The Ottawa Senators defeated the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 7-2. With hopes of the playoffs becoming more of a pipe-dream everyday, is there really much to take from a matinee match-up with the Oilers?
Today the answer to that question was a resounding yes.
Sure, it doesn’t mean much of anything in the grand scheme of things, but man was this a fun game to watch. Both teams had their jets on, and it’s always exciting when a game has the second period that this one did.
Game Recap
Ottawa came out with some gumption to start off the period, and spent the majority of the first 10 minutes in the Edmonton end. Jean-Gabriel Pageau was showing his wheels and was flying early, creating chances and making some of the Oilers’ defence look like blue and white pylons.
Ultimately though it would be Milan Michalek on the power-play who would get the Senators on the board first. Mike Hoffman would take a slapper in the direction of the net, but his shot would bounce off the glove of one of Edmonton’s defenders and pop right out to number 9 who would backhand it past a sprawled Viktor Fasth.
Edmonton would respond with a goal of their own not much later. Eric Gryba and Mark Borowiecki would make some ill-advised pinches and leave forward Bobby Ryan all alone to defend an two on one from Derek Roy and Justin Schultz. Ryan would blow a tire in front of Robin Lehner, and Roy would end up keeping and snapping a quick wrister top-shelf.
Ottawa would close out the first period with some more good pressure in the offensive zone, and Michalek especially was buzzing and looked like he was ready for his second goal of the day.
1-1 after one.
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The second period was just bananas.
0:41 into the second frame, Cody Ceci would send a shot on net that would slap through Fasth’s pads and into the back of the net.
Just 16 seconds later, the period still not quite a minute old, Kyle Turris would streak down the wing and sneak a shot through Viktor’s right arm and end his day early. Richard Bachman would step in, seeing his first NHL action since 2013.
Almost exactly 2 minutes later Edmonton would strike back with a goal of their own. Mark Fayne would knuckle a puck at the net that would deflect off Turris and find its way past Lehner’s glove.
And if you thought things cooled down after that, you’re sadly mistaken.
Nearly 40 seconds later Michalek would be rewarded once again for his excellent effort all game. Mark Stone would spring Turris and Michalek on a two-on-one, where Turris would dish it across the ice to number 9, who would make no mistake and fire it just above the right hand of Bachman.
At the next face-off Luke Gazdic and Chris Neil would jostle before the puck dropped and eventually drop the mitts. Both would land some absolute bombs – this really was a great fight and some vintage Neiler pugilism.
Now, if you were watching this game, then your head was probably spinning like mine was, so just to remind you, all this excitement was all wrapped up not even 4 minutes into the second period. The next fifteen minutes would feature some excellent Senators penalty killing and just some great, exciting end-to-end play from both clubs until Alex Chiasson would up the Senators’ lead to 5 after his wrister from the slot would bounce off Rob Klinkhammer‘s stick and in. This period alone was worth the price of admission.
5-2 Ottawa after 2.
The third period was a fairly average one. Both teams got in some chances, and both teams were still sharp, but ultimately the third wasn’t as crazy as the second. Hoffman would score the period’s first goal, showing his excellent skill set and deking out Bachman and sliding it past him and in off a nice left-ride-backhand.
Legwand would get his marker on the power-play after Edmonton was tagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty immediately after Hoffman’s tally. Legwand parked himself in front of the net and was able to deflect a point shot from Patrick Wiercioch up and past the Oilers’ backup.
The game would end 7-2, with the Senator’s winning big on goals by Michalek (he was this close to netting the hat-trick, but there unfortunately just wasn’t enough time left on the clock), Chiasson, Turris, Ceci, Hoffman, and David Legwand.
The playoffs might be little more than a dream at this point, but it would be great if the Sens played more games like this one.
Notes & Observations
- George Strombolopolous noted before the start of the game that there were 7 scouts in attendance for this one. Michalek and Neil certainly gave them a good account of themselves in this game.
- Michalek’s been working on a mini renaissance the last little while: 2 goals and an assist in this game give him 5 points in his last 6 games.
- A game like this, coupled with the comeback Ottawa showed against Pittsburgh in the previous game, is a pretty good support of the argument that this team isn’t far off from being a real good club.
- Neil ended up leaving the game after the second period and did not come back. TSN stalwart Bob Mackenzie tweeted during the third that Neil’s thumb was fractured and he is expected to be out indefinitely. This is actually good news; if you’re a fan of #25 and don’t want him to leave, this certainly hurts any chances that he might have been dealt before March 2nd. Furthermore, this opens up a spot for Shane Prince or Matt Puempel to jump up to the big club and get their first NHL games in.