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In what should go down as the worst game of professional hockey ever played(
alright: half-kidding), the Ottawa Senators emerged victorious 2-1 in overtime, courtesy of a Filip Kuba rocket past Montreal net-minder Carey Price in the waning moments of extra-time.
Although a close-scoring affair between divisional rivals is often indicative of a hotly-contested game, Friday night's debacle of a hockey game was more like a war of attrition between both sides. The Montreal Canadiens looked absolutely out-of-sync - completely disengaged, sloppy in every third of the ice.
If you're looking for some partisanship, though, it's time to dial out. Ottawa was bad in their own right.
And, I truly don't want to entertain any of the usual nonsense we hear about the officiating when there's a high-volume of penalties called.
Montreal went to the penalty kill nine times. Ottawa went to the penalty kill four times. The Canadiens were deserving of essentially every minor handed their way; ditto the Senators. Just incredibly sloppy and careless play, especially in the defensive third.
For as undisciplined as Montreal was, it did pave the way for potentially the only bright spot of tonight - the Habs penalty kill. Man, were they sensational. That team just clogs the shooting lanes and puts their body on the line every time the opposition's power play enters the zone. It's absolutely laudable.
Hell, they even chipped in with Montreal's only goal of the game, coming from the stick of Tomas Plekanec. As much as some want to fault Matt Gilroy for soft play or for Ben Bishop getting beat (again) upstairs, I think it takes away from what was a pretty absurd singular play by the Czech. Slice, dice, fire. Not a lot of goalies are stopping that missile.
Ottawa's man advantage, conversely, was pretty much pathetic. What's sad is that once again, the entry into the defensive third was pretty sound. It was the complete lack of cycle and sense of urgency that led to the inevitable - and horrendous - zero-for-nine run in tonight's game.
Still, with Montreal completely lifeless offensively, Ottawa was able to hang around completely by default. And, eventually, the inevitable happened. Colin Greening's equalizer at 6:27 in the third period gave the team some much-needed jump, but full marks to Zack Smith for winning a big puck battle in the corners and getting the biscuit into a high-scoring area.
In extra-time, Ottawa grabbed the extra-point through the above-referenced Filip Kuba missile. The Senators gained the zone on a nice rush, and Montreal's shot-blockers couldn't get out in front, leaving Carey Price all alone.
For the Senators, it was a deserved win, even if that kind of effort would net much of anything against a game opponent. Ottawa did out-shoot Montreal 33 to 14, and the fact that Ben Bishop had so little action in general speaks volumes as to which of the two teams controlled.
Montreal's penalty kill - led by Josh Gorges, who blocks every shot, ever - and Carey Price should be given a ton of praise for their work, but collectively speaking, Randy Cunneyworth can't be happy. Way too undisciplined for a road game, and offensively - well, abhorrent.
Quick side-note for the twenty-one year old Erik Karlsson: His pair of assists give him a running total of seventy-two points on the season, ahead of elite forwards like Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa. Sick, sick run.
Ottawa's two points on the night gives them sole possession of first-place in the Northeast division. Funny - never thought I'd type that sentence this season. Or next season.
The Senators are back in action tomorrow night when they take on the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Place. The Canadiens will play again Saturday, hosting the Islanders at the Bell Centre.
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