Ridly Greig might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of the Ottawa Senators against the New Jersey Devils tonight. That said, maybe it should be that way. Recently, Greig has found his game. And fortunately for the Senators, it comes at just the right time.
The team needs a jolt of energy, and he is the right person to bring it. He is a player on the rise.
Greig’s season started slowly for the Senators
Greig’s season got off to a fairly slow start. In the first three months he scored less than 15 points. Those aren’t exactly the kind of numbers that make you stand up and take notice. But January was a different story.
This month, Greig has scored 12 points in 15 games (five goals, seven assists) and is putting about two shots on net every night. In the last eight games alone, he scored nine points and had two nights where he was all over the scoresheet. Not bad for a guy who was quiet for much of the season. The man finds his touch.
Give his Senators teammates some credit for Greig’s rise
Part of what has helped is his linemates. Greig skates on Ottawa’s second line with Brady Tkachuk, who has scored twelve points in the past eight games. Dylan Cozens is also not far behind with nine. That trio clicks in all the right ways, and Greig proves he can complement as well as stand out. Throw into a role on the second power play unit and he’s in a great position to turn opportunities into points.
It’s not just about the stats on the scoresheet either. Advanced stats tell you that Greig creates serious danger every time he’s on the ice. Greig has put together something this month: 12 points in 15 games, five goals and seven assists, while making a few shots a night. He has also added nine points in his past eight games, including two multi-point games. He’s starting to gain momentum.
The Senators can beat the Devils at a good time
And the matchup? Things couldn’t have been much better for him. The Devils have allowed at least four goals in three of their last four games, making them the perfect team to make a statement with forward momentum. Greig is on the right track, just as Ottawa could use some magic, and all indications are that he is capable of producing a big night.
So keep an eye on him. Ridly Greig may not have been the first name you thought of at the start of the season, but he’s proving himself to be a striker to watch: fast, sneaky and peaking at just the right time.
Related: Insider says Jake Sanderson is already part of NHL’s Elite
#Ridly #Greig #hits #stride #time