FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-I believe the expression is “finding a way to win”. In the first three games the Senators had the game within their grasp and couldn’t find a way to close it out. Last night, with their season on the line, they found a way. And based on what we’ve seen from this team down the stretch, we really shouldn’t be surprised. This team is at their best when their backs are against the wall. If the Senators are going to battle all the way back in this series they’ll probably need to win three more games just like that one.
-As terrific a story as Andrew Hammond was down the stretch, you really have to admire what Craig Anderson has done the last couple games. It’s not easy to get thrown into the fire in must-win games the way Anderson has been but he has responded in a big way. He was terrific in Game 3 and then followed that up with a shutout in the biggest game of the season. Ottawa did a pretty good job in front of him but Anderson was good when he had to be.
-Lots of talk about what line Mike Hoffman was on going into this game and it ended up being a story throughout the night. Hoffman started the game on a fourth line with Zack Smith and Chris Neil but quickly moved up the line up as the game moved along. Cameron has done that often in the last few weeks, starting Hoffman on the fourth line and moving him up when the team needs a goal. Fact is in a low scoring series like this one has become, the Senators always need a goal. Hoffman got it done last night and really shouldn’t leave that second line with Zibanejad and Ryan for the rest of the series.
-I have seen some strange penalties in my day but nothing matches that second period faceoff violation. Just never seen a call like that at any point in the season and to do it in an elimination game was absolutely ridiculous. I mean, I get that the rule exists but to enforce it in that situation is completely unnecessary.
-Stayin’ alive. Still a ton of work left to be done but give the Senators credit for extending this series another day. That game on Friday is going to be tough. Montreal knows they better close it out in their building though because they certainly don’t want to have to come back to Ottawa for Game 6. All the pressure is on them right now.
