Game Report: Hurricanes Blow Away Senators 7 – 1
Your Ottawa Senators went into Carolina Wednesday night and got ran over by a determined Eric Staal and co. With a 7 – 1 final, Ottawa has now lost three of their last four games and have been outscored 18 – 6 in that stretch. Their four-game winning streak that pushed them up the Eastern Conference standings has been erased as the Sens find themselves in the lower half of the conference battling to stay in the top eight.
Here are the few positives from the game.
Your captain Daniel Alfredsson was one of the few Sens that showed up to play the game. He show consistent effort and was the only Sen to beat Cam Ward on the night. Alfie’s eighth goal of the season was also his fifth powerplay goal on the year which ties him for third in the league in that department.
Jesse Winchester was the other Sen who cared to play Wednesday night and was rewarded for his hard work with increased playing time. Coach Clouston gave Winchester over two more minutes of playing time as he outplayed a few of the players on the top lines. It was also good to see Winchester jump right in to defend Alfie after Eric Staal took a run at our captain.
In a 7 – 1 game, there are many reasons why the team lost. Here are the major no-no’s from the game.
The defence was just plain terrible Wednesday night. It gave neither goaltender any support as Carolina had chance after chance, especially in the first period where the Sens were out-shot 16 – 5. With numerous breakaways and second chances, Ottawa’s tenders would’ve had to be superhuman just to keep Ottawa in the game. Here’s a tip for the defence, next time Eric Staal steps on the ice, cover the man as he is a beast.
The powerplay is starting to become a joke. At first, when Ottawa was clicking, letting a short-handed breakaway on the PP was OK. But since the PP has gone missing, teams probably want to get on the penalty kill as they know we give up one or two short-handed breakaways each game. It cost us in Philly, and almost cost us again in Carolina.
Goal-tending was an issue Wednesday night as neither tender looked good. Brain Elliott was left to fend for himself in the first as the Canes peppered him with 16 shots before the game was 17 minutes old. Allowing four goals on 16 shots, Elliott only had a chance on the first Staal goal as it was a bit weak.
Pascal Leclaire came in and played well for a period and a bit, but then in the third, Happy Feet allowed three goals on six shots. For a guy trying to earn some playing time, Leclaire did himself no favours Wednesday night.
A lot of line juggling occurred Wednesday night as Clouston tried to find any chemistry from his lines. A few players such as Milan Michalek, Mike Fisher and Erik Karlsson had their playing time reduced, while Matt Carkner and Jarko Ruutu saw more ice time with their steady play.
Eric Staal was a beast once again against Ottawa. Not only did he turn the trick, but he also added two assists for five points on the night. Combined with his two points from the last meeting, Staal already has seven points against the Sens in just two games this season.
***Three Stars***
First Star: Eric Staal – earns it with the trick and five points overall.
Second Star: Chad Larose – earns it with two goals and a four point performance.
Third Star: Cam Ward – for stopping 23 shots and killing any Senator momentum.
Ottawa plays their last game of this four-game road trip in St. Louis Friday night. With the Blues struggling of late, this is a winnable game where Ottawa can end this road trip going .500. ‘Til next time, GO SENS GO!!!!!
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