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Senators lose 2-1 to Capitals in Phillips' 1179th game

The Ottawa Senators started the game on a high note with a celebration of Chris Phillips setting the team record for games played, but they couldn't keep the good times rolling and lost 2-1 to the Washington Capitals

If you stopped watching the broadcast of this one after the pre-game ceremony to honour Chris Phillips setting a franchise record for most games played, don't fret: You didn't miss much. Although it wasn't as boring as the loss to the New Jersey Devils earlier in the week, it wasn't far off either.

In the first period, both the teams traded possession and generated an evenly-split 12 shots between them. It was over quickly, too, with just seven whistles in the 20 minutes of game time.

Things got heated to start the third, when Alex Ovechkin railroaded Erik Karlsson with an ugly hit that drew the ire of both Marc Methot and Bobby Ryan. Although Ovechkin and Ryan were given coincidental minors, Karlsson and Ovechkin continued sparring a bit through the night.

Kyle Turris gave the Sens the lead with a perfect top-corner shot after Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman did some yeoman's work on puck retrieval behind Braden Holtby. The lead didn't last long, though; just over a minute later, failed communication between Jared Cowen and David Legwand left Evgeny Kuznetsov looking at a wide-open net. Less than a minute after that, Robin Lehner failed to control the rebound of a relatively weak shot and Ovechkin batted it in out of mid-air. The second period ended with the Caps up 2-1.

Ottawa had ample opportunity to get back into the game once the third period started, when they were given three consecutive powerplays in the first five minutes. They generated six shots on those three powerplays, but couldn't get anything past Holtby. Without Chris Phillips' big-game heroics, the Sens lost 2-1.

Sens Hero: Chris Phillips
A sentimental pick for the all-time leader in games played for the Ottawa Senators. He only played 14:54, but he was mostly unnoticeable (which is fine).

Sens Hero: Erik Karlsson
Karlsson was locked into the game tonight, even though he didn't manage any points. He was battling with Ovechkin all night--outbattled on Ovechkin's goal, unfortunately, but nonetheless--and he fired four shots on goal in a game-high 28:03 played. He was good.

Honourable Mention: Kyle Turris
Turris was good, too, and led the way with five shots on net--including his first goal in 12 games. If he keeps playing like this and playing with Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone, the goals should keep coming.

Dishonourable Mention: Robin Lehner
Judging by the way Lehner moved side-to-side tonight, his pads must weigh 200 pounds each. He didn't get across well, and when he made saves, they usually looked awkward. He's not a zero because he still only allowed two goals against--not terrible, all things considered--but he didn't look great.

Sens Killer: Alex Ovechkin
Just as Karlsson was Ottawa's main driver, Ovechkin was Washington's. He played well, and EK65 couldn't contain him.

Sens Killer: Braden Holtby
Holtby was the Capitals' best player. Ottawa had a few good chances, but couldn't get anything past him except for Turris' perfect top-corner shot.

Shot Map:

2015-02-05