Senators come back from 4-1, beat Rangers 5-4 for fifth straight win
by DarrenM on Oct 29, 2011 6:52 PM EDT
in Ottawa Senators game recaps
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PrintThe Senators extended their winning streak to five games today, and if there's one thing to be taken away from this string of wins it's that this is a team that will play to the final minute, even when they appear down and out. The Senators were down 4-1 with only 11 minutes remaining in the game, but they still found a way to rally back and come out with another big win.
The Senators had a strong start to thegame, outshooting the Rangers 13-9 in the first period and coming out with the period's only goal. The goal was scored on a Filip Kuba point shot, with Erik Karlsson and Kaspars Daugavins getting credited with the assists. Upon further review, it turned out that the puck went in off Chris Neil, so he got credit and Daugavins lost his first NHL point. Poor guy.
The dynamic of the game changed dramatically in the second period when Zenon Konopka was given a five minute major and ejected from the game for a hit on Artem Anisimov. Whether he should have faced such a reprimand is debatable, but you can't argue the effect it had on the game. The Rangers scored two goals on the resulting powerplay to go up 2-1, and the Senators looked lost for the next twenty minutes.
The Rangers would add two more goals early in the third period, giving them a 4-1 lead that looked insurmountable, particularly with the strong play of Henrik Lundqvist. Nevertheless, the Senators found a way to come back, as two goals from Jason Spezza brought the team within one, and Milan Michalek managed to push home the tying goal. Overtime solved nothing, but Milan Michalek was the only scorer in the shootout, giving the Senators a well-deserved 5-4 win. The Senators are now above .500 for the first time this season.
Sens Hero: Jason Spezza
Spezza had two goals on the night: the first was a beautiful tip-in on a Sergei Gonchar shot, while the second was a slap shot where he waited patiently for havoc in front of the net (created by Colin Greening) to give him a good screen. Spezza is now 2nd in the NHL in points with 15, and tied for third in goals with 7.
Get Well Soon: Daniel Alfredsson
Alfredsson left the game in the third period after receiving an ugly head shot from Wojtek Wolski. It looked bad for Alfredsson, but hopefully he'll be able to return for tomorrow night's game. Have to imagine Wolksi will have an awkward meeting with Brendan Shanahan after that hit.
Sens Hero: Filip Kuba
Kuba has been a different player in the early part of this season, showing great chemistry with Erik Karlsson and far more hustle than we're used to seeing from him. He had three assists on the night. He was second on the team in time on ice with 24:42. First in TOI was Erik Karlsson with an outrageous 29:45
Honourable Mentions: Erik Karlsson, Milan Michalek
As mentioned above, Karlsson was on the ice for nearly half the game. He also posted two assists, giving him the league lead with 11. Michalek had a two-point night as well (1G, 1A), and the shootout winner.
Other Stats and Notes:
- Stephane Da Costa won only 2 of 11 faceoffs, giving him an 18% faceoff percentage.
- The Senators outshot the Rangers 40-28.
- Craig Anderson almost received a Sens Zero due to his save percentage of .857, but he redeemed himself with a huge save in overtime to push the game to a shootout. He then shut the door on the Rangers in the shootout, not allowing a single goal.
- David Rundblad had more icetime tonight than Chris Phillips. Rundblad played 20:45. Jared Cowen had the lowest time on ice of the Sens' blueliners with 13:38.
- Filip Kuba and Chris Phillips each had two blocked shots on the night. I never thought I'd say this, but Filip Kuba is tied for most shots blocked on the Ottawa Senators with 17.
Highlights:
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Viagra!
I got a signed Chris Phillips jersey! (Also signed by Nick Foligno)
...Oh, wait.
We have 3 guys in top 6 in points in the league
As of right now:
Spezza is 2nd in the NHL in points
Michalek is 4th
Karlsson is 6th
Will change by the end of the night, but still awesome.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
and completely unexpected, as far as I'm concerned
I can’t believe how many goals the Senators are scoring early this season.
Co-manager, Silver Seven
Good thing too, because Anderson is letting plenty in.
Not that they’re all his fault, of course.
It’s funny, Anderson isn’t playing that much better than, say, Elliott was, but both he and the team in front of him are playing much more confidently. Whatever happens, they are trying their best, and, thus far, it is having good results.
Yep - Anderson is avoiding a lot of criticism due to the team winning
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
This is what's called the ecological fallacy
Talked about it’s relation to hockey here.
by TheGuineaPig on Oct 29, 2011 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd certainly agree
It’s hard to avoid though, I find looking at the numbers on shots generated and then comparing to your original “impression” helps make a bit more of an objective analysis.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
I'm not sure what's fallacious.
Comparing the numbers, Elliott allowed 28 goals in his first 10 games played last season, Anderson has allowed 35 in his first 10 games this season. Their records: 6-4 for Elliott in that span, 6-2 (with two other games played for which he was not credited the loss, since they were the losses to Toronto and Philadelphia). Their wins and losses in their first 10 games are nearly identical.
Elliott’s save percentage after 10 was .907 (rounding up); Anderson’s is .881. Elliott’s goals against average was 2.98 (assuming I did the math right) after 10 games played; Anderson’s is 3.66.
So I think at least my observation that ‘Anderson isn’t playing much better than, say, Elliott was’ is accurate, at least insofar as we are comparing their first 10 games. But by Elliott’s 10th game last year, the Senators had played 13 games (actually, not many more than they have already played) and had a 6-6-1 record (again, very close to their record thus far this season).
Nor do I think I am being fallacious in stating that Anderson and the Senators are playing more confidently, seeing as they have won 4 games after falling behind, and came within 1 goal of at least overtime against the Leafs in their second game. I suppose that my statement about their confidence is ultimately subject to falsification based on their remaining 71 games.
Comparing goalie stats are not complete without comparing their tems' offenses.
Also, Anderson’s GAA include the two blowups of 7-1 and 7-2. In this case, should we be looking at the average or the medium of goals against? IMO, there are many variables for us to just compare a few goalie stats.
by whatsinaname on Oct 29, 2011 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
That's more or less my point
Anderson the goalie is not playing much better than Elliott the goalie, at least in terms of their first 10 games (Elliott’s last year, Anderson’s this).
Furthermore, it is fair to say that in games when Elliott was in net, if the Senators were down, say, 4-1, they would not, as a rule, come back to win the game in the shoot-out, or even tie it in regulation.
Therefore, some other factor, or (more likely) factors, is responsible for the difference in play (so far as there is any discernable difference).
Compare goals on dump-ins from the point?
How many for Anderson vs Elliott? I haven’t watched any St Louis games or highlights this season to know if Elliott’s given any of these up yet. But if they haven’t already, the Bluese are surely due to learn the feeling of the wind evaporating from their sails when Elliott whiffs on a dump in for a goal.
I think Anderson’s goals against tonight for example were pretty much all unstoppable. His GAA at this point is probably not reflective of his skill level. Anderson’s consistency I think everyone is saying gives the team confidence in front of him.
I think you mean Median Goals Against
Less sensitive to outliers, and thus a better representation of his abilities than the mean, which would include those giant outliers. Even a 95% trimmed mean might be okay.
Thanks, that's what I meant to say, median.
I feel silly…school’s a long time ago.
by whatsinaname on Oct 30, 2011 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Elliot's first ten games weren't the problem though
In fact, we had a somewhat decent start to last season as I recall.
I do think Andy is “fighting the puck” a bit. Or at least it looked like he was at the end of yesterday’s game.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions
The thing I’m finding is that Andy isn’t playing amazing, but is making those saves when they could, like in the last minute of the 3rd or overtime like the other day. Elliott used to let in these absolutely soul crushing goals. Elliott would let in those goals where the Sens were dominating in shots then let in a goal on the first shot he faces in the period. That was the stuff that killed us. Andy seems to be more bend, but not break right now. Keep the team in the game and they’ll find a way to win it.
by modsuperstar on Oct 29, 2011 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it only same bend not break because the Senator are scoring goals. If Elliott let in a 3-1 or 4-1 goal, Sens were done.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Okay I made no sense.
Should have been:
“I think it only seems like bend…”
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
what's scarier?
look at BElliott’s #‘s in STL. He’s a man on fire.
He’s 4 and 1 with a .942SV% and a sparkling 1.67GAA…oh, and 1 shutout.
Are you asking me or are you telling me?
You're an expert?
So you're an expert?
So you saw it...you're saying you saw it on the...you're an expert?
You're not an expert.
Mount Andy Sutton - Erik Karlsson's greatest partner ever.
Elliott is a hot and cold goalie. Even last year he had a stretch between October 26th and Nov 13th where he went 7-1 and I’m pretty sure won first or second star in the NHL during that time. I wish the guy all the luck in the world, but he has shown he is very streaky. He showed repeatedly in Ottawa that he couldn’t carry the load full time, so I have little faith he’ll be able to be the #1 guy over the course of the season.
Knowing this I picked him up in my hockey pool for nothing and was able to trade him 3 days later because of his hot streak.
by modsuperstar on Oct 30, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
This is it
His highs are very high, and his lows are very low.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Oct 31, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd like to know
Whether Brendan Shanahan has an e-mail address accessible to the public, because I would definitely like to tell him that he really has to look at Wolski’s hit.
I really hope Alfie isn’t badly hurt.
That said, another great comeback from the Senators. I’m sure they’d prefer to win games by leading them from start to finish, but we’ll take the 2 points. Now, go Panthers and go Penguins! (Only because tonight they are playing the Sabres and Leafs respectively, just so we’re clear.)
I don’t think I’ve seen a Sens squad this resilient and with this many victories by a margin of one goal, and I know they’ve rarely been this good in the shoot-out. The Team 1200 guys at the start of the shoot-out pointed out that the Senators’ record last season was 2-5, so they’re already better than last year.
go team!
so sick!!!
on a random note, nhl.com, the team 1200, and cbc all stated that anderson hadnt yet let in a shoutout goal, however he totally did vs. minnesota — cullen i believe?
Da Costa's faceoffs aren't good enough.
He will have to improve that since he is the default #2 center. Also, he also reminds me of Toby Jones
It has to do with his head to torso weight ratio
when he is leaning forward to take the faceoff, the weight balance is just not right. Maybe a heavier helmet ?
by whatsinaname on Oct 29, 2011 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I can't believe what a jerk Lundqvist is
Why would he try to bring Chris Neil down like that?
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
The comeback kids!
Loving the resilience and pluck of this year’s Senators.
Hope Alfie is ok.
by sensory_experience on Oct 29, 2011 7:40 PM EDT reply actions
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap;_ylt=ApIiz8crKByizFLYcxfrpOR7vLYF?gid=2011102913
Spezza started the rally with an even-strength goal at 9:18 and a power-play tally 3:31 later after Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson(notes) was injured when New York’s Wojtek Wolski(notes) bumped into him—seemingly by accident—and was given a penalty for an illegal check to the head
Ridiculous officiating for hits.
Konopka’s hit was at most a 2 minute minor for boarding. Not a hit from behind and not a head shot. It seems like these days, the refs are just waiting for an excuse to throw the tough guys out of games. Wolski’s hit was dirty and no penalty was called.
Most penalized player in the league
Is an albatross around his neck. Like Ruutu, Konopka is always going to get the call if there’s a doubt.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions
MacLean was okay with Konopka and Alfie calls
Saying the referees made the right call, and now it is up to Shanahan.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
He was pretty adamant though, he said it a few times. Something like: rules were correctly applied.
Really surprised about the Alfie one.
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
Wow, that IS surprising
I don’t know what else he could say, though.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Oct 29, 2011 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
He could say something along the lines of "the referees are a bunch of dumb hicks who dont know a hockey stick from radiator"
Okay I guess he couldn’t say that but GOD DANGIT I hate the refs, they always seem to decide the game for the senators. Luckily, we’ve been stickin it to the man.
Maybe he hadn't seen the tape of the Alfie hit
It’s pretty damning.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Just saw the clip
To paraphrase, he said it happened fast and the officials made the call they had to on the ice, and now it’s up to Brendan Shanahan.
I think that’s just a classy way of dealing with it. He’s still saying that there was probably a mistake and the league should look into it, but doing it in a way that won’t piss off officials.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
All you can ask for is consistency in officiating
I disagreed with the Konopka call. But I figured that was the standard the ref was applying. But then that Wolski hit comes, and its way more brutal. He goes against the flow of play, and sticks his elbow into Alf’s grill. Don’t tell me he did that by accident. And then its only two minutes? But I didn’t see Alf come back on the PP like Anismov did after the Konopka hit. Wolski should get 5 games at least. If he would have scored in the shootout, I bet MacLean would have had a different tone. Nice to see Spezza and the boys picked up the W for Alfie. Take that fire into the game against Toronto tomorrow night. They need to learn that their shit does, in fact, stink.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHbj53fZx2Y
Anisimov is a faker
Konopka’s a real inventor with the “hit from behind” by way of an elbow to Anisimov’s ribs. I guess ribs extend to the back?
Looked like a soccer player to me when he lay on the ice there for a minute.
That hit is a good example of how the new headshot rules are lame. Guys don’t think twice about looking backwards while playing the puck next to the boards. I agree with the concept of penalizing intent to injure and other forms of “taking liberties”, but it’s too easy for the guy about to receive a clean hit like Konopoka’s to turn his head and give his team a 2 or 5 minute advantage, 2 goal lead, cost a blue collar guy some of his paycheck, etc.
Sure it’s gamesmanship but it’s not exciting to watch … if I wanted to watch soccer I would. I think they should give the refs more leeway to call it based on what they see (e.g. if the victim turns to the boards to draw a call, ref could let it go), rather than an automatic call where the guy bangs his head. Let Shanahan lay down the punishment retroactively if the ref gets it wrong.
Why all the hate
for the beautiful game?
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Game was beautiful
But that call was not. I like Konopoka, tough call for him and I don’t think he deserved it.
"Beautiful game" refers to soccer/football :P
An Ottawa Senators supporter in Toronto, Ontario. I am cool like that.
What it probably came down to
is that the officials didn’t see the Alfie it. The Konopka one was pretty visible.
But when you have the benefit of slow-motion replays things are different. Wolki’s looked a lot more intentional, which is the damning thing in it all. What kind of asshole do you have to be to elbow a guy in the head like that on purpose?
I think that Wolski gets a few games in the pressbox for this and Konopka escapes suspension (and then ends up in the pressbox anyways!). The crappy thing is that doesn’t fix Alfie’s concussion.
by RogerTheShrubber on Oct 30, 2011 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Anderson is looking like last season
At the start of this game, Anderson looked the top of his game. So relaxed and playing a reliable game. It wasnt until the 5 minute powerplay against one of the worst penatly killing team that deflated his play. I feel like whenever I watch goals against Anderson, most of them are just not his fault! Deflections, behind the net passes, breakaways and such. I feel bad for the guy cause his stats are horrible even though it seems more bad luck than anything. I hope these wins give him some confidence going forward and I hope he plays that same as he did this game cause he looked really good up until the 5 minute powerplay (which IMO should NOT have been what it was)
Considering the refs didnt even think it was a penalty at first, then decided it was a 2 minute minor, then decided it was a 5 minute and game miscondcut. then the dude gets back in the game when Alfie is taken out and its a minor…. whatever. Clearly refs all got together again this season and decided they would pick on the Sens all season long for the 20th year in a row.
Some are his fault, though
A Gaborik laser from six feet away? Not gonna lay any blame on him for that one—the goalie that stops that shot is just plain lucky.
But the second Rangers goal, where he was facing the two on none, left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Richards shouldn’t be able to score five-hole there. Anderson was cheating to play the pass and he should have just played the shooter. In a case like that, it’s not his fault that he was hung out to dry to face two shooters himself, but it is his fault that he misplayed the situation.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Oct 29, 2011 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
It's a two on none down low
He had no option but to cheat as far as playing the percentages goes, and Richards is an elite player that picked his 5 hole.
That goal is the fault of the skaters in front of him.
No doubt he got hung out to dry
I’d just rather see him play the pass all the way
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
I guess they're just not like Brian Elliot goals or... Auld goals.
But he really did look relaxed and good tonight. That 5 minutes penatly really ruined his game tonight. If he plays like this everynight, his stats should change. And on the 5 hole goal I just feel he was damned if he didnt cheat and damned if he did cheat.
The team doesn't seem to lose confidence in front of him
The deflation with Elliott was visible.
And yeah, it was probably a damned if you do, damned if you don’t on that goal. But if he plays the shot and the goal comes from a Richards pass, I don’t think he’s at fault in that situation.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Oct 30, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I think that's the key
The team has a new attitude with Anderson in goal. And that is, the players feel they can come back with him, whereas last year, if I remember correctly, whenever the team tried a comeback, the goalie would let in a soft one or two to deflate the team.
I was just plain laughing the whole last five minutes of regulation. I mean what are the odds of doing this over and over in the first 11 games!!
by whatsinaname on Oct 30, 2011 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions
It's not your calcultor, it's your euphoria.
We are all feeling it right now.
by whatsinaname on Oct 30, 2011 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions
haha. I love euphoria inflated stats :)
And from now on it shall be referred to as calcultor.
by Pmoron on Oct 30, 2011 1:45 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
so...
is Konopka going to play tonight or will he be Shanabanned?
my fantasy team needs to know! I need those PIM and I’ll dump him for someone else if he’s suspended.
by Beantown Canuck on Oct 30, 2011 10:46 AM EDT reply actions
No Shanaban yet
I’d roll the dice on him. There is a high likelihood that if he plays tonight (and it looks like he will) there will be PIMs.
Silver Seven - The Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa Senators Blogs
by Mark Parisi on Oct 30, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s no way he’s banned. The refs flat out got that call wrong.
by modsuperstar on Oct 30, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
No supplemental discipline on Wolski.
Looks like Shanahan’s been going easy since preseason, I still think that 2 games Clarke MacArthur got was ridiculous.
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