It didn’t look pretty at one point, but a team fit for the playoffs stormed back with 4 unanswered goals against, moving themselves a point ahead of the Boston Bruins and into the 2nd wild card spot.
GAME RECAP
The two teams traded chances in the first, with Andrew Hammond and Antti Niemi playing well early on. Ottawa opened the scoring on a break from Mika Zibanejad, who scored his 18th of the year.
Zibanejad continues to be a massive storyline surrounding this team as he has proven to be a fit 2nd line center for the Senators.
Ottawa took two steps back in the second, as 30 seconds ended up proving costly as Joe Pavelski and 20-year-old center, Chris Tierney gave San Jose a 2-1 lead.
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The 40 minute report wasn’t positive, as the Senators head into the 3rd down a goal.
However, in true fashion of a playoff match, the Senators stormed back. It was 4 unanswered goals that led Ottawa to what was a 5-2 win.
Mika Zibanejad tied the game, his 19th of the year as Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman both assisted on Zibanejad’s 2nd goal. Alex Chiasson had chances left and right all game, as he moved up a few lines to play with Mark Stone and Kyle Turris.
Chiasson didn’t net one until he gave Ottawa the 3-2 on a deflection goal past Niemi. Jean Gabriel Pageau added another to his season total of 6, on a 3-on-1, resulting in a 4-2 Senators lead.
That was the story on the night, and despite a bit of an uneasy ending for Kyle Turris as he missed on open net, it was Mike Hoffman who picked up his 26th of the year.
5-2 Senators the final. The Playoffs are real.
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS
- Alex Chiasson looked great. As long as Michalek’s out, he’s the likely one to get that spot on Turris’ wing and should use the time as an opportunity to showcase what he’s got.
- Hoffman has 26 goals. With 10 games left, is 30 a possibility? He needs four to become the first Senators rookie since Alexei Yashin in 93-94
- Kyle Turris missed two open nets tonight. Missed the chance to bury his 23rd and 24th goals as he has been good of late.
- Hamburgers on the ice? 2 minute penalty? watch out…
- You know that whole “American Thanksgiving playoff lock” thing? Well, anything can happen.
- The Ottawa Senators are in a playoff spot. Think about that for a minute. This team was completely out of it. Nice to see.