Heading into last night’s match up between the Buffalo Sabres and the Washington Capitals, fans of the Ottawa Senators had one simple request- no three point game. That request was granted.
The red hot Sabres continued their recent surge up the Eastern Conference standings and grabbed the eighth spot with a convincing 5-1 win over the Capitals bumping Washington to ninth place in the process. All three teams have five games to play.
While it was a neutral result involving the teams behind them, the teams Ottawa is hoping to chase down all picked up important wins. The Bruins beat the Lightning to extend the division lead to five points with a game in hand. It would take a special run for the Sens to chase down the division title.
The sixth place New Jersey Devils also picked up a big two points against the Chicago Blackhawks. Jersey has a four point lead over the Senators with the same number of games played. The two teams will play each other to close out the season and when you consider the Sens hold the tiebreaker over the Devils, a switch between the six and seven teams is still not out of the question.
Here is how the standings look after last night’s action.
Bruins 93 (6)- WSH, @Nyi, @Nyr, PIT, @Ott, BUF
Panthers 89 (6)-@Min, @Clb, @Det, WPG, @Wsh, CAR
Devils 92 (5)- TBL, @Car, NYI, @Det, OTT
Senators 88 (5)- @Phi, @Nyi, CAR, BOS, @Nj
Sabres 86 (5)- PIT, @Tor, TOR, @Phi, @Bos
Capitals 84 (5)- @Bos, MTL, @Tbl, FLA, @Nyr
Very Western Conference heavy night in the NHL tonight with just the Rangers and Jets in action in the East. The Senators will return to the practice ice at 11:00 AM today at the Bell SensPlex.
- With some speculation that Ben Bishop could miss more than the two weeks initially reported, there is a chance the Sens may have to entertain the idea of calling up Robin Lehner. With a light schedule this week, they are in no hurry to use up one of their four post-deadline call ups until they know exactly how long Bishop will be sidelined for.
- Big night for Sens prospect Stefan Noesen last night in OHL playoff action as he racked up two goals and three assists in a 7-1 Plymouth Whalers win. The Whalers trail the Guelph Storm two games to one. Mark Stone had a goal and an assist and now has five points through four games. Brandon leads their series 3-1.
- Toronto Star writer Damien Cox has weighed in on the Norris Trophy race and says that he puts Dan Girardi ahead of Erik Karlsson. With all due respect to Dan Girardi, are you freaking kidding me?! You can let Mr. Cox know what you think on Twitter @DamoSpin. While we are on the award subject, Jason Spezza was getting some Hart Trophy love from TSN.ca yesterday. Check it out.
- There is a movement that started on HFBoards to have a tribute to Alfie at the next Sens home game. The idea suggests a countdown from 10 beginning at 11:11 of each period followed by an "Alfie" chant at the 11:00 minute mark or simply an Alfie chant that starts at 11:11 of each period. Cool concept and one I hope takes off.
