Ottawa Senators Fall 2 – 1 in Preseason match vs. Winnipeg

The Senators defensive folies aren’t gone just yet, at least if Tuesday night’s preseason game told us anything. Erik Karlsson and Marc Methot were held out of the lineup, leaning on Patrick Wiercioch and Jared Cowen to be the team’s top pairing.

GAME RECAPS

The game got off to a slow, sloppy start for Ottawa. Ottawa failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities and power-plays, while Winnipeg put up two early on from Jim Slater and Nikolaj Ehlers.

Dominating the play most of the way through was Winnipeg, who took advantage of multiple defensive collapses coming from the Senators. Jared Cowen and Patrick Wiercioch both had their fair share with the unit as a whole being rather un-impressive.

Ottawa’s only goal came from Buddy Robinson in the second with a slick move past Winnipeg Jets goaltender, Ondrej Pavalec. Craig Anderson kept it close the rest of the way though and Winnipeg held Ottawa to just the single. Robin Lehner allowed the first goal by Jim Slater but passed the duties over to Craig Anderson after the first as he went off with a precautionary hand inflammation injury.

2 – 1 was the final from MTS centre in a sloppy, poorly played game for the Senators.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

• Patrick Wiercioch didn’t have his best outing.
• We saw why some fans get on Jared Cowen’s case.
• Alex Chiasson was a force in the game and handled the puck well.
• Pageau showed us why he’s still a legitimate prospect and a future NHL candidate, while playing on a line with David Dziurzynski and Chris Neil.
• Craig Anderson had a solid game, as did Robin Lehner. Both showing quickness in their respective games.
• This was a preseason squad missing Kyle Turris, Clarke MacArthur, Bobby Ryan, Marc Methot, and Erik Karlsson.

UP NEXT:

The Sens wrap up their preseason this weekend with two games against Montreal. They look to take down the Habs Friday in Ottawa, and Saturday in Montreal.