It is kind of equal parts amazing and frustrating.
The Ottawa Senators continue to get outplayed and outshot, but more often than not, especially on home ice, they somehow once againmanaged to make the most of their opportunities and come away with a win.
And what an important win over the rival Boston Bruins it was as the Atlantic Division has its third different divisional leader in 3 days and the Senators climbed to within 2 points of the Florida Panthers, who wake up this morning as the top team in the Atlantic points-wise. Ottawa sits 5th in the log-jammed division.
Ottawa also opened up a 3 point gap over Tampa Bay as they still sit in the 2nd wild-card spot by virtue of their 3-1 win. It was a game of momentum shifts, and one where Boston had the edge in play and once again Craig Anderson stood tall. The lone blemish was a net drive from David Krejci where he stuffed it into the corner and required video review. While the assumption could be made that the puck was over the line, the TSN broadcast didn't show a shot where it could be conclusive and it was still ruled a goal, that tied the game at 1.
Mark Stone had a pair, the first one giving the Senators a 1-0 lead for the second time in the last 3 games, and the second one into an empty net to secure the win as the Bruins were buzzing. Both of Stone's goals were assisted by Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson. The winner was potted on a rebound by Mika Zibanejad, assisted by Bobby Ryan and Mike Hoffman. Another case of the big 6 contributing and combined with Anderson being good being enough for the Senators to win.
For a guy who was written off as finished, Chris Neil deserves a lot of credit for the role he has played this season. He has been a fourth line staple every night while many (myself included) thought heading into the season that if he saw 20 games it would be enough. He hasn't done much offensively but in some games, and this one included, he and his 4th line mates have done their job in gaining momentum when called upon.
For those Jared Cowen haters, (and he did play a pretty solid game against Boston) you better get used to seeing him in the lineup. Cody Ceci, who left the second-last game before Christmas with a lower body injury but was expected to be back shortly after the Christmas break, has been downgraded to week-to-week with his lower body injury.
Boston and Ottawa will square off again on Tuesday night in the back half of the home and home tied for the 1st and 2nd wild card spots, and Boston will have to overcome the potential distraction of the Winter Classic, which goes Friday at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. I don't know how much of an effect the EPIX Road to the Winter Classic series directly affects the teams involved, but the Habs and Bruins have had their struggles in the last month and don't have a ton of time to turn things around before the big spotlight shines on them in a few days.
I know the Senators aren't too interested in helping them get on track.