Alfredsson's 400th is overtime winner as Senators beat Flames 4-3

That was incredible wasn't it? What looked like another ugly game early on, ended on a very joyous note. The Calgary Flames took a 1-0 lead just 23 seconds into the game on a goal that went off Kyle Turris' skate. Six minutes later it was 2-0 on a power play goal and it was 3-0 before the end of the period on a goal deflecting off Filip Kuba. Shots were 15-15 and the scoring chances were 10-7 in Ottawa's favour according to those linked above. But as has been the case this season, the Senators were simply not getting any goaltending.

Alex Auld was pulled at the start of the second period and Craig Anderson was in. Nick Foligno got the Senators on the board at the 3:34 mark of the second, although the play was under review before being confirmed as a goal. Zack Smith made it a one goal game at the 12:01 mark on a beautiful shot from the right wing. The score was 3-2 in Calgary's favour, but all the momentum was with Ottawa. Shots were 14-7 for Ottawa and the scoring chances were 9-4 for Ottawa.

Early in the third period, Erik Karlsson took the puck down the right wing and then the following happened. Karlsson shot the puck, quickly got his own rebound, skated around the net and shot the puck into the net before the goaltender could get back in position. It was simply an outstanding goal from an outstanding player. The score would remain 3-3 at the end of regulation. The shots were 12-10 for Ottawa and scoring chances 7-5 for Ottawa in the third.

In overtime, Karlsson drew a penalty from Rene Bourque. What followed was historic. On the 4 on 3 power play, the Senators had plenty of shots but hadn't been able to score. Eventually Alfredsson took a feed from Karlsson and blasted the puck into the net for his 400th career goal. Erik Karlsson literally started jumping up and down to celebrate while the rest of the Ottawa players also jumped on the captain. Incredible finish.

The final shot count was 49-32 for Ottawa and the scoring chances were 34-16 also in Ottawa's favour.

Sens Hero: Daniel Alfredsson
The captain knows how to do it in style doesn't he? He scored his 1000th career point with a hat trick. His 400th career goal would be the overtime winner in a game the club trailed 3-0. It wasn't a particularly good overall game by Alfie, but what a way to finish it.

Sens Hero: Erik Karlsson
Karlsson scored the tying goal on a beautiful individual effort as well as drawing the penalty and getting the primary assist on the game winner. A couple of times he did lose the puck causing a rush, but he skated back hard every time to break up the play. Karlsson played 27:12 on the night and had 8 (!) shots.

Sens Zero: Alex Auld
A couple of the goals may have been deflected, but the goaltender's job is to make the saves. Auld did not and got the pull.

Honourable mention: Craig Anderson
Anderson played the last two periods and didn't face a ton of action, but he gave the Senators a chance to win the game by shutting the door the rest of the way. He's now 4-0 this season in games following those where he was pulled.

Other Notes

• Erik Karlsson's two points lifted his season total to 35 points in 38 games. After struggling to score goals for most of the season, the shots are finally going in for him, this was his third goal in five games. He is on a 76 point pace.
• Jason Spezza did not get any points but he fired 7 shots on net and his dekes were successful on more than one occasion tonight. He was certainly very entertaining to watch.
• Bobby Butler played only 9:25, the lowest of any Senator.
• Zenon Konopka was 7 for 7 in the face-off circle.
• The Senators stay in ninth place, but are in a four-way tie for sixth place on 41 points. New Jersey has two games in hand while Toronto and Winnipeg have one game in hand.
• This was the second time the Senators have won a game that they trailed by three goals. The first time was a 5-4 shootout win that they trailed 4-1 against the New York Rangers.
• The win was also Ottawa's fourth when trailing after two periods, tied for second most in the NHL. It was also the sixth time they have won a game while trailing at some point in the third period.

Game Highlights