Karlsson and Spezza lead Senators to 6-0 demolition of the Islanders

In what was likely the best performance of the year by the Ottawa Senators, they led from start to finish in a 6-0 win over the New York Islanders. Just 1:35 into the game, it was already a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza, causing the Islanders to pull Kevin Poulin. Karlsson's first goal was from the goal line near the boards, but his second goal was a great shot to put Ottawa ahead 3-0 in the first period. The game was over as a contest at this point and Ottawa would take a 3-0 lead into the intermission along with a 15-5 lead in shots.

The second period would be more of the same, with the Islanders being outshot 12-5 and Chris Phillips scoring to make it a 4-0 game at the second intermission. With a four-goal lead, the Senators would back off and the Islanders outshot Ottawa 18-5 over the final frame. Craig Anderson was strong though and preserved the shutout and Ottawa would score on two of their five shots on goals from Brian Lee and Spezza's second of the game.

It was a dominating road trip by Ottawa, winning all three games by a combined score of 16-2 pushing their goal difference (without counting shootouts) up to almost even at -1. With 21 games left in the season they have already hit 70 points, which is four less than all of last season. Things are certainly looking better than they did two weeks ago.

More after the jump.

Sens Hero: Erik Karlsson
Karlsson had 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, 5 shots, +4 plus minus. He did end up -1 on Corsi though thanks to the third period. His 57 points in 60 games has him on pace for 77 points in 81 games. The 57 points is also a whopping 17 points ahead of second place. The second placed man, Brian Campbell, is 17 points ahead of 38th place.

Sens Hero: Jason Spezza
Spezza continues his incredible run with a fifth consecutive multi-point game. His 27 goals and 65 points lead the team and he is on track to beat his personal best of 34 goals.

Honourable mentions: Sergei Gonchar and Chris Phillips
Both players played 21 minutes and were excellent defensively. Phillips had a goal and Gonchar added two assists.

Honourable mention: Craig Anderson
Anderson got a shutout but I relegated him to honourable mention because I don't feel the Senators won the game because of him. It was 2-0 less than two minutes into the game and the Islanders had 10 shots after the first two periods. He did hold off 18 shots in the final frame though.

Other Notes

• Brian Lee scored his first goal since 14 November 2009. He also had a team high 7 hits. The Sens are 10-0-1 in the last 11 games that Lee has played.
• Kyle Turris and Chris Neil ended seven-game pointless droughts with an assist each. Turris also was 17 for 22 in the face-off circle.
• Colin Greening however was held off the scoresheet again. He is pointless for eight straight games.
• Erik Karlsson has been on the nice for 102 of his team's goals, most in the NHL and nine more than second place Shea Weber at 93.
• Ottawa has 150 points from defencemen, most in the NHL. Four of the six goals today were from the defence.

Game Highlights