-Great to see Robin Lehner get rewarded with a win last night. Really felt for him after that fourth goal found a way through late in the third. He had been terrific up until that point and if not for his performance in goal, this is a game that would have been out of hand early on. As Ian Mendes pointed out, last night was the first time in franchise history the Senators have given up 50 shots and won the game.
-Last night was just another example of just how amazing Jason Spezza can be when the puck is on his stick in the offensive zone. The passes he made to set up Erik Karlsson and Milan Michalek were plays that only a handful of players in this league can make. His defensive effort on the third St. Louis goal was nowhere near good enough but if you watch Spezza hoping for Selke-worthy defence, you will always be disappointed. With the injuries he has suffered over the past couple seasons, you get the feeling his body will only let him do so much in a given shift. Almost like he’s conserving energy for offensive chances. It can be frustrating at times but when it works like it did three times last night, it’s pretty to watch. Also, he was a +2 last night.
-Even though the Senators were finally on the right end of one, I’m still not a huge fan of the shootout. With that said, you have to really give Paul MacLean credit for playing a “hunch” of sorts and going with Stephane Da Costa third in the shootout. If he doesn’t score to extend last night’s shootout, we are sitting here talking about another hard earned single point.
-Just a masterful performance by the Senators penalty kill unit last night. St. Louis came into the game with the league’s 2nd best power play and the officials gave them every opportunity to practice it last night. The Blues finished the game 0-7 on the power play and at one point, had seven straight power plays. The Methot-Gryba pairing was outstanding.
-Hate to end another round of observations with a complaint about the officiating but what in the hell was going on out there last night?! After every whistle the Blues were getting away with a hack, punch or spear. And then Michalek gets involved in one scrum and it’s called. Moments before that, Alex Steen rams his own head into Ryan’s elbow, and it’s called. I understand that hockey is a fast game and mistakes from the officials are inevitable but last night almost felt personal. Good on the Senators for battling through the adversity.
-I’m pretty comfortable calling last night’s win the biggest of the season for the Ottawa Senators. To go into such a tough building, on a brutal back to back, and come back from down 3-1 to win the game is something this team should be extremely proud. 3 of 4 points in a Penguins/Blues back to back is a terrific result. Next up- a home game against the Buffalo Sabres.
