The Senators’ 4 game wining streak came to an end on Saturday night. Playing the Chicago Blackhawks after playing the night before is not an easy thing to do no matter how you look at it, and despite playing relatively well, they couldn’t come away with their fifth win.
GAME RECAP
The first period was filled with powerplays, but no goals. There were a total of 8 minor penalties in the first period alone. Despite one team having the man advantage, or both teams having a lot of room on the ice for 4 – on – 4, no one managed to find the back of the set. The goalies were perfect through the first, with the Blackhawks outshooting the Senators 17 – 12.
It didn’t take long for things to change in the second period. Jonathan Toews scored a pretty wrap-around goal just 21 seconds into the second frame. Duncan Keith sent him a cross-zone pass in the offensive zone, which was followed by Craig Anderson positioning himself practically beside his net. Toews was patient, and brought the puck around the goal, just getting it past the diving Anderson’s glove. The next goal of the game came on a Blackhawks powerplay, and no, it wasn’t scored by the team you’re expecting. The puck was sent around the boards in the Senators’ end, and bounced off a referee, sending past Brad Richards at the point. Alex Chiasson caught up the puck in the Blackhawks’ end, with Brent Seabrook on his tail. Seabrook saw Milan Michalek going towards the net, and reacted by laying down on the ice, attempting to prevent a pass. Chiasson put the puck on his backhand and sent it past Seabrook to a wide open Michalek who put it top corner past Scott Darling. The game’s final goal would come with a little over 6 minutes remaining. The Blackhawsk were on yet another powerplay, and scored what can only be described as a textbook shot from the point. Richards sent a pass to Seabrook on the point, and sent a slap shot past everyone to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead that would last for the remainder of the game.
The third period was very unlike the first two, with only one penalty and the Senators outshooting the Blackhawks 16-11.
GAME NOTES
- Erik Condra and Colin Greening were placed in the lineup over Mark Stone and Curtis Lazar. They had absolutely no impact on the game. Who woulda thought?
- Goaltending is still incredibly strong for the Senators. Robin Lehner had an off-night against New Jersey, but overall he and Anderson have kept the Senators in every game they’ve played.
- Losing to the Blackhawks when only allowing 2 goals is a letdown no matter how you look at it.
UP NEXT
The Senators take on the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night in Columbus.