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Milan Michalek Grabs Piece of Goal Scoring Lead, Ottawa Falls 3-2 in OT

December 3, 2011, 9:58 PM ET [ Comments]
Travis Yost
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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A late goal by Milan Michalek - his sixteenth of the season - stole at least one point for the visiting Ottawa Senators, but the Washington Capitals finished the game off quickly in overtime, with Brooks Laich beating Craig Anderson for the game-winning tally. Final score: Washington 3, Ottawa 2.

The Washington Capitals were reeling coming into tonight's tilt, but no game at the Verizon Center is ever easy, and the home team did their best to set the tempo throughout the game. Ottawa actually played well out of the gates in spite of Nicklas Backstrom's early tally, but seemed to lose their legs soon after Erik Karlsson's game-tying goal (1-1) in the middle of the second period.

From that point forward, I thought all of the momentum - oddly enough - shifted in the direction of Washington. It was as if Karlsson's goal had lit a fire under the Capitals' skaters, and the forwards went into an absolute feeding frenzy around Craig Anderson. Troy Brouwer would eventually give the team a one-goal lead in the third period, but Milan Michalek's equalizer at 16:45 salvaged at least one point.

Overtime lasted precisely twelve seconds, and for good reason. As soon as the puck was dropped, Washington gained control, and Erik Karlsson instantaneously blew a tire, setting up another deadly two-on-one. Troy Brouwer immediately fed Brooks Laich in front, and Laich buried it accordingly to secure the victory.

Although it was a disappointing outcome, you have to respect the fact that Ottawa came out hard after a nauseating loss down in Big D. And, there's plenty of positive numbers to take away from three different men donning the Ottawa sweater in Milan Michalek, Erik Karlsson, and Craig Anderson.

With his late goal, Milan Michalek reached the sixteen goal mark, which moved him into a first-place tie with Phil Kessel and Steven Stamkos. A real testament to where his game is right now, even if his shot percentage - and seemingly, luck - is at an all-time high.

Erik Karlsson's goal was just the second of the season, but his now twenty-three points in twenty-six games have distanced himself from the rest of the blue liners around the league. If Karlsson can stay healthy, he's on pace for a 6G/69A season. Unreal, to say the least.

And, Craig Anderson - big ups to the man in the crease. Without Anderson, this game could've turned into a bloodbath in the final forty minutes. The guy worked the crease relentlessly, stopping 32/35 shots, most coming from premium scoring areas. He didn't get a ton of help from his defense - par for the course, I guess - but at least tonight, he stepped up to the challenge and answered admirably.

As for negatives - well, I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to discuss that tomorrow. Sergei Gonchar was pretty much abhorrent the entire night, and his first-period performance alone was worthy of a press-boxing. And, you know the Nikita Filatov saga isn't going anywhere soon. He was a healthy scratch in favor of - well, a bunch of guys that probably aren't any more deserving.

There's so many opinions re: Filatov, and they're all worth entertaining. Still, it doesn't make the situation any less confusing, especially when a guy is scratched coming off some of his hardest-working games to date.

Back with more later. For now, Ottawa moves to 12-11-3 on the season, heading back to Scotiabank Place for a Monday night tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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