Just when it looked like Erik Karlsson was going to drop below the 1.00 points per game mark for the first time since going pointless in the first game of the season, he goes and gets a goal and two assists in the second half of the game to give himself some breathing room.
The Senators were chasing for most of the game, and has been the case so often (or too often depending on your perspective) it came down to the final shift of the game. Mika Zibanejad tapped home a loose puck at the side of the net to tie the score with the goalie pulled and just 7.1 seconds left on the clock to force the extra period.
Karlsson, who had made The Bachelor famous earlier in the day with his excitement over an upcoming night of reality TV bingewatching, won the game for the Sens with his OT shot that eluded Devan Dubnyk.
The Senators were chasing because of an early goal from Nino Neiderreiter, after a Mike Hoffman turnover inside the offensive zone. Hoffman took a lot of grief from the broadcast crew, but the ensuing 2-on-1 couldn't have been played better by Mike Kostka and that short side goal is one that Craig Anderson simply cannot allow, and has done so too many times this season. That has been my beef for most of the season with Ottawa goaltending, despite the number of shots they face, there are simply too many weak goals.
Hoffman got his first goal in 9 games with a snap-shot from the point when it looked like the Sens wouldn't get anything through a stingy Wild defensive system that blocked more shots (25) than the Sens got through (20). Ryan Carter gave the the lead again, stepping out of the penalty box and joining the rush, deflecting a pass over Anderson's shoulder.
It looked like that would hold up and the Wild would get two desperately needed points, but Zibanejad and then Karlsson ruined that and Minnesota gained just one point on the Avalanche, who they entered the game tied with for the final playoff spot in the West.
As for Ottawa's playoff chances, obvioulsy a win is better than a loss, but they needed wins a couple of weeks ago, and needed to go on the type of run the Flyers are on right now, to close the gap. It is too little, too late for Ottawa's chances and this win doesn't change that significantly. Although the gap between themselves and Detroit closed to 5 points with the Flyers win over the Wings, they still trail the Flyers by 4 points and Philly has 3 games in hand on Ottawa. The way Claude Grioux and company are playing, the Red Wings have to be looking over their shoulder at the surging Flyers, who are 7-2-1 in their last 10.
--- The Senators have signed little talked-about prospect Francis Perron to his entry level contract yesterday. Perron was the Senators 7th round pick (190th overall) in 2014, so the lack of hype is understandable, but he is currently 2nd in QMJHL scoring with 107 points (4th with 41 goals) in 61 games this season for the league leading Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.
He is over a point per game in his junior career, with the only major knock on him is his size (listed at 6', 165 lbs). But with the success of some other slight players (Johnny Gaudreau being the best example), if he puts a few pounds on his frame he could eventually be a contributor. Sure 100 points in the Q wasn't the same as in the OHL or WHL in the past, but there will likely be fewer 100 point players in Quebec than either of the other 2 leagues so that is an even more impressive feat. He also leads his team in scoring by almost 30 points.
Could Perron be the steal the Senators have been needing? The prospect that comes out of nowhere to become an offensive force? It probably won't happen right away, but a couple of years down the road, who knows?