Ottawa Senators Squeeze By New Jersey Devils 2-1

When this game started you kind of had that feeling that this might be a clinic by the New Jersey Devils, due to the fact that the Ottawa Senators lineup is so depleted.  Also after the 2nd period it looked like Ben Bishop, who saved 30 of 31 shots, might encounter another 1-0 loss.  Once the 3rd period started the Sens started to create much more offensively than they did the first 2 periods and completely changed the game.  It took about two and a half periods for Ottawa to solve Martin Brodeur who saved 29 of 30 shots.

Feb 18, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing

(11) and New Jersey Devils right wing

(9) skate for the puck during the second period at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP

The game didn’t start off too well for the Ottawa Senators as Stephen Gionta opened the scoring on the second shot of the game.  Gionta scored on a rebound from a shot Steve Bernier directed at Bishop.  The tall goaltender kept Ottawa within stricking distance the whole game and that helped Ottawa get the two points as the captain Daniel Afredsson, after multiple chances during the game, equaled the game at one.  The play started to develop when Kyle Turris kept the play alive by banking it over to Jakob Silfverberg who then found Alfredsson who waited out Brodeur and backhanded it into the net.

Later on near the end of the third period at the 19:47 to be specific the Sens and Devils manged to create nine penalties, which gave the Sens a late power play which was extended into overtime.  Nothing was created from it though which meant we were off to a shootout.

For the shootout the Sens sent out Alfredsson and Silfverberg, which is all the Sens needed. Ilya Kovalchuk broke in and shot way high and wide, looking like he might be looking for a field goal rather than hitting the net.  The next shooter was Alfredsson who came in and rang it off the post.  The Devils were hoping for a better result from Patrik Elias.  He did have a more accurate shot but basically shot right at Bishop.  Silfverberg was the next shooter and put his release in full display as he came in and completely shocked Brodeur with the quickness of his release as he picked the top corner.  New Jersey were hoping Bobby Butler would equal the score in the shootout against his old team but shot wide.  The final score was 2-1 in shootout with Ottawa having the only goal in the skills competition.

OBSERVTIONS

• Once again it showed that Ottawa was in desperate need of impact players, as they had a really hard time creating quality scoring chances.  But thanks largely to Ben Bishop the Sens managed to win this game.
• The power play manged to cycle the puck quite well and got some good shots towards Martin Brodeur but still didn’t score once again.  Since the departure of Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson due to injury the Sens have created next to nothing with the extra man.
•  Since Ottawa recalled the trio of players, they have played decent hockey since then. Most notably, Eric Gryba has played quite well in the past two game.  Today the coach made the decision to bench Mika Zibanejad in favor of Colin Greening who was benched versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.
• Even though Daniel Alfredsson is now 40 years old he continues to show everyone that he can still play and keep up with everyone.  He had many chances today and scored the only goal.

SENSHOT’S PLAYER OF THE GAME

Ben Bishop won this game for the Ottawa Senators.  If it  wasn’t for him I believe the Sens would not be walking away with two points or even 1 point for the matter.  He almost single handedly got the full two points.  As mentioned above he saved 30 of 31 shots.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME 

1. Ben Bishop (31 saves)
2. Martin Brodeur (30 saves)
3. Daniel Alfredsson (1 goal)

UP NEXT

The Senators will travel back home tonight to face the New York Islander’s tomorrow night. Who were embarrassed at home by the Philadelphia Flyers today in a afternoon affair. They were shutout 7-0, Claude Giroux was named the first star of the game.   The game will start at 7:30 P.M at Scotiabank Place.