Article content continued

The onus is on Boucher and Ryan to make this work.

“I’m the leader of the team, in terms of coaching, I think everything is on my shoulders and that’s the way I see it,” said Boucher following an hour-long skate at the rink Wednesday. “But, the players are the ones that are acting on the ice.

“And, they’re the ones who get all the glory from the good things that they do. When you look at Bobby, being injured, being out and being in, I think the consistency I’m trying to get with that line right now, hopefully, makes a difference.”

A big part of the issue, according to Boucher, is Ryan has been displaced on the club’s first power-play unit because Mark Stone and Turris have had success so they aren’t going to be split. That has meant Ryan has been used on the second power-play unit and he’s not getting normal ice time.

“Power plays are 50% of the players’ points whether it’s (Ryan) or another player,” Boucher said. “Something has to got to give there and you’re going to get a little less points.

“Five-on-five is what I’m looking at right now. That line has shown some great spark in really difficult games and we’re looking at getting a bit more consistency from that line because it has shown some great flashes.”

Ryan had four 30-plus goal seasons with the Anaheim Ducks from 2008-to-2012 and had 22 goals in 81 games last year with Ottawa. The ability is there for Ryan because he’s got a good set of hands and the Senators need to get him back to the form where he’s involved and contributing.