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Sens Choke Away Lead, Lose In Shootout

The Senators looked great for 2 periods tonight, before having one of the worst 3rd's in recent memory to fall to the New Jersey Devils in a shootout. Ottawa was up 3-0 and cruising before giving up 4 unanswered goals, including 2 shorthanded one's to go behind 4-3. Jesse Winchester saved the day, scoring with 4.9 seconds left in the game to rescue a much needed point, but the game has to be considered a disappointment regardless. Alex Auld remains win less this season and made zero saves in the shootout.

Other thoughts from the game:

Sergei Gonchar left the game in the 2nd and didn't return, making it even more likely that Carkner will suit up Saturday for the first time this season.
As a result of the Gonchar injury, rookie Jared Cowen played 31:42 tonight. Unbelievable! I thought he had maybe his best game as a pro.
Big fight between Zenon Konopka and Ottawa native Mark Fraser.
With his 18th goal tonight, Milan Michalek took over sole possession of the NHL goal scoring lead.
Nick Foligno scored a beauty again. He has 10 goals now this season. Impressive.
Alfie scored again too. He is clearly not his old self anymore but proves he can still contribute.
Alex Auld struggled again tonight. Not all of the goals were his fault but he never really made the big save. Including not making a stop in the shootout, though the first shooter Kovalchuk missed the net.
Parise showed what an all around player he is again tonight. I know many Sens fans are hoping he lands in Ottawa this offseason. I can't see Jersey letting him go.
Sens chased Marty Brodeur from the nets after the first. He never plays well against us for some reason.
Rundblad had a very weak attempt in the shootout.
Zack Smith was very quiet for him tonight. Fatigue perhaps?

Picture of the night is Chris Neil after taking a rough high stick to the face. It resulted in a lot of blood and a 4 minute powerplay for the Sens. It's been a rough couple of days for the Sens vet hasn't it?

With 31:42 worth of ice time tonight and being a +1, as well as being just a solid all around player, Jared Cowen wins the night for the first time.

Thoughts on the shootout loss?

2 Points The Hard Way

The Sens looked good for the win, but they coughed up a 2-0 lead late in the third, before ultimately getting the W in a shootout via Jason Spezza's hot stick. This was the Sens first win in Raleigh in 4 years, a place we typically play very poorly in, so it was nice to see a total team effort tonight in the 3-2 shootout win. It was Ottawa's first road win of the year and our 3rd win in a row total, bringing our season record to a very respectable 4-5.

Other thoughts from the game:

Anderson was pretty solid, except when he didn't play the puck on the first goal, but came through in the shootout.
Speaking of that first goal, what the hell were Cowen and Gonchar thinking by not playing the puck there?
Speaking of Gonchar, he looked better again tonight and had 2 assists and has 4 points in last 2 games.
I thought Kaspars Daugavins had a very nice game tonight. I wouldn't mind him staying a few more to see what he can do.
Da Costa was invisible, again. I'm not sure why he seems above being sent down to Bingo.
Speaking of being sent to Bingo, tonight was Mika's 9th game so the team has a decision to make. Stay in Ottawa or back to Sweden. I say he stays here. He had a couple of excellent defensive plays tonight.
A very nice shot and goal by 4th line guy Zenon Konopka tonight. Won some key faceoffs too.
I thought Rundblad has begun to be a lot better. Perhaps signs he will live up to his potential this season still.
Speaking of Rundblad, what a horrible call by the refs against him with just 2:37 left. Truly brutal.
Jason Spezza is on fire!
I continue to be impressed by Colin Greening's power forward potential. Condra, not so much.
EK65 was very quiet for him tonight.
Only a little over 12k in Raleigh tonight.

Tweet of the night: