At this point in the season, nothing should surprise you when it comes to the Ottawa Senators.
Facing a 3-1 deficit after forty minutes, and with another key player lost to injury, the Ottawa Senators completely turned this game on its head. Silfverberg, Smith, Gonchar and Latendresse scored third period goals and the Sens completed a ferocious third period rally, upending the New York Islanders by a 5-3 final.
Honestly, I'm running out of ways to describe the heroic effort this team is putting in despite facing such incredible adversity. This was a game where they appeared down and out after forty minutes, but they just refused to quit.
Another huge two points that further solidifies the team's hold on a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are now six points clear of the New Jersey Devils who sit in 9th in the East.
The game certainly started well for Ottawa.
Matt Kassian was acquired by Bryan Murray to add some toughness to the line up but he showed off his goal scoring ability, deflecting a Sergei Gonchar point shot to give the Senators a 1-0 lead. Gonchar has now registered an assist in eight straight games, extending his personal best and tying the franchise record in the process. The Islanders would tie it up later in the period as Keith Aucoin finished off a Kyle Okposo pass, slipping the puck under Ben Bishop. Likely one Big Ben would like back.
Another weak one to start the second as just 14 seconds into the period, a Josh Bailey shot snuck in under the arm of Bishop. The Isles continued to control the pace and with Kassian in the box for a questionable roughing call, Lubomir Visnovsky snuck down low and tapped in a cross crease pass from Matt Moulson. The Islanders would carry that 3-1 lead into the third.
And that's when the Pesky Sens checked in.
First it was a Patrick Wiercioch point shot, deflected by Jakob Silfverberg that beat Nabokov to pull Ottawa within one. Then moments later, Zack Smith finished off a broken play off a point shot by Sergei Gonchar and just like that, tied at 3-3.
The Islanders appeared to have restored their lead later in the third but it was ruled Keith Aucoin kicked the puck in. With just over a minute left in the game and overtime looming, another Sergei Gonchar point shot deflected off a body out front and passed Nabokov to give the Senators a shocking third period lead. Latendresse would score into the empty net to seal it.
Obviously it wasn't all good news as defenceman Marc Methot left the game in the second period with what appeared to be an injury to his right leg. His status will be reevaluated on Wednesday.
Next up for the Ottawa Senators is another date with the Boston Bruins. Last two meetings between the Bruins and Sens both needed extra time, with Boston grabbing the extra point on both occasions. Should be another good one at Scotiabank Place.
- Another two point night for Patrick Wiercioch. Paul MacLean has been careful in not overexposing him in his rookie season but the kid looks like he's ready for more responsibility. And with the injury to Methot, the Sens may not have a choice. Wiercioch has seven points in his last six games.
- Probably Sergei Gonchar's best game in an Ottawa uniform. He played 25:44, scored the game winning goal, added two assists and was a +5. He has been playing some phenomenal hockey of late.
- Congratulations to Sens Captain Daniel Alfredsson who registered his 1,100 career point on the empty net goal. Another milestone for the best leader in the game today.
