Ceci, Anderson Shine As Ottawa Senators Down Buffalo Sabres 2-1

For the second time in 3 days, the Ottawa Senators and rival Buffalo Sabres played a very tight game, and this time Ottawa hung on for a 2-1 win.  Craig Anderson stole the show in the Ottawa net, and 2012 first round draft pick Cody Ceci made a strong NHL debut to lead the way for the Senators, who have climbed within 3 points of the Maple Leafs for the final wildcard playoff spot.

Dec 12, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) extends a leg to assit goalie Craig Anderson (41) in blocking a shot from Buffalo Sabres right wing Matt D

GAME RECAP

Once again it was set to be a tight game, as most are between these two clubs.  Both goaltenders played well early on, but it was Ottawa that broke the ice just before the midway point of the game, as Bobby Ryan redirected a pass from Kyle Turris into the open side of the net.  Buffalo evened the score when Tyler Ennis was allowed to walk out from behind the net and stuffed it past Anderson late in the first.

Ottawa took the lead in the second, when moments after an ill-advised minor penalty to resident goon John Scott expired.  Ceci knocked down a clearing attempt to keep the pressure on, and it resulted in Zack Smith eventually having an open side and he fired Turris’ pass past Miller.

The third period was all about Anderson, as he made 17 saves, many of them were of the Dominik Hasek variety, to help the Senators gain 2 much needed points.

SENSHOT’S PLAYER OF THE GAME

There hasn’t been many nights this season where a Senators goalie has stolen a game, but on this night Anderson did just that.  He ended up with 40 saves, and although it wasn’t the prettiest effort, he blocked the pucks he needed to block.

UP NEXT

Ottawa returns home to face the red hot L.A. Kings and their rookie sensations in goalie Martin Jones and sniper Tyler Toffoli (a former Ottawa 67’s winger).  This game will be another Saturday afternoon affair, with puck drop set for 2:00 pm.