Cozens Gets His First as a Senator in Huge 2-1 Sens Win Over Red Wings
We're never losing again
We've been clamouring for meaningful games in March for years and years, and today's tilt against the Detroit Red Wings was about as meaningful as you can get in the month of March.
Even if the Sens had lost this game, they still would have had better playoff odds than the Red Wings, but a win gives them a bit of breathing room - something they could definitely use in this very, very tight race.
If this was an important game for the wild card race, nobody thought to tell the two teams about it. The first period was an absolute snoozefest. Ullmark was barely tested, and the Sens' forwards barely got anything going. The most exciting thing to happen all period was a couple of penalties toward the end. We even got two whole minutes of 4 on 4 hockey that wasn’t any more interesting than the 5 on 5 play. Then, right before the buzzer, Chabot collided with a linesman and the Sens went to the powerplay. It carried over into the second period, but no goals were scored.
Thankfully for everyone watching, both teams woke up in time for the second period. There was a noticeably faster pace, and although Detroit looked like the better team, the Sens were certainly holding their own.
David Perron finally broke the tie on the powerplay. Against his former team, too! 1-0 Ottawa.
Ullmark had to stand on his head through a couple of Detroit powerplays, but the important thing is that he did in fact stand on his head. The Sens’ PK could really use some work.
Despite the lopsided shot clock, the Sens weren't getting badly outlpayed. They were mostly playing their game, and the Red Wings didn't look all that dangerous at 5 on 5. This game was completely winnable.
As anyone who has been watching NHL hockey for any length of time could have predicted, things got chippy as soon as the final frame started. Seider laid a massive hit on Amadio, and Chiarot hit Ridly Greig on the same shift, leading to a bit of pushing and shoving, and giving the Sens a powerplay that ultimately yielded no results.
Unfortunately, the Red Wings to finally solved Ullmark right after the Sens' powerplay expired. They’d put about 40 shots on him by that point, and the Sens defense was not looking great, so it was kind of expected. 1-1.
Greig ended up in the middle of yet more shenanigans late in the game, and the Sens ended up with another powerplay at a crucial moment. Dylan Cozens took the opportunity to prove just how effectively he cna replace Josh Norris, with a beautiful one-timer from the circle right into the net. His first as a Senator! Watch the video for the goal, but also for Brady’s reaction. 2-1 Ottawa.
There wasn’t much time left on the clock after the go-ahead goal, but they certainly made it interesting. At one point, Tim Stützle had a clear shot at the empty net, but Alex DeBrincat somehow saved it. The Red Wings were absolutely lethal with the extra attacker, forcing Ullmark to make some truly superhuman saves. They actually thought they'd scored the tying goal right as time expired on the game, but the puck had crossed the line after the final buzzer. Saved by the bell.
Game Notes:
- Linus Ullmark is back. He's never been more back. He was absolutely the main reason the Sens won tonight.
- This was Fabian Zetterlund's first game in a Sens uniform, and I was very impressed. He seems to be very good at crashing the net and going into corners, so he'll fit right in here.
- Dylan Cozens also had a great game. Really lessens the sting of the trade.
- Ridly Greig was the best version of himself tonight, which is to say that he was being a shit disturber and getting good offensive chances. Love that guy.
- I thought Chabot was very noticeable in the offensive zone especially.
- Unfortunately, Stützle's point streak did come to and end, but it wasn't from a lack of trying. He should have had that empty netter.
