Travis Green, the head coach of the Ottawa Senators, is facing a challenging task as his team battles for a playoff spot. With the team's focus potentially distracted by recent controversies, Green is determined to keep his players' minds on the ice.
The recent talk surrounding Linus Ullmark's availability and Brady Tkachuk's future has created a buzz around the team. Green, however, remains steadfast in his approach, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive team environment.
"I’m not going to get into that," Green stated when asked about Ullmark's absence. "I don’t have to talk about injuries. I don’t have to talk about any of that. He needed a rest and that’s fine. My only concern is getting our team to play, standing behind our players, and I know how good of a team we are when we play and don’t listen to the white noise and don’t let any of that creep into our room."
Green's commitment to keeping the team focused is evident in his decision to play Ullmark as much as possible. Despite Ullmark's recent leave for mental health reasons, Green believes in his abilities and wants him to play every night. "I pretty well stand by what I said. I want him to play every night," Green stated.
The Senators' playoff hopes are still within reach, sitting two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final wild-card spot. With one game in hand, the team has a chance to secure their spot, but they must remain focused and united.
Green's leadership and determination to keep the team's focus on the ice are crucial for the Senators' success. As the team prepares for their game against the Buffalo Sabres, Green's ability to manage distractions and maintain a positive team environment will be key to their playoff aspirations.
