FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-No highlights today. Out of sight, out of mind. That kind of game was bound to happen eventually. The way things had been going for the Senators the last month or so, you knew there was a bad game coming. And honestly, last night was as good a time as any. The New York Rangers are a damn good hockey team and they showed it last night. Ottawa got down early in this game and spent the rest of the night chasing the game.
-The good news is the Boston Bruins did the Senators a huge favour. The Bruins held a late lead against the Anaheim Ducks but let it slip away in the final minute and then gave away the extra point in overtime. The Sens and Bruins are now tied at 85 points although the standings give the Sens the edge due to less games played. The Bruins hold the actual tie breaker though with more regulation and overtime wins.
-Tough spot for Andrew Hammond last night. There had been signs he was coming back to Earth a little bit the last four or five games and then last night, he was quite clearly trying to play through a lower body injury. Hammond confirmed as much after the game. Hammond’s run has been the stuff of legends but they just can’t keep rolling him out there at less than 100%.
-Enter Craig Anderson. Or so you hope, anyway. He faced shots prior to yesterday’s game and the indication from the team has been that he might be ready for the weekend. Sure hope so. Even if Hammond had won last night, the Sens were going to need Anderson during the weekend back to back for at least one of the games. Now they may need him for both.
-Speaking of this weekend, get some rest tonight because this entire season could be decided this weekend. Maybe that’s a little extreme but with both the Senators and Bruins playing games on Saturday and Sunday, there’s a potential for a huge swing. The Bruins are home to the Rangers on Saturday. Then in Carolina on Sunday evening in what is a pretty tough back to back. Meanwhile the Senators visit the Leafs on Saturday night and then are back home to play the Panthers on Sunday at 5:00 PM. Gammmmmme on.
