Senators Blow Lead, Beat Oilers 4-3 in OT
A recap of Thursday night's game between the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers
The Senators got out to an early lead when the red hot Mike Hoffman snapped a long shot by Ben Scrivens. It wasn't a great goal and Ben Scrivens probably wants that one back. Just after the halfway point of the period, Alex Chiasson battled for space before losing his marker. A Chris Phillips shot from the point was then tipped passed Scrivens by Chiasson, giving Ottawa the early two-goal lead. Toward the end of the period, Chris Neil and Keith Aulie dropped the gloves, with both players heading to the dressing room after the tilt.
Shortly after the fight, the second line came to life. After Mika Zibanejad carried the puck into the Oilers zone, he dished to Bobby Ryan. Instead of shooting, Ryan sent a pass across the zone to Milan Michalek, who increased Ottawa's lead to three. The Senators were unable to convert on a late power play, in which the best chance went to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who was thwarted by Cody Ceci on the backcheck. It was a strong period for the Senators; Ottawa controlled the play, the score, stayed out of the penalty box, and won the shot battle 17-7.
The second period started with an early power play for the Senators, after a Justin Schultz tripping penalty. The power play generated a lot of shots and featured Mike Hoffman, but the Sens couldn't add another. A short time later, Aulie and Neil got reacquainted at the Senators blue line. Aulie landed on elbow to Neil's head and Eric Gryba went after Aulie. While Aulie wasn't penalized for his hit on Neil, Gryba earned a two minute instigator penalty and a 10 minute misconduct. In the second half of the period with Mark Borowiecki in the box, the Oilers got on the scoreboard when Leon Draisaitl put a rebound into the Sens goal. The period was tilted in Edmonton's favour, as Ottawa's discipline problems sent the Oilers to the power play three times. Shots 13-6 in favour of Edmonton.
Things got interesting midway through the third period when the Oilers got within a goal of the Senators. Jordan Eberle notched the 100th goal of his career with a few bodies in Craig Anderson's crease. Play picked up after the goal; unfortunately, a few minutes later Jeff Petry wired a slapshot top corner past Craig Anderson to tie the game. Edmonton continued to press late, and outshot the Senators 17-6 in the period. After 17 shots in the first, the Senators managed just 12 more in the second and third periods combined.
Ottawa started OT down a man because Borowiecki was still in the box, but the Sens managed to kill off his penalty. Hoffman played hero, scoring the overtime winner and saving a point that should have been secured after Ottawa's strong first period. Ottawa wins 4-3. Shots 37-30 in favour of Edmonton.
Sens Hero: Mike Hoffman
Scored the first goal, scored the game winner in overtime. He has six goals in five games and is now tied with Clarke MacArthur for the team lead. Mike has arrived.
Honourable Mention: Erik Karlsson
The captain had a strong game. He was flying in the offensive zone and managed six shots on net. While he didn't manage any points tonight, he was on the ice for all four Ottawa goals and had a decent night in his own end.
Honourable Mention: Cody Ceci
Ceci had a good game, assisting on Hoffman's goal and putting three shots on net.
Dishonourable Mention: Discipline
Things starting going bad for the Sens when they started taking penalties. Ottawa managed to stay out of the box in the first, but gave Edmonton three power plays in the second letting the Oilers back into the game.
Sens Zero: Mark Borowiecki
Boro took a couple of penalties, the first one resulting in a goal for the Oilers. He was on the ice for Edmonton's tying goal and got beat bad a few times, especially in the dying minutes of the third when he was forced into taking a penalty because he was just overmatched by Benoit Pouliot. He looked like a liability tonight.
Sens Killer: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
He set up Edmonton's second and third goals and had a few chances of his own, including an excellent shorthanded opportunity, and four shots on goal. He's just a good player and his skill was on display tonight.
Shot chart via ESPN:
Game flow via Natural Stat Trick: