Thursday, May 9, 2013

Ottawa/Montreal Game 5

The Ottawa Senators won their first playoff series since the 2006-07 season when they went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.

They did it behind the amazing play of goalie Craig Anderson.  He made 171 saves on 180 shots and only allowed nine goals in five games.

The Senators took an early 1-0 lead on the Montreal Canadiens.  Peter Budaj made the initial save on Zack Smith, but Smith put the rebound into the back of the net.

The Canadiens seemed to be buzzing after that and even hit the post twice during one offensive sequence.  Anderson seemed to be stopping everything that was thrown on net.

Then, the Senators got the puck and skated it into the offensive zone.  Cory Conacher put the Sens up 2-0 after the puck went off Jean-Gabriel Pageau's skate, and then bounced off the post. The puck bounced to Conacher, who was in perfect position to put the puck in the back of the net.

The Canadiens finally scored with 15 seconds left in the first period.  Daniel Alfredsson took the interference penalty and P.K. Subban capitalized on the ensuing power play.  The Senators led 2-1 after the first period.

The score remained 2-1 until the 11:29 mark of the second period when the Sens scored a shorthanded goal.  The Canadiens misconnected on a pass and the Sens skated down the ice.  

Erik Condra was pushed into the goalie and not given a chance to get out of the crease while Kyle Turris took the shot and scored.  The goal was reviewed but stood.

Daniel Alfredsson, Conacher and Condra each scored a power play goal in the third period.  The Canadiens needed a better effort from Budaj, but didn't get it.

The Senators will face the winner of the Pittsburgh Penguins/New York Islanders series.




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