Ottawa Senators: Woeful Weekend As Montreal Collect All Four Points
The Ottawa Senators have been woeful since their six-game win streak. The weekend defeats to the Montreal Canadiens leaves them with two points from four games.
Dark horses of the NHL this season, the Ottawa Senators, were quietly going about their business in the Atlantic Division. Coming away with one point from two games against the division leaders leaves the nastiest of tastes.
Going into the weekend the Ottawa Senators were 8-2-1 against the Montreal Canadiens. Even with the coaching change there was room for optimism given that the Ottawa Senators beat Claude Julien’s Bruins 3-1 on Nov. 25.
Montreal were simply the better team in both games. An argument could be had about the first, in that they were in it the whole game and probably should’ve seen the game off in overtime. For me, the turning point of the entire weekend was Montreal coming back from 2-1 down to lead 3-2. This was the momentum changer that didn’t stop until late Sunday night. Let’s take a look at each game separately.
Game One @ Canadian Tire Centre
A game jam-packed with playoff intensity with a vast amount of Habs fans in the building. A scoreless first frame left both sets of fans gnawing through their fingernails. The third minute of the second period would give the Montreal Canadiens a much desired lead. Andrew Shaw tucking it past Craig Anderson.
The Ottawa Senators would even things up on the powerplay from Derick Brassard who has finally come into form of late without troubling the scoresheet. His first goal in five games since March 6th against Boston.
Just like London buses, the Sens were made to wait, but when it finally arrived two came at once. A minute after tying the scores Ryan Dzingel would give the Ottawa Senators a lead for the first time in the game. It was also to be the last time this weekend, the Sens would hold a lead.
Montreal would turn the game (and the weekend) on its head by scoring two goals within 30 seconds of each other to secure the lead. Danault and Gallagher respectively. Brendan Gallagher’s goal, the third of the night for Montreal, should never have found its way into the Senators net. Anderson would’ve wanted that one back, given how many times he has bailed Ottawa out, it’s not fair to overly criticise.
Erik Karlsson would level things once more with five minutes remaining in the third.
Odious Overtime
Overtime was an interesting passage of play in which the Ottawa Senators frankly had the better chances. The game still tied headed to penalties.
Montreal romped the shootout with both Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris butchering their chances. Byron and Radulov sealed the deal for Montreal. Oddly enough, Ottawa beat Montreal 4-3 after a shootout in the second game of the regular season on Oct. 15. Montreal seemingly exacting revenge.
Ottawa are now 4-2 when games have gone down to the shootout.
Craig Anderson finished the night with .906 save percentage saving 29 of 32, slightly better than Carey Price’s .903 who saved 28 of 31. Both keepers not at their best. The Ottawa Senators dominated the face-off circle winning 61 percent of them, sadly couldn’t dominate the match.
Game Two @ Bell Centre
The second meeting in 24 hours was held in Montreal. Knowing a win would place them atop the Atlantic Division. The Ottawa Senators still reeling from the shootout loss looked to get things back on track in Quebec, they couldn’t. Instead they were blown away from the off.
Taking just 28 seconds of the game for Montreal to maintain their leading ways, Thomas Plekanec firing in a juicy rebound as Markov fired one in from the point. The Ottawa Senators were simply outclassed in every area on this goal, the Habs flicking the puck to one another with such ease. Firstly going behind the net, bringing the puck back to the point. Plekanec made a fool of Marc Methot as he turned him inside out, getting goal-side and tucking away the rebound.
Tom Pyatt would level the scores with a tasty deflection of Jordie Benn’s stick that looped over Carey Price. In all honesty, this was the only way Price was going to be beaten last night.
Jordie Benn would then make up for his unfortunate mistake. Chris Kelly with a dreadful turnover behind his own net. Pacioretty bullying him off the puck. Benn firing a slapshot from the blue-line that managed to miss everyone.
2-1 Montreal.
A special note for Carey Price who prevented a tie game as managed somehow to get his right leg across the crease to prevent Kyle Turris scoring on an empty goal.
Third goals seemingly an issue for Craig Anderson this weekend as he let another soft goal in. Byron snapping a quick shot from the right face-off circle through Anderson’s legs. Nathan Beaulieu finishing the tie to make it 4-1.
The Ottawa Senators were brutal at clearing the screens in front of Anderson. Allowing so much space for the Montreal attackers to work with and exploit. A team that prides itself on defensive capabilities dropped the ball Sunday.
Craig Anderson only managing to stop 33 of the 37 shots he faced, a .891 save percentage. Carey Price having one of the best games of his season, and in all honesty deserving of a shutout. Saving all bar one deflection 30 out of 31 and a .967 save percentage.
Final Thoughts
Starting with the Saturday game. This was the chance for the Ottawa Senators to secure two points, they got one and gave Montreal two. Montreal are not a vastly better team than the Ottawa Senators and potentially too much respect was given. At times, looking steady and in control of the game, once again relying too heavily on sneaking a one goal win.
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Sunday was a turkey shoot for the Montreal Canadiens. Dominating in almost every aspect of the game. From the goaltender out, simply the better side. From Saturday to Sunday, Montreal’s raising of the game was something that shocked Ottawa and simply couldn’t match it. Given the shear space in front of Anderson, it could’ve been a lot more than four last night.
Boston will now be licking their lips at the prospect of tomorrow’s game at TD Garden. The Ottawa Senators now winless in four albeit against superior teams in the NHL. Guy Boucher will need to rally the troops and make sure they leave with at least a point.