Ottawa Senators Head To The Holiday Break On A Losing Note 2-1 In Washington
The Ottawa Senators were looking to head to the Holiday break on a winning note but the Washington Capitals had other plans. A strong, first-star worthy effort from Capitals’ goalie Braden Holtby kept the Ottawa Senators at bay. Helping the Washington Capitals snap their seven game losing streak against the Ottawa Senators, dating back to December 6th, 2011.
GAME RECAP
The Ottawa Senators were hit with an early wave of Alexander Ovechkin to start the game. The Senators had trouble handling the Russian superstar early on but two penalties committed by the Caps helped ease the early effort. The Senators found themselves scoreless through the first half of the first period as they went zero for two on the power play. Proof of their continuing power play struggles as of late.
It didn’t help either that Holtby was on fire to start the game in robbing a slumping Clarke MacArthur with his glove. A shift in momentum occurred in the second half of the first, as the Ottawa Senators committed three straight penalties, offering the Capitals some opportune chances to take the lead. The Caps seemed to have struggle as well, as they went zero for three on their power play.
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Fast forward to six minutes left in the second period and Washington opens up the scoring. A board glass, bank pass from Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov finds its way to Jay Beagle heading down the ice. Fighting off Senators’ defensemen, Jared Cowen, Jay Beagle handles the puck with ease in winning the inside position on the play and getting just enough on the shot to get the puck past by Craig Anderson‘s left pad, 1-0 Washington.
Just two minutes later Ottawa Senators’ forward Erik Condra answers the call. Streaking by the blue line, Condra finds himself robbing the puck from defenceman Mike Green as he heads up the ice. Erik going the other way finds himself alone with Holtby resulting on a quick wrist shot through the five hole and Condra scores his third goal of the season, 1-1 game.
An Eric Gryba holding call on Ovechkin with under two minutes left would hurt the Ottawa’s chances going into the third period. A power play opportunity would then lead the Capitals’ center, Niklas Backstrom to his eleventh goal of the season. A shot from inside the face-off circle would find its way through the left shoulder of Anderson. 2-1 Washington Capitals.
Not much to say about the third period as the closest the Senators came from tying the game did not happen until the final two minutes. With Anderson pulled for the extra attacker, the Senators still couldn’t manage to tie the game. Shots from Bobby Ryan and Erik Karlsson couldn’t get by the wall of defencemen set up by Washington killing Ottawa’s chances of at least stealing a point.
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS
- Patrick Wiercioch managed to play well with Erik Karlsson, made the simple plays he was asked for and provided some help when needed. A great upgrade from Chris Phillips or Mark Borowiecki along side Erik Karlsson.
- Patrick Wiercioch finished the night with a 59% Corsi For in 5v5 play. (+20/-14)
- Erik Condra should never be scratched. Even if he doesn’t score, his possession numbers and special teams play is valuable to the depth of this team.
- Mika Zibanejad should shoot more, it’s a part of his natural game.
- Craig Anderson even though he didn’t face a lot of shots, he was still on his game.
The team overall looks more calm and collected as Dave Cameron as head coach.
Game Flow Chart (All Situations) by Naturalstattrick.com
NEXT GAME
The Ottawa Senators are back in action this Saturday at the Canadian Tire Center against divisional rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. 7pm Eastern Time puck drop.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Senshot.com. Will leave you with this wonderful photo by Bonksmullet.com contributor Matty Jingle Sens (@Gerv_ Rebrand)