The Ottawa Senators knew they were going to be in tough on Thursday night in Boston.
The Bruins picked up the extra point in the overtime session but you have to give the Senators credit. They showed that even without their most talented players, they could hang with one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference.
Patrice Bergeron was credited with the overtime winner as a shot trickled through the legs and just over the goal line behind Robin Lehner. While Lehner would likely want another try at the shot that ended this one, the Sens don't come away with a point if not for the play of Lehner.
He stopped 40 of 41 shots through regulation and helped them steal a point in a tough building to play in. Lehner was named the game's first star.
All in all, this was an effort the Senators can be proud of.
After a sluggish opening twenty minutes where neither team could get much going, both teams seemed to find their legs to start the second period.
Ottawa had a couple chances early in the middle frame that seemed to coincide with some line juggling by Paul MacLean. The Bruins would strike first though as Nathan Horton fanned on a shot that found a way past Lehner, who had overcommitted to the original shot by Horton. The replay seemed to show that Alfredsson actually knocked the stick of Lehner out of the way. Either way, a weird goal.
The Sens would draw even though as Jim O'Brien buried his 5th of the season in a wild goal-mouth scramble. The play was set up by an amazing stretch pass by Patrick Wiercioch to spring Daugavins on the breakaway.
Through the third period and the overtime session, both Lehner and Rask made a couple of big stops to keep the game deadlocked through 60 minutes.
The Senators are on the ice for practice today at 12:00 PM in Philly continue the road trip on Saturday afternoon against Claude Giroux and the Philadelphia Flyers.
- By the end of the night, Peter Regin had found his way onto the top line with Alfredsson and Silfverberg and looked decent in that role. Turris was playing on a line with Condra and Greening. Should be interesting to see what MacLean does with the lines on Saturday in Philly.
- Scrappy road effort from the Sens but one area where they absolutely have to be better is in the faceoff circle. The Bruins dominated that part of the game all night, winning 65% of the draws. A long bright spot in the circle was Jim O'Brien who went 7 for 8.
- Craig Anderson, who has skated the past few days, is expected to address the media for the first time in Philadelphia this afternoon. Certainly doesn't sound like Anderson will be out for much longer.
