Lehner leads Senators to 5-2 win over the Islanders ;)

The last time the Ottawa Senators and the New York Islanders played, the score was 2-0 in Ottawa's favour after 95 seconds. This time however, it was the Islanders that scored early, thanks to John Tavares goals 49 seconds into the game that Robin Lehner probably should have stopped. However, after that Lehner made several big saves including one on a breakaway, with Ottawa failing to get a shot on goal in the first half of the period. The shots were 13-8 for the Islanders and the scoring chances were 10-4 for the visitors.

The Senators played better in the second period, but still required Lehner to make some incredible saves to keep it a one-goal game. The Senators finally wake up thanks to Milan Michalek's power play goal on a backhand shot from an Erik Karlsson pass at the 12:21 mark. The assist was Karlsson's 64th point of the season, breaking the club record for points by a defenceman. A few minutes later, on another power play, Jason Spezza fired an absolute rocket to give the Senators their first lead. Erik Karlsson picked up another assist on that, his 51st of the season.

The third period started well with Jim O'Brien's second goal of the season seemingly putting the Islanders away. Unfortunately, thoughts of a comfortable finish vanquished after a defensive breakdown left P.A. Parenteau all alone in the slot and he found the top corner to make it a 3-2 game. Shortly after that, Chris Neil restored the two-goal lead with an incredible mid-air tip and Kyle Turris would add an empty-net goal to cap off the scoring in a 5-2 Ottawa win.

More after the jump.

Sens Hero: Robin Lehner
It was a very important game for Lehner, not only because it was his first game after the call-up, but also because of the trade earlier in the day for Ben Bishop. John Tavares' goal early in the game wasn't a good one to let in, but Lehner shut the door after that and gave the Senators a chance to come back. One thing he is never lacking is confidence.

Sens Hero: Erik Karlsson
Another two points for him and he broke the club record for most points by a defenceman...with 18 games left in the season. He is tied with Phil Kessel for sixth in the NHL in points at 65. He did get caught pinching on the Islanders first goal, but he gets a hero anyway for breaking the record. The game was his fourth consecutive multi-point game in a week where he had 12 points in four games.

Honourable mention: Chris Neil
He had two points, including an incredible tip for the insurance goal after the Islanders were threatening to tie it up. Neil also had four hits and didn't do anything to annoy me. All in all, a good night for him.

Other Notes

• The Senators improved to 12-0-1 in the last 13 games that Brian Lee has played. I don't know what to say about this.
• Erik Karlsson is on pace for 84 points in 81 games. Jason Spezza is on pace for 90 in 82 games.
• Robin Lehner's NHL stats this season are 2-0-0 with 2.00 goals against average and .927 save percentage.
• According to @LJTee, this was the Islanders first regulation loss when leading after the first period. That is indeed true, they were 14-0-6 before this game.
• This was also Ottawa's 10th win when trailing after the first period, tied with Minnesota for most in the NHL.
• The Senators power play is up to 7th.
• Ottawa's 74 points in 64 games equalled the 74 they had all of last season.
• The Senators have scored three or more goals in eight consecutive games. They have gone 6-1-1 in that span.

Game Highlights