Game 4 Recap – Kyle Turris OT Hero In Sens Comeback
By Kevin Lee
Pre-Game Warmup
The Ottawa Senators looked to solve Henrik Lundqvist and the New York Rangers after being shut out in Game 3. Carl Hagelin would both be out serving the suspension resulting from Game 2 that has kept Daniel Alfredsson out of this series as well. However, Matt Carkner would make his way back into the lineup replacing Matt Girloy. Craig Anderson would get the nod in net for the Sens.
The First Period
This period began as a total disaster for Ottawa. After focusing on the PP in practice it was there PK that killed them. An early penalty to Zack Smith put the Rangers on the powerplay and Anton Stralman would get his 2nd of the series just 49 seconds into the period. After an Erik Karlsson trip, the Rangers would get their 2nd powerplay and make it count. Ryan Callahan would pot one to give the Rangers a commanding 2-0 lead with just 6:10 elapsed. Ottawa would calm down afterwards and mount some pressure on New York, but would be unable to solve Lundqvist. 2-0 Rangers after one and the home crowd almost felt like this hole would be too deep to get out of after failing to get a single goal the previous game.
The Second Period
The Sens would bring in to New York in the second controlling the majority of the period and it would eventually pay off. Matt Carkner coming out of the box would make a beautiful feed to Milan Michalek in the Rangers zone who would backhand one past Lundqvist to make it a one goal game at 7:04. That really got the crowd back into it and momentum going for Ottawa, it only felt like a matter of time before they would score. On a powerplay late in the period, Jason Spezza would be the recipient of a Marc Staal high hit which would go unpenalized. However, the Sens would still score at 17:50 on a Sergei Gonchar slapshot that would find its way through Lundqvist. After two, the game would be tied 2-2 with all momentum on Ottawa’s side.
The Third Period
The third period would feature numerous chances for both teams. Nick Foligno risked being the goat though, taking the only two minor penalties in the period. However, both goalies would stand tall, meaning OT would be required for the second time this series.
OT
After suriving a flurry of New York chances, Jim O’Brien would bring the puck into the Rangers zone and make a perfect drop pass to Kyle Turris who would wrist it top corner on Lundqvist. With that goal the crowd went wild with the series tied at 2 going back to the Big Apple.
+ Pluses +
+ Matt Carkner: Played an extremely solid game and provided the key assist on the first Ottawa goal. The Sens are now 2-0 when Carkner plays.
+ Jesse Winchester: Stopped the puck before it could cross the goal line after it got through Anderson in the second period. Got injured unfortunately, but prevented what could have been a game changing goal.
– Minuses –
– Filip Kuba: Not his strongest game, was responsible for the Rangers second goal after a weak backhand dump attempt that didn’t get out.
Game Highlights
Will Post When Available
*** Senshot’s Three Stars ***
* Kyle Turris: 1G 0A – Got the OT winner making him a hero in Ottawa.
** Craig Anderson: 31/33 – After letting in two goals early he kept the door shut giving the Sens the opportunity to comeback.
*** Brad Richards: 0G 2A – Was a threat all night for New York and played like the star player he is.
Final Thoughts
The Sens showed great resiliency tonight overcoming a 2 goal deficit against a team that had shut them out two nights ago. What a shot by Kyle Turris on the winning goal, it’s amazing how nice it looks when it doesn’t hit the post. Matt Carkner showed that he can play playoff hockey for more than 39 seconds, logging 12:31 tonight. Zenon Konopka has surprisingly not looked out of place either, with MacLean showing a lot of trust in him. Craig Anderson continues to provide Ottawa with solid goaltending, something they have usually lacked in the playoffs. Oddly enough, all the goals scored in this game were on the visitor’s end. With the series tied at 2, all the pressure has to fall on New York come Saturday’s game. Until next time, Go Sens Go!
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