seattle Seattle on Jan. 4, Edmonton on Jan. 6, Calgary on Jan. 9 and Buffalo on Jan. 11.

In the Senators’ last five-game road trip, which began in mid-December, they lost all five games. It was during that trip coach D.J. Smith was fired, replaced by Martin, who talked Sunday about what he wants to see from his team in the coming days and weeks.

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“There are some areas we need to improve. Special teams, both penalty killing and power play. No. 2, we have to play better away from the puck. We have to cut down the number of goals against and we have to cut down the number of scoring chances we’re giving up from prime areas. As you become a better team defensively, that’s how you win more hockey games on a regular basis.

“(The players) aren’t robots. I really believe a lot of the game of hockey is instincts. But you need to have a structure. You need to understand when it’s time to pressure and when it’s time not to pressure and make sure you have position on your opponent.”

CAPTAIN IN THE BOX: Brady Tkachuk took two roughing penalties and a misconduct Sunday. The 14 minutes in penalties give him 88 for the season, the most in the NHL. As a key offensive contributor (16 goals, 10 assists) for the Senators, it’s not productive when he’s sitting in the penalty box.

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Martin was asked about the penalties the Senators captain is taking.

“One of the penalties (Sunday), I thought the other guy gave him a shot first,” said the coach. “He’s an intense player, a hard competitor. Sometimes it happens. I don’t like when they take penalties. But he defends his teammates, he brings a lot to the table. He’s been better at controlling his emotions.”

ICE CHIPS: Steve Staios, who had the interim tag lifted Sunday and is now general manager of the Senators was asked about the salary cap with Shane Pinto eligible to return later this month from a 41-game suspension (for violating the NHL’s gambling rules) and injured winger Mathieu Joseph (lower-body injury) also expected to be good to go soon. Said Staios: “It’s challenging, but I’m confident we can get it done. The situation we inherited and what we’re in is not ideal. But I’m confident we’ll be fine.” … Pinto now has a space in the locker room. Asked about the centre, Martin said: “When you miss training camp and half a season, it’s not an easy transition to get back into the lineup. He’ll have plenty of time to make sure his fitness level is at par and hopefully get his timing. He’s a player that brings energy. They tell me he’s a player that has some excellent skills as well. That could help the depth of our forwards.” … Asked about the third and fourth lines, which provided three of the team’s five goals (one each from MacEwen, Kastelic and Dominik Kubalik) against Buffalo, Chabot said: “They gave us a boost; they were fast, they were efficient. They had a big role in the win.” Asked about MacEwen’s goal, which came on a big blast, Chabot said: “I played against him a lot when he was with Moncton, then Gatineau (in junior hockey). I know he has that in the bag, he’s got a helluva shot. He hasn’t been in the lineup every night, but he’s always been positive and working hard in practice.” It’s worth noting MacEwen had 31 goals in 2016-17, his final junior season, with the Olympiques.

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