Your Ottawa Senators defeated the Los Angeles Kings Monday night to snap their three-game losing skid. This game had many questions going into action last night. Would Kovalev get his 1,000th career NHL point? Would Leclaire win his first game of the season? How would Karlsson sitting out the game affect the defence? Would the Sens allow less then five goals? Winning the game 3 – 2, how many of these questions would be answered?
With his sixth goal of the season, Alex Kovalev got his 1,000th career NHL point in style. Jumping on a blocked shot that came into the slot, Kovi loaded up his slap-shot, broke his stick and blasted the puck by LA goalie Quick. Becoming only the third Russian and 76th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career NHL points, Kovi also added an assist on the game winner for his 1,001th point.
With a 3 – 2 win, obviously the Sens did not allow five goals in the game. The reason for that was Pascal Leclaire. Starting his 5th game of the season, Pascal Leclaire finally got his first win of the campaign. ‘Happy Feet’stopped 28 shots and battled all night to keep the Sens in the game. This strong outing seems to have given Leclaire confidence and it will be interesting to see if Clouston will give him the next start versus Dallas.
Jason Spezza had an up and down game. Spezza had a brutal giveaway in the first period to directly cause the Kings first goal. But then he worked his way back and scored the game winner on an amazing individual effort.
Milan Michalek playing in his 400th NHL career game, broke out of his seven game goal-less streak to notch his 5th of the year. Hopefully this goal gets Milan going and he begins to produce more.
Daniel Alfredsson continues to prove he is the leader of this team as he leads all forwards in ice time, goals, assists and points. Alfie got the Sens back in the game with his hustle as he stole the puck and step up Michalek for the game-tying goal.
Congrats to Jarko Ruutu and Chris Neil for suiting up for their 600th career NHL game Monday night. Neil celebrated the game with a beat down of LA’s Kevin Westgarth. And props to Chris Campoli for getting in his second fight of the year as he took on Ryan Symth after he gave Kovalev a cheap shot. Love to see him stand up for his teammates.
Here are the game highlights courtesy of NHL.com.
***Three Stars***
First Star: Alex Kovalev – earns it with two points and for notching his 1,000th career NHL point.
Second Star: Jason Spezza – earns it for making up for his early mistake and netting the winner.
Third Star: Daniel Alfredsson– earns it with his hustle and effort and an assist.
Up next for Ottawa is the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Place. Dallas comes to town off a 4 – 1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and on a two game skid. With the Stars having lost five of their last seven games, this is a winnable game for Ottawa. ‘Til next time, GO SENS GO!!!!!
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