Blues vs Senators - A Game of Extremes

The most recent clash between the St. Louis Blues and the Ottawa Senators was a game of extremes. The Senators came out of the gates flying, scoring three goals in the first period and chasing Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington from the net. The Blues, on the other hand, looked lost and out of sorts, struggling to create any sustained offensive pressure.
The second period was more of the same, with the Senators adding two more goals to their lead. The Blues finally got on the board late in the period, but it was too little, too late. The Senators cruised to an 8-1 victory, their most lopsided win of the season.
The game was a microcosm of the two teams' seasons thus far. The Senators have been one of the hottest teams in the league since the start of the year, while the Blues have been one of the coldest. The Senators are now 5-5-0, while the Blues are 5-5-0.
There are a number of reasons for the Senators' success this season. First, they have been getting great goaltending from Anton Forsberg. Forsberg has a 2.50 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage, which ranks him among the top goaltenders in the league.
Second, the Senators have been getting timely scoring from their top players. Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Alex DeBrincat have all been producing at a high level. Tkachuk has 10 goals and 15 assists in 10 games, while Stutzle has 9 goals and 12 assists. DeBrincat has 7 goals and 10 assists.
Third, the Senators have been playing with a lot of confidence. They have won five of their last six games, and they are starting to believe that they can be a playoff team. The Blues, on the other hand, have been struggling to find their identity. They have lost five of their last six games, and they are starting to doubt themselves. The Blues' biggest problem has been their defense. They have allowed 8 goals in two straight games, and they are giving up way too many chances to the opposition. The Blues need to find a way to tighten up their defense, or they are going to continue to struggle.