Ducks Hunt

The Ottawa Senators blew their chance at revenge over the Ducks, allowing them to capitalize on some ugly play in the defensive zone in the first period. Unable to sustain pressure throughout the game, the stats sheet looks better for Ottawa than it should. Shoutout to the PK squad, killing off all 5 Anaheim power plays, including 6 minutes of PK time in a short span near the end of the second period.

This guy did not play well tonight. That needs to change. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Game Recap

1st period:

Ottawa plays like hot garbage to start the game. Anaheim plays a solid neutral zone game, containing Ottawa’s breakout attempts. Patrick Maroon takes a pass in the slot from Corey Perry and throws the puck on net. Marc Methot unfortunately gets his stick on it, and tips it past starting goaltender Craig Anderson. Anaheim scores again, after Maroon forces a turnover from Erik Karlsson behind the Ottawa net. The puck slips out to the front of the net, with Perry getting a whack at it before Ryan Getzlaf comes in to put it away. Ottawa does not look good whatsoever at the end of 1, despite only being outshot 10-7.

2nd period:

Ottawa continues the sloppy play, still unable to make a proper  breakout pass. Mika Zibanejad draws a penalty on Saku Koivu. On the ensuing power play, Mika takes a pass from Phillips and rips it by Frederik Andersen.  Over the next 7 minutes of game time, Ottawa kills off 6 minutes of Anaheim power plays.

3rd period:

Ottawa starts to put some pressure on Anaheim, but are unable to do anything with it. Bobby Ryan can’t score, despite a couple of really nice chances against his former team. Ottawa somehow makes an ugly game look nice on the scoresheet.

Notes & Observations:

• Chris Neil can’t keep taking stupid penalties like this and continue to play. Sure, his penalty in the first was a terrible call. But then to cross check a guy in the face right after your team scores a goal? Come on, man.
• Erik Karlsson played like a rookie. That shouldn’t happen anymore, but it’s happening a lot this year. We need this guy to get healthy.
• Mika Zibanejad had a good game, and finished the game playing first line minutes on Jason Spezza’s wing.
• Milan? Milan? Milan? Has anyone seen Milan Michalek? For a first line winger, he hasn’t shown up at all this season. Unacceptable.
• Clarke MacArthur and Bobby Ryan each had 4 shots. The goals will come for this line, they just need to keep playing the way the are.
• Kyle Turris is still a monster. This is the guy Bryan Murray wanted when he traded David Rundblad and a 2nd round pick for him.
• In the return we’ve all been waiting for since July, Jakob Silfverberg was held pointless in his first trip to Ottawa in a new sweater.

Senshot Player of the Game:

This one was much easier- Mika Zibanejad. I still don’t know why this guy was sent down to Binghamton to start the season. He’s clearly one of the top forwards on the team. Puts himself in great position to make a play with the puck. And did you see that slap shot? Andersen didn’t. He needs to keep playing like this.

Up Next:

Scary times ahead for the Senators, with the league leading San Jose Sharks coming to town on Sunday, followed by a trip to see the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Ottawa needs to tighten things up if they want to get some points before November.