The Senators finished their road trip with a horrible 1-3-1 record. There really is no reason to believe that they deserved anything better, considering how poor their play has been since they hit the road. Hopefully they take the frustration from this road trip, and turn that into a couple of wins. Though that’s easier said than done, especially considering the games coming up.
GAME RECAP
It took 10 minutes for the first goal of the game. The Islanders controlled the puck in their own zone, only to lose it on a horrible giveaway. Mika Zibanejad, who was planted in the corner, found the puck on his stick, and saw Mike Hoffman in the high slot. Zibanejad pass to the open Hoffman who ripped a shot past Jaroslav Halak to give the Senators the lead, with just their second shot of the game.
The second goal of the game came very late in the second period. After some less-than-impressive passing by Milan Michalek and Zack Smith behind the Islanders net, the puck ended up in the neutral zone. Cody Ceci misjudged the puck’s bounce, and it slipped by him, giving Brock Nelson a breakaway. Nelson didn’t miss, as he evened the score at one apiece. Less than 2 minutes later, it looked like Casey Cizikas had given the Islanders the lead with a buzzer beater, but it was shown that the puck was just inches away from the goal line when clock hit zero.
Unlike the second period, the third period had a goal very early. John Tavares kept the puck in the Senators end, and made a nice pass to Brian Strait. Strait brought the puck into the slot, and gave it to Thomas Hickey, wh0 was waiting next the Senators net. Anderson stopped the initial shot, but Hickey eventually put is past him after batting at the loose puck several times. Ryan Strome put the puck past the goal line for the easy goal, giving the Islanders a 2-1 lead. 10 minutes later, the Senators tied the game. Mark Borowiecki dumped the puck behind the Islanders net, where Mark Stone picked it up. Stone came around the side of the net, and set up a streaking Clarke MacArthur just a couple feet from the Islanders net. MacArthur just had to tap the puck in past Halak.
Off to OT.
Hickey had possession of the puck at the point, and got past Turris with a spin move. Hickey brought it behind the Senators net, and sent the puck towards the front of the net. It bounced off of Ceci’s skate and in to give the Islanders the win.
THOUGHTS AND OBSERVATIONS
- Mark Stone looked very good with Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris
- Is Michalek the highest paid fourth liner in the league? Probably,
- Yet another great game by Anderson wasted.
UP NEXT
The Senators have a rematch with the Islanders on Thursday, the day of Alfie’s return.