This was a game that had a playoff feel from the moment the puck dropped at TD Garden.
And the Ottawa Senators responded to the pressure. Lehner turned aside all 32 shots he faced for his first career shutout and the Sens played one of their best team games of the season, scoring a tight 1-0 win over the defending champs.
The first period was one of the most technically sound periods I have seen the Senators play in quite sometime. They were strong on the forecheck and did a great job breaking up the Boston attack in the neutral zone and countering the other way in a hurry. Coach MacLean had to like what he saw in the first twenty.
With the Senators controlling the play in the second period, Erik Condra had a chance to put the Sens up by two and somehow missed a wide open net.
The Sens were able to hold the lead through 40 but it felt like the missed open net and a number of huge saves by Tim Thomas would come back to bite the Senators. Facing the pressure of the defending champs in their building and in just his third start of the season, Robin Lehner took the game over. The 20 year old battled unbelievably hard in the Senators net and made some huge stops over the final 20.
Along with his first career shutout, Lehner moves his record on the season to a perfect 3-0-0.
With the win, the Ottawa Senators pull within just one point of the division leading Bruins and jump into 5th in the Eastern Conference. The Sens have a couple days off before they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night at SBP.
Remember you can join other SensChirp fans at that game courtesy of Local Heroes. For $60 you get a 300 level ticket, dinner ($15 or less) and transportation to and from the game. Call 613 224 3873 and mention the SensChirp event to book your spot. Space is limited!
- Matt Gilroy played his first game in a Senators uniform and it was a fairly quiet debut. One thing that jumped out at me right off the bat was just how quick he is. Great acceleration and always seems like he is looking to jump into the play. Also saw just how hard he shoots the puck on a couple of occassions.
- Ben Bishop made his Binghamton Senators debut and while I wasn't able to tune in, it sounds like he stood on his head. Bishop stopped 41 shots in a 5-1 Binghamton win. The Bsens were outshot 42-39 in a game where Bishop was named the game's first star.
