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“I still want more screens than what we’re doing right now. Defensively, we’ve blocked a lot of shots. Collectively I think we’re much better than we were at the beginning of the year at being in the right places. We’re at the point we need to be better at working inside that structure, working hard to not just be there but make a difference in that position. That will take time.”

In the NHL, time is of the essence. The points you gain in October aren’t going to guarantee you a playoff spot by any stretch of the imagination, but they can’t be taken away when they’re all counted up in April which wins are paramount.

For those who have been around the Senators, the biggest difference in the approach Boucher takes has to be during practice. Sure, you can talk about him being vocal, but it has become pretty clear that he’s trying to bring home the fact that if you work hard, you’ll play harder.

“I hate practising just to get through a practice,” he said. “That’s how I am in my day and in my own life. If I do something I do it 100%. When it’s over then it’s over 100%. It’s either 100% rest or 100% work. There’s nothing in between for me.

“That’s why the guys have had some good days off up to now but when they’re on the ice, they’re working and watching video, I’m expecting to get 100% of them there.”

And, if Boucher doesn’t get everything he wants then he’s quick to let the players know he’s not happy and drills have been repeated until they’re done right. That’s because he is trying to hit home that the Senators need to be hard to play against.