Game Report: Ottawa Can’t Escape the Rock, Fall 2-1 in NJ

Your Ottawa Senators took on the New Jersey Devils last night amidst a major snowstorm that wrecked havoc over most of North America. With only a few thousand on hand to watch the game live, Ottawa was lucky that not too many people saw their embarrassing effort they put forward. And I am sure many turned the channel at home after two periods and with the Sens having only registered six shots. With their seventh loss in a row, and their 13th out of their last 14 games, Ottawa now only sits five points out of the NHL basement.

The only positive from this game was the play of rookie goalie Robin Lehner. Making 31 saves, Lehner was the only reason the Sens were even in this game. Making many game-saving saves, Lehner showed fight that we haven’t seen from a goalie in a long time. In this horrible season, Lehner has been the only hope that the future may be better. All Lehner needs is a good old fashioned goalie fight and the legend of Lehner will be set.

There were too many negatives from this game and just like the play of the Devils, it’ll put you to sleep to list them all. From defence to offense, coaching to effort, the Sens look like they are just going through the motions. The most embarrassing stat of the night, the shot count. With two, four, and ten shots in period one to three respectively, Ottawa plain sucked last night.

Here are the game highlights courtesy of NHL.com. (warning: only watch if you want to see Lehner make save after save and the rest of the team just standing around watching)

***Three Stars***

First Star: Robin Lehner – made 31 saves and kept the Sens from being embarrassed. With his solid play, Lehner deserves the start tonight versus Detroit.

Second Star: Alex Kovalev– for netting the only Senator goal and playing a team-forward high in ice time with 19:19 minutes on the ice. Hopefully Kovi can produce a little bit more in the next few weeks and we can trade him to a desperate team at the trade deadline. Fingers crossed.

Third Star: Peter Regin– for playing almost 19 minutes of ice time, up six minutes from his usually time. Hopefully Regin can make a second half charge and capture the magic he had in last years playoffs.

With the Sens having to fly back to Ottawa during this huge snowstorm, they may get in late and be a little jet-legged for the game tonight. And with Detroit already in Ottawa waiting for the Sens, Ottawa will be behind the eight-ball in their own barn tonight. Lehner deserves the start tonight with his stellar play last night, and Coach Clouston relayed those feelings in a post game interview last night. If he gets the start, hopefully the rest of the team can take his lead and have some pride in their game.

It doesn’t look good for Ottawa to end their seven-game losing streak tonight. The best they can hope for is not to be embarrassed in front of their home fans tonight, but I don’t see the game being fun from an Ottawa fan perpective. What’s the saying, ‘the night is darkest before the dawn,’ I sure hope so. ‘Til next time, GO SENS GO!!!!!

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