Ottawa Senators vs. Florida Panthers 4-3 -NHL Thursday night Match Analysis
The Ottawa Senators are continuing their domination of whatever competition approaches them with their third straight victory over the third place, Florida Panthers, 4-3, in overtime, Thursday night, December 22, 2011, at the sold-out Scotiabank Place in
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Ottawa is better than ever before since the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season kicked off as their offensive guns have begun scoring big time goals, which has bumped them up in the Eastern Conference to the seventh position with 38 points.
The past season was certainly a disappointment for the team, but it was due to the lack of healthy players on their team which obviously put them at a disadvantage, but now with a ready to go roster, the Senators are back in business.
Having captain, Daniel Alfredsson, back on the roster has given Ottawa a much needed boost in their performance with the veteran leadership. Staying healthy will definitely something Ottawa will need for him as the season continues to progress.
"I think health-wise, I feel like I'm skating and getting up and down the ice at the rate I'd like to," Alfredsson said. "It's nice to be able to join the rushes and be back for the back check. Playing with (Spezza), of course that helps – he finds the
open guys, and opens things up for me."
Chris Neil opened the scoring with his fourth of the season and Ottawa’s first of the night on a power play opportunity when Florida’s, Shawn Matthias, was booked at the 6:44 mark for tripping resulting in a minor penalty.
Ottawa managed to kill of an early penalty as Sergei Gonchar was called for high-sticking only 17 seconds in, which could have put the Senators momentum off right into the match.
Michal Repik inaugurated his scoring of the season with the first Florida goal as well as his nearly midway through the second period, making it the second straight added man advantage shot with this time, Ottawa being at the disadvantage.
The Senators and Panthers realised a little late that they needed to take control and start some scoring as Daniel Alfredsson potted his 10th on another power play when Krys Barch on the benches for roughing but Shawn Matthias was quick to answer
and levelled the contest once again on their first and last added man advantage of the period.
Erik Karlsson put Ottawa ahead once again nearly midway through on an assist by the veteran captain, which had the sold-out crowd on the edge of their seats as they hoped to keep the lead to finish of the match right then and there but Tomas Kopecky made
a miraculous game-winner with less than two minutes remaining to force an overtime extension.
Florida missed one of their top players, Stephen Weiss, during the first period due to an undisclosed upper-body injury after being roughed up by the Senators, which could have him out in the upcoming days.
"He's not going to play (Friday) night so he'll be out through the holidays and we'll evaluate him (Friday)," Florida Panthers coach, Kevin Dineen, said. "But he's sorely missed. He plays a lot of valuable minutes for us. I'd be very surprised to see him
early after the Christmas break."
Ottawa is eyeing a fourth straight victory against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday while Panthers will be paying a visit to conference leaders, the Boston Bruins, the same day.
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