This game, did not go the Senators way. That’s for sure. a 4 – 1 loss saw the Bruins take advantage of Ottawa, where they were missing key players Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, and David Krejci
GAME RECAP
The 1st period got off to a quick start. No whistle in the first 3 minutes saw a few scoring chances generated for the Bruins. The scoring opened up at 18:54 when Brad Marchand sniped one off the draw. Mark Stone tied the game up for Ottawa seconds later, on a beauty which squeaked by Tuukka Rask.
The 2nd saw Offence come from the Bruins midway through the second. Matt Fraser beat Robin Lehner the first time on a rebound where Lehner’s two-pad-stack wasn’t quick enough to stop the speedy 24-year-old centerman,. It was Fraser again who beat Lehner on a 2 0n 1.
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Fraser, who wasn’t supposed to play this game was a late addition to the lineup for Boston. While the extents of David Krejci injury is unknown, Fraser certainly stepped up to the plate this game.
3-1 Bruins was the score after two, and it wasn’t looking good. It was Bruins d-man Dennis Seidenberg who widened the gap, making it 4 – 1 on a clean through traffic slap shot goal.
I don’t blame this effort on Robin Lehner at all. The numbers may not look so great, but Robin kept Ottawa in the game most of the way through. With 2 defensive lapses on the Fraser goals, things were out of sight after that point.
Mika Zibanejad scored the prettiest goal of the night, where he walked in on Tuukka Rask and went backhand shelf. 4 – 2 Boston was the final.
GAME NOTES/OBSERVATIONS
- Erik Karlsson played his worst game of the year, as a minus-4..
- It wasn’t just Karlsson but Ottawa’s core as a whole who had a poor outing.
- It is getting very hard to justify keeping Patrick Wiercioch in the lineup.
- Jared Cowen had his third straight “steady” game.
- I haven’t had any problems with MacLean’s usage. But I’d like to see more of the “kid-line” of Hoffman – Lazar – Stone
- Chris Neil and management should accept the fact that he can be a scratch once in a while.
- The Senators need Marc Methot back.
Note: I still like Ottawa’s position on D. I think Borowiecki and Gryba bring a solid 3rd pairing option, Ceci needs a solid 2nd pair partner. If Cowen isn’t ready.. Phillips will be when Methot returns. And when Methot returns, Karlsson will have his full-time partner.