Ottawa Senators Hold Off Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3

The Ottawa Senators hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs as both teams fan base’s have wished for more from their respective teams. However, the Senators will gladly take the rewards in their victory.

GAME RECAP

Ottawa had a very impressive first period as the Senators got onto the board quick at the 2:02 mark Mike Hoffman continued his scoring ways by picking up his 16th goal of the season. The goal was started by a beautiful pass from Cody Ceci to Mark Stone. Mark Stone hit Hoffman in stride who then lasered his shot past James Reimer.

At the 11:53 mark saw an amazing passing display between Erik Karlsson and Mike Hoffman. Karlsson passed to Hoffman who then passed the puck back to Karlsson who buried his 10th goal of the season.  Frustration seemed to get to Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf slew footed Milan Michalek at the 13:49 mark as the duo then engaged in a small fight.

The Senators tacked on one more goal very late in the period. At 19:40 Mika Zibanejad buried a goal off a crisp pass from Bobby Ryan. Ryan looked amazing weaving through the Leafs defense. Senators outshot the leafs 12-9 in the period and emerged with a 3-0 lead.

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The second period was quite different than the first as they were outshot 14-8 as goalie Craig Anderson saved 13 of 14 shots in the period. The Leafs goal came midway through the period at the 13:55 mark when David Clarkson took a backhand whack at a rolling puck and it found the twine. Cody Franson and Daniel Winnik picked up assists on the goal. The second ended with the Senators leading 3-1.

The third opened up with Alex Chiasson taking a high sticking penalty against Daniel Winnik as Toronto would capitalize on the resulting power play. Nazem Kadri scored his 13th goal of the season with assists going to Morgan Riley and Jake Gardiner. It looked as if this was going to be another game that was going to get away from the Senators.  Fortunately the Senators team captain notched another goal at the 15:20 mark.

Karlsson scored a goal off assists from Milan Michalek and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The Senators now possessed a 4-2 lead.  At the 18:26 mark the Leafs pulled their goalie. Phil Kessel put a low shot on net which resulted in a juicy rebound. James Van-Riemsdyk put the rebound home and the game was now 4-3 in favour of the Senators.

The Senators were able to withstand a late surge and escaped the game with a regulation win as Toronto  outshot the Senators 17-6 in the period. The Senators were fortunate to come out of this game with a win.

GAME NOTES

• The Senators had an extremely strong first period. The Senators came out of the first period leading 3-0.
• Hoffman continues to score goals and continues to show he is the real deal.
• Anderson provided another amazing performance. Anderson saved 37 of 40 shots.  It helps when your goalie has a save percentage of .925 in a game.
• Karlsson looked like the “all-star” with his two goals this evening.
• The Senators were outshot 40-26 on the game. That is certainly not good. The play of Craig Anderson was a difference maker.
• Phaneuf… I feel bad for the guy. He looks frustrated on the ice. His dirty play against Michalek was evidence. Toronto’s struggles are not all Phaneuf’s fault. It is unfair to blame him for their poor play.

UP NEXT

All NHL teams are entering the All Star break as both Ryan and Hoffman will be attending. The Senators return to regular season action on the 29th of January against the Dallas Stars and currently sit 9 points out of the 8th and final playoff spot.