Playoff Chances Shrink As Boston Bruins Defeat The Ottawa Senators

Coming into tonight’s game the emotion was as close as it could get to playoff hockey here in Ottawa. Winners of eight out of the last nine games coming into tonight, the Ottawa Senators were hoping to continue their march to the playoffs with a “W” at home. The Boston Bruins had other plans. A two goal night from Ottawa native, Ryan Spooner, put a damper on the Senators’ playoff hopes.

Game Recap

There hasn’t been many games of this caliber for Ottawa this season and the importance of winning was all that mattered tonight. The Senators were able to out-possess and out-play their opponent for a large majority of the game. Ottawa registered a combined 40 shots throughout the game, while Boston a merely 22 shots.

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In the first period the Sens missed their chance to get the crowd into the game, going 0 for 2 on the power play in the first period. The closest attempt at opening the score came from Bruins forward, Brad Marchand. Senators’ netminder Craig Anderson made a break-away stop on Marchand to keep the game even at 0-0. It wasn’t until the second period that the game opened up.

An early second period power play goal from Bruins’ forward Spooner, was all it took for them to start scoring. Spooner, a Ottawa native, would notch another goal for his second of the night just after Loui Eriksson managed to score his 17th of the season. Boston went on to tally a total of three unanswered goals in the second period and at this point of the game all hopes of a comeback were lost. Even with Ottawa out-shooting Boston 21-10 in the second period.

Senators continued to play well, out-playing their division rival throughout the game. They were finally rewarded for their efforts as Windsor-Essex County native Matt Puempel, was able to score his first career NHL goal. Sadly enough, that was the only goal the Senators would go on and score tonight as Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask was a key part of their winning efforts as he always is. The Bruins managed to whether the storm put out by the Senators as they threw at them for a large part of the second and third period. But Ottawa had no answer other than the Puempel goal, falling flat 3-1.

Thoughts and Observations:

– Congratulations to Puempel on scoring his first career NHL goal. As a hockey fan growing up in Windsor, Ontario it’s nice to see some local talent in the NHL, especially when they are on your favourite team.
– It’s real disappointing to see the Ottawa Senators out play the Bruins for a large majority of the night and not be rewarded for it’s hard effort. Ottawa usually get creamed by Boston in terms of possession but not tonight.
– During the Ottawa Senators recent surge of success, Jean-Gabriel Pageau has really shined in my eyes. Love that kid.
– Craig Anderson is not to blame for tonight’s loss, get that through your head. It was nice to have Andrew Hammond carry us this far but it’s Anderson job to take over. Craig didn’t allow any fluke or bad goals that cost him his starting job tonight. Will probably see him again this Thursday against Montreal.
– Even though our chances are slim, there’s still a glimmer of hope. Sportsclubstats.com has the Ottawa Senators at 13.9 % percent at making the playoffs. Miracles can happen…just saying.

Congrats Pumps on your first career NHL goal!