Chicago Blackhawks top Ottawa Senators 2-1 for second straight -NHL Update
Ottawa is not the one facing any playoff positioning issues at the moment which certainly showed as the Senators sluggish performance let Chicago Blackhawks take the best of them, 2-1, Friday night, March 2, 2012, at the sold-out Scotiabank Place in Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada.
Chicago is also secure at number six in the Western Conference with 77 points, four above seventh place San Jose Sharks while Ottawa is seventh in the East, six ahead of eighth spot Winnipeg Jets.
Veteran goalie, Ray Emery, was in the net for Chicago against Senators and played well with 25 saves and letting only one puck go through. Emery will and has always been a goalie that surprises the crowds when they least expect it.
"It feels great," Emery said. "We're in a battle and we know they are, too. We needed that one, especially our last few games on the road we've had a tough time and to come out and outplay them like we did in the first two and then really hunker down defensively
in the third."
Emery was a huge contributor for Anaheim last season taking them to the playoffs after coming out of a near career ending hip injury. Not having him on the time this 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season really shows for the Ducks.
Milan Michalek took the lead for Senators with his 29th of the season at 15:35 in the opening period but Chicago rebounded in round-two to take over.
Bryan Bickell levelled the contest with his fiery shot at 5:14. It was Marian Hossa on the power play with the extra skater to score the tie-breaking shot nearly midway though, giving Chicago the well deserved win.
Hossa is a former Senators’ player himself and coming back is always special for him.
"It's always special to come to this building, this city where I still have lots of friends and know lots of people," Hossa said. "I have lots of great memories and this is another one now."
Chicago has two straight wins now and are definitely looking for their third against Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.
Ottawa on the other hand could be facing a tough time against Florida on Sunday as well, since Panthers will be looking to take revenge from a 6-2 shutdown in their previous meeting.
Tags: