It was more dramatic than expected this was a much deserved win for the Ottawa Senators.
Jason Spezza scored the lone goal in the shootout and Craig Anderson stood tall as the Senators survived a rally by the Hurricanes and won their third straight hockey game.
The storyline shifted after a couple third period goals by Carolina but this was a game Ottawa deserved to win. They worked their tails off and were rewarded for it.
How can you not love the work ethic the Ottawa Senators showed in this one? Took them awhile to find their legs in the first period but that second period was some of the best they have played all season. They were relentless on the forecheck and supporting each other all over the ice.
I have a feeling that middle frame will be the period Paul MacLean uses in the video room when trying to show exactly how he wants this team to play.
Normally when a team lets a 2-0 lead slip in the third it's because they sat back. Really don't feel like that was the case in this one. The first goal by Ruutu was a case of miscommunication and the Skinner goal was just an awful penalty call.
Good to see the Sens power play also click again tonight as they buried their only chance with the man advantage. After a rough stretch to start the year, Gonchar has been the best defenseman over the past three games and was solid again tonight. When him and Karlsson are on, this power play is tough to stop.
With Alfredsson out, Spezza stepped up scoring once in regulation along with the shootout winner. The trio of Spezza, Michalek and Greening were a handful in this one and outworked the opposition on every shift. Definitely some signs of chemistry from that trio.
The Sens are next in action on Thursday night when they host the Florida Panthers.
- Really liked the game of Kaspars Daugavins in his first call up of the season. He looked confident in all three zones and seemed to have some chemistry on a line with Smith and Condra. Interesting to note that he finished with of ice time compared to the eight minutes and change for both Da Costa and Winchester. It's just one game but he's making a strong case to stick around.
- Craig Anderson let in a couple goals in the third but was good when his team needed him. He stood tall in the first period when Ottawa was a little sluggish and completely shut the door in the shootout.
- Zibanejad's ninth game is in the books and I liked what I saw. Still needs to loosen up a bit with the puck but he is still contributing. Took a shift in overtime and finished the game with 14:36 of ice time. Decision rests in Murray's hands now.
