It was a decent effort for the Senators, but all of the scoring came within 19 seconds as Derick Brassard added in short order to the lead that Erik Karlsson had given to his team in the first period.

Unlike Thursday's game against the Flyers, the Senators and most notably Mike Condon, made the lead stand up. The Panthers tried to make pushes, but Condon's 24 saves, and the team in front of him almost matching that total with 23 blocked shots.

Other than the 19 seconds where the Senators managed to beat Roberto Luongo twice, it was a fairly even game, highlighted by (or more accurately low-lighted by) terrible power plays from both sides. Ottawa went 0 for 7 with the man advantage, and in the more than 12 minutes of power play time they managed just 6 shots and didn't have good entries or get set up properly more often than not. They seem to fall in love with one particular play (at this point it is the Mark Stone to Mike Hoffman cross crease pass) and ignore anything else and try to set up that play no matter what. A little more creativity (maybe adding in an alternate option) that they can go to when that go-to play is scouted out as it was by the Panthers, would help the overall play. Instead it seems forced and there seems to be no option for freestyling.

Florida does deserve some credit for solid penalty killing, which will usually trump a good power play but getting seven chances and not scoring is not acceptable. Fortunately Ottawa managed to kill off all four Panthers chances including a lengthy 5-on-3 in the second period.

Andreas Englund looked OK in his debut, but he played a very sheltered 9:49 in his NHL debut, but was credited with seven hits in the game. Ditto Buddy Robinson who played less than five minutes but showed some speed on the forecheck and had a scoring chance but fumbled the puck.

With a positive end to the three game homestand, the Senators now face a daunting task over the next couple of weeks. Pittsburgh and San Jose will kick off the road trip, only the defending Stanley Cup champion and finalist. Then a tough back to back against LA and Anaheim will close out the trip.

On a positive note, it was reported that Craig Anderson may re-join the club for the trip, or at least some of it. Condon has been good when called upon, but having the #1 along won't hurt and they could split the back to back games. I am not sure that the staff is too keen on playing Andrew Hammond should Anderson not return for the trip.

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