Forget what the pundits have said about this hockey team. They're an incredibly exciting team to watch when they put forth the effort, and for the second time during this now four-game winning streak, they finished off the opposition with mere seconds left on the clock.
Flashback to last Saturday night, when Milan Michalek's redirected shot beat Steve Mason with just 4.7 seconds to go. For the majority of the game, Columbus was ahead and in the proverbial driver's seat. But, Ottawa fought hard to keep the game within striking distance, then delivered a stunning blow in the final minute to escape with two points.
On Thursday night? Another exhilarating finish. Ottawa controlled play for the majority of the night, but Florida's prime scoring opportunities kept the contest tight. Yet, when Colin Greening scored - pushing the margin to 3-2 - on an absolute missile at 17:53 in the third, it was the first lead the team had.
To get there, Florida and Ottawa had traded a pair of goals, with Daniel Alfredsson and Stephane Da Costa scoring for Ottawa. Florida's tallies came from Jay Garrison in the first, and Stephen Weiss in the second.
After Greening's late goal, another win looked well within reach, but the Florida Panthers pulled their goalie and subsequently converted at 19:12 through Kris Versteeg. T'was a beautiful pass across the middle, and Craig Anderson never had a chance.
What looked like an automatic overtime affair changed in the waning moments once again, as Nick Foligno buried a rebound past Jacob Markstrom with only three seconds left on the clock. Fans jumped out of their seats in unison, and why not? This team is giving their fan base a reason to be proud.
Said Foligno of the goal:
"It was nice to be able to help out the team. We have a knack for winning dramatic fashion this year."
The Ottawa Senators aren't a great hockey team, but what they're doing now is competiting each and every night, and that in itself is laudable. The late game heroics during this winning streak are just icing on the cake.
Once again, I thought the defense played a much cleaner brand of hockey, giving Craig Anderson a chance to make some key stops. Anderson wasn't on his 'A' game tonight, but he was solid and kept the team in the game.
On the other end of the ice - well, yeah. Jacob Markstrom's a freak. I'm not sure this game isn't something along the lines of 7-3 if the league average goaltender is lacing 'em up for Florida. They're blessed between the crease.
Back with plenty of more on this winning streak tomorrow. For now, enjoy the victory and the rest of the NHL slate. Thursday may have been the wildest slate of games offered up by the NHL in recent regular season play, highlighted by that absurd 9-8 final, Winnipeg over Philadelphia.
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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