FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-In the lead up to Game 4, we were repeatedly reminded that this would be the night we saw the absolute best of the Boston Bruins. After dropping Game 3 on home ice and suddenly facing the prospect of going back to Ottawa facing elimination, the Bruins would push back in Game 4. They would dictate the pace. They would control the game and Ottawa would be lucky to come away with a win. Yea, not so much. Sure, Craig Anderson made some big stops at key times but the Senators were the better team in this one. Holding a desperate Bruins team to just 22 shots is nothing short of remarkable. This was Ottawa’s best 60 minute effort of the series.
-If you were expecting anything other than Craig Anderson’s best last night, you haven’t really been paying close attention to his career with the Ottawa Senators. Much like this year’s team, Anderson has always found a way to turn in spectacular efforts following rough stretches. Things were kind of snowballing in the wrong direction for Anderson in Game 2 and Game 3 but he’s a huge reason the Senators are now going back to Ottawa with a 3-1 series lead. He made three massive saves towards the end of the first period and then a couple more late in the game, including a diving glove stop off Brad Marchand in the game’s final minute.
-Really can’t understate how great it is to see Bobby Ryan having a productive playoff series. It’s been well-documented but this has been an incredibly difficult season for Ryan both on and off the ice. And while his play was never quite as bad as fans made it out to be, his contract predictably made him a target for criticism. Well he’s certainly earning that money now. Watching Ryan on the ice and his post-game interviews, it’s clear he’s just having fun again. Let that be a lesson to the rest of us-looking for happiness and success in your life? Step 1- delete your Twitter account.
-While at times it seems like the Ben Harpur hype train may be rolling along a little faster than necessary, last night was certainly his best game as an NHLer. That it came during a playoff game in a hostile building is really impressive. He has this incredible poise with the puck that often leaves me shaking my head in disbelief. There were multiple instances in last night’s game where it seemed like he waited too long or went the wrong way on a zone exit and each time it turned out to be a better play than the first one available. We know he’s big, we know he’s strong, but his patience with the puck is remarkable.
-Not sure why exactly but there wasn’t nearly enough conversation about Kevan Miller’s hit on Tom Pyatt in the first period of last night’s game. Not only was it blatant interference but that’s direct contact- shoulder to head. I understand that maybe Bob Cole didn’t see it because well, he doesn’t see a lot of things but nobody else on the broadcast brought it up the rest of the night. Don Cherry mentioned it briefly as some backwards lesson for all the kids out there but nobody seemed willing to label is what it was- a clearly dirty hit. Pyatt did not return to the game and it’s fair to speculate that a concussion is a possibility. The league should take a second look at that hit and if nothing else, explain why that’s not something worthy of supplemental discipline.
-Bonus Thought- Just because it feels like there are a bunch of players that deserve recognition that didn’t make it into the five thoughts above. Another great game from Derick Brassard who is clearly finding another level to his game these playoffs. Another jaw-dropping play by Erik Karlsson on the game’s only goal. A quietly excellent game by Alex Burrows, especially defensively. He blocked a shot late in the game that seemed destined for the back of the net. I thought Cody Ceci did a nice job in some tough minutes, ending the game with 25:37. And finally, full credit to Guy Boucher and the rest of the Coaching Staff for being on the ball and spotting that offside. They were due for a successful challenge! Really, I could probably come up with something good to say about every player. It was that good of a team effort.
Boucher’s Post-Game Comments
Boxscore
Advanced Stats
Playoff Bracket
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