NHL Match Review Roundup for Friday March.26.2011 –Part 1
What an exciting Friday it was for NHL fans. Big teams that had become unbeatable closer to the playoffs got beaten by some low ranking teams.
This proves that it is always an unpredictable situation, especially when franchises are ready to do anything to get that postseason ticket.
Almost all the five matches that went down on Friday were Eastern Conference contests, except for one. A few expectations were met, while a few disappointments were made.
Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators
It was a match of both capitals from across the borders, Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals went head to head for the fourth and final time this season.
Washington might have dominated them the past three times, but Senators shut them out this time by 2-0 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario.
Ottawa certainly did turn some heads in the league when they locked down the second number team in the conference.
They may be the 15th number franchise in the East, but they are certainly not the weakest.
Senator’s goalie, Craig Anderson, made 31 rejections for his second shutout of the season, making it Washington’s 10th.
Colin Greening and Erik Condra both scored in the second and third period, respectively.
Greening registered his fourth of the season, 13:25 into the second. The match was delayed when they had to review the play multiple times to see if it counted.
"I felt like it was a goal but I have to say that as time went by and I was on the bench, I was thinking, 'Wow! Why is this taking so much time?" Senators centre Greening said.
Both teams got hot throughout the match and over 30 minutes in major penalties were given to players for fighting which started in the first and lasted till the end.
Zack Smith was awarded 10-minute misconduct for roughing up Capitals right wing, Matt Bradley.
Washington will fly out to Montreal on Saturday to face Canadiens on their last road game of the month.
They might play their third consecutive game without Captain Alex Ovechkin who is out with an upper-body injury.
Senators might not have any hope of making it to the playoffs now, but they certainly can start to improve themselves and use these big games as a benchmark.
They start their three-game road trip on Sunday against Atlanta Thrashers.
Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres
The re-energized Sabres became closer to clinching a playoff spot after they defeated Florida Panthers at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York, by 4-2.
Their new owner, Terry Pegula, couldn’t have been happier, watching his team secure a playoff spot after a below the borderline season.
Jason Pominville gave Sabres an early lead when he capped one through opposing goalie Tomas Vokoun in the opening two minutes of the first.
Sergei Samsonov responded a few minutes later to tie it up as he capitalised on Ryan Miller whose guard was down at that point. Miller played well for Buffalo, making 22 saves.
Drew Stafford made the tie breaker early in the second, only to extend it later in the third, 13 seconds after Jordan Leopold redirected Pominville’s shot during a power play.
Panthers were three behind halfway through the final period.
Evgeni Dadonov scored his seventh of the season with three seconds remaining to lessen the gap, but of no use.
"It was really important how we responded to the third goal by going out and going after it again," Buffalo goalie Miller said.
Florida stands 14th in the Eastern Conference with 68 points. With only seven games remaining, it looks like they will not be making it to the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season.
Buffalo stands strong in eighth position with 83 points. They face New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
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