The Ottawa Senators headed into their game last night on a three game win streak. Erik Karlsson made his return, but it wasn’t enough and the Sens fell by the score of 3-0 to the Vancouver Canucks.
After sweeping the Western Canadian teams on their road trip the Sens were set for a rematch with Vancouver. Previously they had won in a shootout, but this time they would have Erik Karlsson. Unfortunately, despite outplaying the Canucks for most of the game the Sens fell in regulation for the first time.
First Period
The first period started off well for the Sens as they outshot the Canucks and controlled much of the play. However, they took a penalty roughly three quarters of the way through the period. It was an ill timed too many men on the ice penalty. At the time the penalty kill was at one hundred percent on the season. Alas that’s a record that’s simply unsustainable and the Canucks would end the streak there. Following the Canucks goal the Sens had a few prime chances, most notably Karlsson going end to end and nearly scoring. Sadly, the Sens couldn’t find an answer and they went to intermission down 1-0.
Second Period
The second period was much of the same for the Ottawa Senators. They outplayed the Canucks but they were the one to give up the singular goal. Alex Burmistrov scored the loan goal of the period giving the Canucks a two goal lead heading into the third.
Third Period
The third period was the same pattern. The Sens peppered Anders Nilsson with shots but he stood tall until the Canucks scored three quarters of the way through the period. The score would stand and the Canucks won 3-0.
Takeaways
With Karlsson coming back it was thought the Sens should win this game. Unfortunately what happened was the ran into a hot goaltender. Karlsson played well especially for his first game back. In fact most the team played well, but sometimes you just run into a hot goaltender. That’s what happened last night.
Next: Ottawa Senators Host Vancouver As Karlsson Returns
Next Game
The Sens play next on Thursday when they take on the New Jersey Devils.