(UPDATE 4:00 PM)- Some good news from Sens practice out in LA as apparently both Zack Smith and Kaspars Daugavins are on the ice for practice. Still no update on their status for tomorrow but this is obviously a great sign. Da Costa and Petersson both with the club.
(UPDATE 10:35 AM)- With injuries to Kaspars Daugavins and Zack Smith last night, the Ottawa Senators have recalled Stephane Da Costa from Binghamton of the AHL. Da Costa has 9 goals and 10 assists in 21 AHL games. Sounds like Smith could be sidelined on Saturday afternoon in Anaheim.
The San Jose Sharks have been one of the best teams in the NHL this season.
The Senators saw exactly why in the early going but the spectacular play of Craig Anderson slowed the San Jose attack and the Sens made their opportunities count. With their 4-1 win at HP Pavilion, the pesky Sens pass the Philadelphia Flyers for 4th in the Eastern Conference.
It was all San Jose in the early going but Craig Anderson was able to weather the storm, making a number of spectacular stops. Winchester scored to get the Sharks on the board first but this game could have easily been 4-0 half way through the first period if not for Anderson.
The Sens responded well to the play of Anderson, tying the game on a goal by Kyle Turris.
Early in the second, it was Turris again, leading an odd man rush and setting up Erik Karlsson for his seventh of the season. After an ugly kneeing incident involving Jamie McGinn and Jason Spezza, the Sens went to the power play and made the Sharks pay. Greening ripped a shot high, short side to give Ottawa a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame.
Colin Greening buried his second of the game midway through the third period and put this one to bed. The Sharks dominated on the shot clock (36-19) but as has so often been the case lately, Craig Anderson stood on his head. Third star two weeks ago, first star last week and now has to be a favourite for player of the month.
He has been huge during the Sens during a mind boggling 13-2-2 run.
Two goal night for Greening giving him 11 on the season, Two points for Turris bringing him to 13 on the year and two more assist for Spezza raising his point total to 50 on the season.
The Sens have now won five straight on the road and have not lost in regulation in their last 11 away from SBP. Another tough test lined up Saturday afternoon as the Senators visit the surging Anaheim Ducks.
- Couple of scary injuries for the Senators in this one. In the first period, Kapars Daugavins blocked a Brent Burns point shot and despite finishing the shift, did not return. Then in the second period, Zack Smith and Brad Winchester accidentally collided with Smith taking the worst of it. Looked a little wobbly going off and was kept out for precautionary reasons. Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson were both banged up in the third but did return. Will have to wait until tomorrow to get updates on the two injured forwards but it certainly looks like Andre Petersson will get a chance on Saturday.
- Solid debut for defenceman Mark "BoroCop" Borowiecki. He looked comfortable in his 11:28 of ice time. Had a couple of a solid hits and drew a penalty in the first period.
- The Sportsnet crew touched on the possibility of Ales Hemsky as a guy the Sens could look at leading up to the deadline. He is a guy with all the skill in the world that just hasn't been able to get it going this season. Certainly seems to fit the bill of a top six forward but not someone the Sens should pay a premium for.
