I think I’m about to learn who a lot of different players are (up to twelve entering tonight).
The Final:
Senators 6, Maple Leafs 5 (OT)
How It Happened:
The Senators were down big. Big big. 5-1. The second period wasn’t quite over. Marcus Högberg was, through his own fault or circumstance, letting pucks in the net.
But before the period was up, in the waning seconds, Nick Paul forced the issue into the Leafs’ zone, and Austin Watson intercepted a clearance, and Paul hammered home the Senators’ second goal, all while the Sens were shorthanded.
A minute into the third, it was more of the same, with Artem Zub deking out Frederik Andersen to score his first NHL goal on the breakaway.
By the time the clock read 14:00, it was a one-goal contest. Connor Brown rocketed a one-timer from Colin White past Andersen. A game had been established.
But it wasn’t until two minutes remained in the third period that Evgenii Dadonov batted in a floater off an Andersen save to send the game to overtime.
Minutes later, it was done. Mitch Marner, who’d had a few good chances Högberg (a brick wall by this point) stopped, was denied again, and the resulting outlet passes cleared Dadonov for a breakaway winner. 6-5 Senators. Jubilation.
Any Fights?
Yes! Brady Tkachuk mixed it up with Jake Muzzin, and with Andersen a bit too. One of those where Andersen wasn’t appreciating Tkachuk’s presence around the crease. Tkachuk ended up on top of Muzzin, but it was pretty chaotic, so Leafs fans, whom I’m getting the impression I shouldn’t like, will probably call it a draw.
Standings:
Moving up! (In points, not places.)
The Flames lead the Canucks 3-2 as I write this, but that isn’t included in here.
Toronto: 24 points, 16 games played
Montreal: 20 points, 15 games played
Winnipeg: 19 points, 15 games played
Edmonton: 18 points, 17 games played
Calgary: 15 points, 14 games played
Vancouver: 14 points, 18 games played
YOUR BELOVED OTTAWA SENATORS: 9 points, 17 games played
Look out, Vancouver.
Senators News:
One of the dudes the Senators traded away got flipped to the Leafs.
Senators Thoughts:
Great win. Wow. Leafs are good. In Toronto. After being down by so much. I know nothing (well, next to nothing by now) about hockey, and I know this was a huge one.
What’s Next:
Rematch in Toronto Wednesday night. Leafs are gonna be coming for the fellas. Hope the fellas are ready.
