San Jose Sharks Defeat Ottawa Senators 5-2

The Ottawa Senators once again chased the game as they trailed The San Jose Sharks early. It’s no secret that scoring first is huge in hockey and The Sens have failed to score first yet again in this one which proved costly as The Sharks refused to let The Senators back in it.

Oct 27, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) makes a save on a shot from San Jose Sharks POS NAME centre Tomas Hertl (48) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Game Recap:

1st: For the second time this season it was rookie sensation, Tomas Hurtle breaking the ice inside the first 2 minutes of the game. Hurtle received a broken pass form James Sheppard and knocked the bouncing puck by Craig Anderson. The Sharks didn’t stop their, Andrew Desjardins scored off of a similar broken play, sweeping an arrant pass backhand past Anderson to put the Sharks up 2. Erik Karlsson cut into the lead doing nearly all of the work in the offensive zone and capping it off with a nice one timer. Cory Conacher provided another perfect screen on the play. When it seemed like a great opportunity to tie the game, The Sharks scored a short handed goal provided by Tommy Wingels. Wingles, great last name and all had a 2 foot tap in as the result of a Logan Couture breakaway. The period ended 3-1 Sharks.

2nd: Erik Karlsson again did most of the work on a delayed San Jose penalty feeding his d partner (for now) Marc Methot who notched his 1st of the year on a one timer. The Senators played a much better 20 minutes of hockey and trailed by just 1 at 3-2.

3rd: Erik Condra committed an awful turnover that took all the wind out of the sails and allowed Joe Thornton to set up Sheppard for his second point of the game. Joe Pavelski, who had been lingering all game was rewarded with the dagger goal to cap off The Sharks 5-2 victory on the road.

Notes and Observations:

• Milan Michalek who? Michalek was once again virtually invisible in this one. In the last 82 game season Michalek scored 35 goals and was leading the NHL in scoring before going down that year. Milan never returned to even close to the same player and seems to be progressing in a downward direction since.
• Line Juggling was again a constant. Chemistry in hockey is sometimes either their or not but it certainly doesn’t hurt if you’re playing with the same linemates over a stretch. Paul Maclean doesn’t believe in keeping anything the same.
• EK form. For maybe the first time this season Karlsson looked like the Karlsson before the achilles injury.
• Bobby Ryan had a rather uneventful night, didn’t see a whole lot of Ryan.
• The fighting spirit of the #pesky Sens has just not been their this season. The Senators just seem to turtle when being down late as opposed to keeping the pressure on, I guess accepting a loss against The Sharks is ok with them.
• Craig Anderson didn’t appear ready for this one as all of the first 3 San Jose Goals seemed very preventable and stoppable.

Senshot player of the game: 

Easy choice is Erik Karlsson, his skating ability appears to have another gear, a gear that matches the same gear he reached prior to his injury. If Karlsson can play the game he played against The Sharks then he will once again stand on a planet of his own among defensemen.

Up Next:

It’s always challenging writing a post game that releases so much negative energy but if The Senators don’t start winning games soon then it might not be too late too hit the panic button. What better way to turn it around then beat The Chicago Blackhawks in their own building. Tuesday The Senators will be more than happy to move on from an October to forget.