The Senators are back to doing Senators things, and in the long run it might not be the best thing for the franchise. With good performances in back to back games by the men between the pipes, the Senators managed to play well enough to earn a lead, choke away that lead in regulation, and then find a way to win in overtime for the second straight game.
There is still a long way to go in the season, and while the playoffs are all but out of reach, they still have the opportunity to climb in the standings and reduce their chances of nabbing the elusive top 5 pick.
For the second straight game the Senators allowed a goal in the final two minutes, with shabby defensive zone coverage that has hung their goaltender out to dry. This one in Philadelphia required a shootout, and it took six rounds before Mike Hoffman went Forsberg and became the lone shooter to find the back of the net. Why it took until the sixth round for Guy Boucher to send Hoffman over the boards is another question that needs an answer.
Colin White, inserted on the top line in place of the digitally challenged Bobby Ryan, got his first NHL point, an assist on Matt Duchene's sweet individual drive to the net roof- shot.
Like it was earlier in the season, when the Senators were getting points and sitting in a playoff spot, it was by scratching and clawing, forcing extra time and nabbing those hard to come by points.
The problem is that if they get back to that now, they are just shooting themselves in the foot and providing false hope for the future. Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it, and the Senators will never get to the top of the mountain without sinking to the bottom for a couple of years.
Its a catch-22 for fans, who want the team to play well despite being out of the race, but also want the best possible pick. If they had gotten the goaltending for the past three months, they could be in a better playoff position, but they still get dominated at times and have trouble putting teams away (a 14-3 shot deficit in the third period Saturday, for example) and relying entirely too much on their goalies that haven't been there enough to bail out their teammates.
Although, it looked like the Senators had added a third goal to their lead before the Flyers mounted the comeback, but the successful Dave Hakstol coaches challenge showed Duchene was offside on the zone entry before he scored what looked like his second goal of the game.
Turning to today, the Senators will look to win a 3rd straight game for the first time since the October 10-14th Western Canada road swing,way back when things were looking good. They will pay a visit to the rival Canadiens, who have shared in the dismal struggles of the Senators this season but also enter this one off a win Saturday, by a 5-2 over the Ducks.
Antti Niemi got the win against the Ducks, and it is scheduled to be Carey Price in goal for the Habs. Except that Price has lost his last 3 starts and 11 of his last 14 (3-9-2). I wouldn't expect Claude Julien to alienate his starter and create controversy by playing Niemi in back to back games, but that would be quite the story indeed.
Fortunately, both teams played afternoon games Saturday, with the Senators adding the short flight to Montreal to their tasks, but neither should have much of a rest advantage. The Habs have lost 7 of their last 10 (3-5-2), and sit directly in front of the Senators with a 5 point cushion.
Mark Stone won't play Sunday, but could be ready for Tuesday, while there was no update on Ryan as of yet, on a possible date of return.
Mike Condon will start in the Senators net, and he is coming off one of his most solid performances in the win on Thursday against the Ducks.