Gritty
I could watch Mike Fisher's OT goal over and over agin. What a beaut it was and what a perfect cap on a tale of perseverance on and off the ice for the Senators. Because not only did the players have to fight it out on the ice, but coach Cory Clouston had to find the right combinations in order to pull the back-from-behind move on Bruce Boudreau's Washington Capitals.
Clouston quickly realized that his normal first line couldn't bottle up the explosive Ovechkin line. Up to the first line came Mike Fisher, down to the second went Jason Spezza in the hopes of balancing both. There was some improvement, but Clouston quickly realized he had to switch defensive pairings as well. With this done, the Senators came out firing on all cylinders in the third period and paid the Caps back in their own coin.
Amazing once again was Filip Kuba who contributed three more assists, blocked shots, and did all the little things that make a great hockey player. Chris Phillips was another great blueliner whose main job was bottling up Alex Ovechkin. His talent at doing this was nowhere more apparent than during the OT when he slammed Ovie into the boards, just prior to his breakout and assist on the game-winning goal.
The work of Ryan Shannon, Peter Regin, and Jesse Winchester was impressive. They all played with speed, and determination and were rewarded. This has to have been Shannon's best game of the season so far, and this line may become more of a permanent thing. Milan Michalek was also instrumental once again, parking his butt in front of the crease and making a wonderful door in front of Caps goalie Semyon Varlamov. This perfect screen allowed Alexandre Picard's shot from the point to find the back of the net.
Brian Elliott was rock solid at the other end, and none of the Caps goals can be said to have been soft. His rebound control was great, and he robbed quite a few of the Capitals to keep the Sens within striking distance.
Most importantly, I think this victory will go a long way to cementing the team as a unit. The come-from-behind win showed a lot of determination against the Conference's first-place team, and secured the Division's top slot for the Sens. The types of games have an impact long after they're over.
Clouston quickly realized that his normal first line couldn't bottle up the explosive Ovechkin line. Up to the first line came Mike Fisher, down to the second went Jason Spezza in the hopes of balancing both. There was some improvement, but Clouston quickly realized he had to switch defensive pairings as well. With this done, the Senators came out firing on all cylinders in the third period and paid the Caps back in their own coin.
Amazing once again was Filip Kuba who contributed three more assists, blocked shots, and did all the little things that make a great hockey player. Chris Phillips was another great blueliner whose main job was bottling up Alex Ovechkin. His talent at doing this was nowhere more apparent than during the OT when he slammed Ovie into the boards, just prior to his breakout and assist on the game-winning goal.
The work of Ryan Shannon, Peter Regin, and Jesse Winchester was impressive. They all played with speed, and determination and were rewarded. This has to have been Shannon's best game of the season so far, and this line may become more of a permanent thing. Milan Michalek was also instrumental once again, parking his butt in front of the crease and making a wonderful door in front of Caps goalie Semyon Varlamov. This perfect screen allowed Alexandre Picard's shot from the point to find the back of the net.
Brian Elliott was rock solid at the other end, and none of the Caps goals can be said to have been soft. His rebound control was great, and he robbed quite a few of the Capitals to keep the Sens within striking distance.
Most importantly, I think this victory will go a long way to cementing the team as a unit. The come-from-behind win showed a lot of determination against the Conference's first-place team, and secured the Division's top slot for the Sens. The types of games have an impact long after they're over.
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