Lehner maturing for Senators

Robin Lehner has made some tangible strides with his maturation process as a hockey player in the past few seasons and listening to him speak Thursday, he is becoming more and more self-aware in that respect.

"I probably went in (to the 2013-14 campaign) with a little bit too much expectations," Lehner said, via The Ottawa Sun. "I got a little too disappointed when I didn't get it. But that's my fault. I've went through it and I've learned from it. That's all about being mature, and growing and getting older. I guess being young you expect a little bit too much sometimes, and then you get a little bit too disappointed when it doesn't happen."

The article alludes to Lehner's stellar November run, where he netted NHL First Star honours while Craig Anderson was injured, but then lost the starting job as soon as Anderson was healthy.

"That was my mistake," said Lehner. "I think I had a little bit too big of expectations when it went well for me in the beginning, and when I didn't get it I had a young man's head.

"It's them developing me and them doing the right job ... it's me with the wrong expectations, expecting too much and not taking the message clear. It's my first year, and I'm not really used to this backup role.

"Emotion controls your games," added Lehner. "And if you're not mentally stable, it's tough to stop the puck."

Lehner also offers his perspective on how the shot quality Senators' goaltenders faced this year is higher than last season. Worth checking out.

Source: Don Brennan, Ottawa Sun