After an ugly loss in Buffalo just 24 hours ago, it looked like the Sens were ripe for the picking against the rival Maple Leafs.
Well that's not the way the Senators saw it. Ottawa dominated the special teams game, got a solid effort from Craig Anderson and scored a much needed 5-2 win at the ACC in Toronto.
Anderson got the hook early last night in Buffalo but Paul MacLean went right back to him in a big Saturday night contest. Anderson was up to the challenge. He stopped 31 of 33 Leaf attempts and was strong in the third period when the Leafs tried to get back in the game.
This really was a hard-working, textbook road game by the Sens in which the often unheralded supporting cast carried the Sens to victory. After an ugly first period, Ottawa was able to find their legs over the final forty and pick up an important two points.
Nick Foligno scored a couple, including a power play goal to give the Sens the lead for the first time. Meanwhile, Zack Smith played what had to be his best game as a Senators. He picked up a goal and an assist (now has 9 points on the year) and was a force on the PK. Finished with 16:20 in ice time and had a +2 rating.
Also got some serious praise from Don Cherry post-game.
Nice game for Jesse Winchester too. Played 14:53 and actually took the spot of Stephane Da Costa on the team's second line during the third period. Clearly MacLean wanted to go with a more defensively responsible player with the team up a couple goals.
Tonight's win snaps the Sens five game losing streak and ensures that they will head to the West Coast on a high note. Ottawa takes on Calgary on Tuesday and visit the Oilers on Thursday.
