Nick Cousins Elevating His Game to New Heights for Ottawa Senators
In his 12th NHL season, veteran winger Nick Cousins is delivering what many are calling the best hockey of his professional career for the Ottawa Senators. The 32-year-old forward, playing on a modest one-year contract just $50,000 above league minimum, has emerged as a nightly catalyst for a team fighting to stay within striking distance of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
A Surprising Driving Force
Despite his role as a depth forward, Cousins has become the primary driving force on whatever line he's inserted into, dragging his team into battle with relentless forechecking and timely scoring. His recent promotion to the shutdown trio alongside Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio has proven particularly effective, with Cousins making the most of increased responsibility.
"He's really playing well right now," head coach Travis Green emphasized when discussing Cousins' impact. "We shifted the lines a little bit. Pints' line was just playing OK since he came back from his injury, and I decided to put Cuz there. He's played up the lineup before in his career, and give him full credit, though. He's taking advantage of it. He's playing extremely well."
Consistent Excellence on Display
Cousins' recent performance against the Colorado Avalanche showcased his elevated play. In what became Ottawa's most convincing win of the season, Cousins was first in on the forecheck, won puck battles throughout the game, and scored a highlight-reel goal by making a power move to the inside on a defender before chipping a backhand shot under Mackenzie Blackwood's left arm for the opening tally.
What makes Cousins' contributions particularly impressive is his limited ice time. He's averaging just 10:28 per game this season, his lowest average since his rookie campaign in 2014-15. This makes his ability to be a consistent difference-maker even more remarkable.
Personal Assessment of Career Performance
When asked about his current form, Cousins offered a thoughtful self-assessment. "I've been doing a lot of talking about myself," he self-deprecated during an interview with the Ottawa Citizen. "But I said this a couple of days ago: I think consistency-wise, this has probably been my best season. Not like numbers-wide, but I just think, energy, engaged in the game, focused and I feel good. I feel really good."
The veteran forward elaborated on the challenges of playing with limited ice time, noting: "It's harder than some people may think. When there are power plays and penalty-kills and you're not on special teams, it's just kind of out of your control, so you've just got to kind of stay focused, stay engaged and stay ready for your next shift. Sometimes it can get hard. The legs might not feel good when you're out there, so you've just got to simplify maybe a little bit more ... You've got to control what you can control and be ready for your next shift and bring momentum to the team."
As the Senators continue their push toward playoff contention, Cousins' elevated play has provided exactly the kind of veteran leadership and consistent performance that can make the difference in tight games. His ability to maximize limited minutes while contributing across all aspects of the game has made him an invaluable asset during this crucial stretch of the season.
