It wasn't a game that will ever show up on ESPN Classics, but the bottom line is that in their situation the Senators will take the two points and leave the stlye points alone.

With more than 1/3 of this season's offensive production sitting on the shelf, you knew the Ottawa Senators were going to have to dig deep and play a scrappy game in New Jersey, and they would also likely need a stellar goaltending performance if they were going to get out of Newark with a win.

And that is what they got, along with some timely scoring by the two players still in the lineup that can be counted on for consistent production. Kyle Turris finished off a nice setup from Ryan Dzingel to open the scoring in the first minute of the second period, and Erik Karlsson tallied on a third period power play with a pinpoint accurate shot over the shoulder of Cory Schneider to score what would turn out to be the game winner 4:11 into the third period.

Travis Zajac countered shortly after Karlsson with a power play marker of his own with Tommy Wingels serving a dreaded "puck over glass" penalty, and Ottawa didn't get a shot in the last 12 minutes of the game, but held on for dear life to escape with the much needed, and well earned despite the lopsided shot attempts total (68-40 for NJ), win.

Anderson made 29 saves, many of the superb variety as Ottawa played a defensive shell and played a "bend but don't break" style once they had the lead, and a cautious style before they had the advantage. There wasn't much else they could do, with three of their projected top 6 forwards (four if you include Clarke MacArthur) out of the lineup.

Players were out of position, the fourth line spotted in different lines so not to expose them together as a unit. It looks like that will be the case again Friday in Carolina, as Pierre Dorion addressed the media and stated this morning that he hopes Hoffman and Stone can both be in the lineup Sunday for a big game against the Panthers, but didn't mention the possibility of them suiting up against the Hurricanes.

The Senators were in first place in the Atlantic Division for a few moments, until the Canadiens earned a point and then a second one in overtime against the Rangers. The Leafs also won to move back into the third spot in the division, and scoreboard watching gets interesting tonight with two of the three Wednesday night games featuring teams looking to claw closer to the Senators. The Panthers host the Oilers, while the Bruins continue their west coast trip in Anaheim. Both Florida and Boston are four points behind the Senators and one back of the Leafs.

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