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To call the effort and energy levels put forth by Ottawa on Friday night 'lackluster' is to err on the conservative side, but thanks in large part to the brilliant play of goaltender Craig Anderson, they managed to steal a point in Raleigh in a 2-1 OT loss.
If there's one thing the Ottawa Senators haven't had issues with this season, it's been the focus and tenacity for sixty minutes. Unfortunately, Ottawa seemed to succumb to the tough schedule and overtime thriller on Thursday night, as a beaten down Carolina team skated circles around them for sixty-minutes plus.
Regulation was a bit of a snoozer, with the only goals being tallied in the first period. Even more amusing, both goals snuck past the respective goaltenders seemingly out of nowhere. Andreas Nodl's game-opening tally from a bad angle redirected off the foot of Matt Carkner, and Filip Kuba's wrister from way outside somehow snuck past Cam Ward to even the game.
Past that, both goalies played well, although Ward wasn't tested nearly as much as Anderson. Carolina kept the pace in their favor for most of the night, and without Craig Anderson in net, my guess is the final score was a bit crooked.
In overtime, a point rocket by Jay Harrison snuck past a disappointed Craig Anderson for the game-winner. Anderson stopped 36/38 shots, but it was the last one that eventually sealed the fate for the Ottawa Senators on Friday night.
Considering Paul MacLean's had this team ready to go almost every night this year, I'm going to chalk this loss up to fatigue. Ottawa might match-up poorly against teams of superior talent, but it's rare they're out-worked, and they absolutely were tonight.
At the very least, Ottawa was able to salvage a point in a game they had no business doing so, and as it looks right now, that single plus could prove crucial, as Washington/New Jersey also went into extra-time on Friday night.
As much as I'd like to break this game down more in-depth, I'll avoid doing so for two reasons. First, there were long stretches of this tilt that were of the dump-and-change variety, and Ottawa largely looked like a team ready to hop on a charter back to take care of some late Christmas shopping.
Second - well, speaking of Christmas shopping, that's what I'm taking care of tonight and early tomorrow. Vintage slacker move, but the only way I operate is under the gun.
Back with the Airing of Grievances Part II tomorrow.
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