FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-Not good enough is probably the easiest way to describe it. And it feels like we’ve said that a few times lately. Against a Philadelphia Flyers team mostly playing out the string, the Senators had the look of a team feeling like they’re in a pretty comfortable position in the playoff race. They lacked urgency most of the night and had some missed opportunities, especially in the second period when they had an opportunity to take control of the game. The Flyers were clearly the better team in the third period and even though Ottawa held a lead, it sort of felt like the Senators were fortunate to come away with even a single point.
-Craig Anderson’s giveaway cost the Senators a third period lead but up until that mistake, he was one of their best players and the main reason they had a lead to blow in the first place. It’s not that the Senators got dominated in this one but it was just sort of an uninspired performance from start to finish. Anderson was quick to take the blame in his post-game interview and while his turnover is the one that people will remember, just about everyone in the Ottawa line up could have played better.
-And now to perhaps the most concerning part about this game- Erik Karlsson didn’t take a shift for the last few minutes of the third period and only took one shift in the overtime. Guy Boucher didn’t say anything about an injury during his post-game remarks but really, that’s the only possible explanation for Karlsson’s decreased role in the latter part of this game. Worth noting that Karlsson also took the day off when the rest of the team practiced on Monday so it seems like there may be some sort of lingering issue for Karlsson. Goes without saying but this team desperately needs Karlsson at as close to 100% as possible come playoff time.
-There haven’t been many moments like that for Cody Ceci this season so it’s only fair that his third period assist gets its own thought. Ceci showed impressive patience with the puck on his stick, first to avoid throwing the puck into the shin pads of the Flyer covering him and then to out-wait the two Flyers in pursuit. Ceci kept his head up on the play and had the presence of mind to find Kyle Turris in the high slot. Heck of a play with the puck on his stick which is something we haven’t been able to say very often about Ceci this season. Damn shame that goal didn’t hold up as the game-winner.
-Alex Burrows started the game on a line with Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan and by the back half of the second period, he had been demoted to the fourth line with Chris Kelly and Tommy Wingels. After getting off to a great start in Ottawa, Burrows has tailed off a little bit and his ice time is starting to slip as a result. He’s still getting the odd shift on the second power play unit but we’ll see how much longer that lasts. Burrows briefly left the game in the third period with what looked like a shoulder injury but he did return.
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