Senators Back On Track As They Beat Blue Jackets 4-1

The Senators finally manage to hold on to a 2 goal lead, and even add to it to beat the Blue Jackets 4-1.

Nov 5, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie

(40) makes a save on a Columbus Blue Jackets center

(19) shot during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

GAME RECAP

Lots of action right off the bat in this one, as Matt Kassian and Jared Boll dropped the gloves just over two minutes in. There weren’t a whole lot of punches thrown, as the referees were able to interfere before there was a clear winner. Erik Karlsson opened up the scoring 15 minutes in, getting one past Blue Jackets goaltender Curtis McElhinney. Karlsson took the puck up the ice himself, and despite having four Blue Jackets skaters in front of him, managed to get by rookie Ryan Murray, and score top corner.  The Senators would score the next and last goal of the period with only 5 seconds left. Kyle Turris went to the net, and was muscled off the puck by Fedor Tyutin, who then ignored the play by taking Turris to the corner and started to push him around. Bobby Ryan took advantage of the loose puck, taking it around the net and sending a perfect pass to Clarke MacArthur who put it past McElhinney.

The second period started with Mark Borowiecki looking like a freight train. He knocked Derek Mackenzie over with a huge hit, then after being challenged to fight by Mackenzie, knocked down with two punches. There were no goals scored during the period. Robin Lehner continued to have a strong game, stopping all 14 shots in the second period, although none of his saves were quite as spectacular as the ones he made in the first.

The Blue Jackets scored the first goal since the first period to halve the Senators lead. RJ Umberger shoved in a rebound on the powerplay, which looked like the first rebound that Lehner had given up all night. The chances continued to be even for the next 10 minutes. Then with 6 minutes left, Chris Neil scored. I’m dead serious. Look it up. It happened. Jason Spezza got the assist on the goal, so I hope that doesn’t give MacLean any ideas for the next few games. Karlsson scored the final goal of the game, putting the puck in the empty Columbus net to give the Sens a 4-1 lead.

SENSHOT’S PLAYER OF THE GAME

Erik Karlsson is back folks. He’s stopped making the numerous mistakes in the defensive end that he was constantly making to start the season.

THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS

• Kyle Turris has been getting roughed up in the past few games. Teams are starting to realize how dangerous he is, and have been making sure to finish their checks on him. The fact that they’re taking him out of the play may prove to sometimes help the Senators (see Clarke MacArthur’s goal this game), but no one can withstand this much abuse for long.

• If Robin Lehner keeps playing the way he is, Craig Anderson could be fighting for his job back. Lehner may have gotten his first win of the season, but he’s been solid in every appearance he’s made this season.

• Can somebody make sure that Phillips and Gryba aren’t a pairing anymore? Please?

UP NEXT

The Senators take on the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday back home at the Canadian Tire Centre. That would be a huge 2 points if they could manage a win.