Coming into this game you had to know the goalies were going to be a factor in the outcome.
With both teams icing line ups that are challenged offensively, it was pretty clear this was a game where goals were going to be hard to come by. Add in Vokoun and Anderson both playing some of their best hockey the last little while and the game was exactly what we should have expected.
While he had his shutout bid busted late, it was another terrific outing from Craig Anderson.
Starting for the 9th straight game, Anderson was his usual reliable self. He wasn't tested a whole lot in the first 20 minutes but made a handful of key saves in the middle frame and completely shut the door in the third period. The one goal that did get by him looked like it went off the stick of a Sens defenceman at the side of the net.
All the Sens offence came from young defenceman Erik Karlsson. The kid hasn't been quite the same since the NHL's All Star Break but this was clearly his best game in the second half. Karlsson was a threat in the offensive zone all night long and notched his 10th and 11th of the season. He finished the game with 10 shots on goal.
Solid outing from Ryan Shannon as well who registered 5 shots in more than 17 minutes of ice time.
Early in the third period, Sens tough guy Francis Lessard was ejected from the game for what looked like a clean hit. This was clearly a case of the officials being on edge after the Chara incident the other day. If I hear that there is a suspension on that play I think I will have officially lost faith in the NHL's disciplinary system.
The call on the ice was a five minute major for charging with the officials saying Lessard left his feet.
A warm welcome to everyone that has found their way to the new site! The transition was a little bumpy but I think most people have arrived with the exception of a few stragglers. I've said it before but I strongly encourage you to register for the site. Makes commenting a lot easier and provides access to some other features, including entry into a ticket draw next week.
Still some wrinkles to iron out as we move forward so please don't hesitate to provide feedback or ask questions.
