FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS
-That was certainly one of the most entertaining Senators games of the year and it’s hard to believe there have been many games that good anywhere else in the league. From the moment the puck dropped this was two really good teams playing desperate hockey for 65 minutes. Minnesota came away with the extra point but that was an effort Dave Cameron’s team can be proud of.
-Who woulda thought we’d be watching Andrew Hammond and Devan Dubnyk going head to head in a crucial game in March? Both goalies took turns making unbelievable stops in what was probably one of the best goaltending duels of the season. Dubnyk ended up being a little bit better in the shootout.
-Speaking of the shootout, it was a damn shame to see such a good game decided by the glorified skills competition. Complaining about the shootout has become a little bit predictable but the league really does need to give three on three a chance. How fun would it have been to watch Erik Karlsson in a three on three situation last night?
-That line of Mike Hoffman, Mika Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan has become a legitimate first line. When they are clicking, the chemistry between those three is something else. I understand why Cameron broke them up briefly but that really shouldn’t happen again. They are too good together.
-Six points back with a game in hand. And two more games still to come against the Bruins. A win tonight in Winnipeg and the Senators’ long shot playoff chances start to look a little more realistic.
