For the second time this season, Ottawa spotted the Kings 3 quick goals, but this time a miraculous comeback was not in the cards and despite a comeback attempt the Kings didn’t completely let the Senators back in the game.
Martin Jones won his 5th straight start to begin his career, and the Senators became the first team to score on him more than once, but that is of little consolation after giving up 5 to the Kings.
Dec 14, 2013; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators goalie
Robin Lehner(40) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) in the third period at the Canadian Tire Centre.The Kings defeated the Senators 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
GAME RECAP
Craig Anderson was looking to build on a strong 40 save performance in Thursday’s 2-1 win over the Sabres, but that wasn’t to be. He allowed a goal on the first shot, getting a piece of Dwight King‘s shot but not enough as the Kings opened the scoring just 21 second in. Jeff Carter doubled the lead on the fourth shot less than 4 minutes later, another weak goal allowed by Anderson, and Paul MacLean had seen enough, and in came Robin Lehner. That didn’t do much to stem the tide, and Anze Kopitar beat Lehner to make it 3-0 before the period was 13 minutes old, as the Kings sniper outmuscled Cody Ceci to get to a loose puck and knock it home. It was a rough stretch for the young Ceci and his veteran partner Chris Phillips, as the pair was on the ice for all three LA goals.
The lone goal of the second period came off the stick of Joe Corvo, after Jason Spezza‘s shot was stopped by Jones, Cory Conacher made a nice heel-kick pass while he was being knocked down across the crease to Corvo, who had an open net.
Erik Karlsson gave the Senators a glimmer of hope just before the 5 minute mark of the third, blasting a point shot through traffic past Jones. There would be no repeat of the October comeback, as Jarret Stoll knocked in a rebound after a Drew Doughty rush, and then Anze Kopitar scored on a late power play in the second half of the third to seal the deal and take away any hope of a dramatic comeback in a game that Ottawa had no business being in.
SENSHOT’S PLAYER OF THE GAME
Joe Corvo continues to solidify his spot in the lineup. scoring a goal, blocking 3 shots and having 3 shots on goal and 2 hits in just under 20 minutes of ice time.
NOTES & OBSERVATIONS
- After the dream debut of Ceci on Thursday, hopefully this outing tempers the expectations on such a young player and people realize that although he is close, he needs more time in the minors for some seasoning before he is ready for full time NHL duty.
- Anderson continues to battle inconsistency, following up a good outing with a terrible one. Even though he lasted just 4 minutes, he allowed 2 goals that a bantam goaltender should stop 95% of the time. As long as there is such inconsistency between the pipes, Ottawa will not stand a chance at getting into the playoffs. It starts from the net out, and the netminders are not getting the job done.
UP NEXT
It won’t get any easier, as the always tough and deep St. Louis Blues will be in town to face the Senators on Monday night.