Senators Overmatched, Fall to Bruins 4-2
A recap of tonight's game between the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.
Boston started the first period with some jump, resulting in an early Patrick Wiercioch penalty. The Sens managed to kill the Wiercioch penalty off and Ottawa drew its first man-advantage midway through the period. Honestly, something may have happened but after the Sens couldn't capitalize on the power play, I fell asleep so I couldn't tell you. I woke up right after Brad Marchand scored late in the period. Less than a minute later, Mark Stone equalized for the Sens. He gathered the puck in his own zone and carried it up the ice on a 2-on-1 with Mike Hoffman. Instead of passing to the open man, Hoffman, Stone kept the puck and patiently slide it behind a sprawling Tuukka Rask. The period was over a few seconds later, and the teams went to their respective dressing rooms tied at one. Shots 10-5 in favour of Boston.
The first half of the second period was fairly even with both teams trading chances including a 3-on-1 chance for Erik Karlsson and a breakaway attempt for Reilly Smith but both were turned aside by the goalies. Around the midway point of the period, Boston picked up the offensive zone pressure, but Lehner was up to the task. The Bruins got their second goal of the game on a broken coverage play in the Ottawa end which featured an Karlsson turnover. Rookie Matt Fraser, in the lineup as a last minute replacement for the ailing David Krejci, potted his first of the year. Less than a minute later, Karlsson got beat at the Boston blueline, setting up another Bruins odd man rush, and a second Fraser goal. That was pretty much the game. Both teams had 10 shots in the second period.
It was more of the same to start the third period. Boston pressured Ottawa from the first minute. Some soft play in the Ottawa defensive zone led to a Karlsson failed clearance, which Dennis Seidenberg scooped up and fired past Lehner. After going up 4-1, Boston sat back a bit and Ottawa took over play. Not much came of it until late in the period when a nice effort from Mika Zibanejad resulted in the young centre's second goal in as many games. Boston wins 4-2. Shots 30-29 in favour of Boston.
Honourable Mention: Mika Zibanejad
Zibanejad built off his best performance of the season against the Hawks. He kept shooting tonight, registering three on net, and scored a beautiful goal.
Honourable Mention: Mark Stone
The final score ultimately made it irrelevant, but Stone's marker at the end of the first period was big at the time. It was also a great rush and move from Stone. Once again Stone's line with Hoffman and Curtis Lazar was one of the more offensively dangerous for the Senators.
Dishonourable Mention: Turris line
The top line was frustrated tonight and didn't generate much offensively despite Boston's big injury concerns.
Sens Zero: Erik Karlsson
Tough night for the captain. Several defensive miscues all seemingly found the back of the net. He needs to be better and will be better. Don't worry.
Sens Killer: Matt Fraser
Two goals in a minute and a half sealed the deal for Boston.
Shot chart via ESPN:
Game Flow via Natural Stat Trick:
B_T's Donut: