NEW YORK -- Two months after starting an improbable playoff push, the Ottawa Senators control their postseason destiny heading into the final game of the regular season.
If they either win or gain a point by going to overtime at Philadelphia, or if Boston loses in Tampa Bay, the Senators are in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Not bad for a team that was 14 points out of a wild-card playoff spot in early February.
The Senators gained control of their destiny Thursday night, getting goals from Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris in a 1:04 span late in the second period and a 26-save performance from the remarkable Andrew Hammond in a 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers.
"I think this is probably very improbable," Hammond said after his third shutout. "The good thing is myself and the team included have just taken it one game at a time. As big of a hill as it has been to climb, I don't think anyone has been overwhelmed at any stage. We've honestly just worried about each game as it has come, and tonight was no different. We'll worry about Saturday after this."
The Senators are 22-4-4 since Feb. 10, giving them 97 points in the now three-team race for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Boston's 4-2 loss to Florida and Detroit's overtime loss to Montreal clinched playoff spots for the Red Wings and Islanders, who each have 98 points.
The Senators are at 97, Pittsburgh is at 96 with two games to play (at home versus the Islanders on Friday and at Buffalo on Saturday) and Boston is at 95 with one to go, at Tampa Bay.
"I think when you look at it, we were a little bit down and out," Senators forward Mark Stone said. "I think we rallied and rallied behind a ton of different guys. Everybody just accepted a role and continued to get better at that role. A credit to our goaltender, a credit to our defense and a credit to our forwards. We just really jelled together as a group."
Hammond has been the difference for Ottawa. The 27-year-old is 19-1-2 since taking over as the starting goaltender on Feb. 8, and this win over the Presidents' Cup winners avenged his only loss.
"I think I took it a little personally getting pulled in the last game against them," Hammond said. "I think any time that happens, you want to make sure you have a really good effort the next game. That was important for the whole team to show we were a better club than last game."
Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored into an empty net with 1:39 to play.
Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves in seeing his four-game winning streak and the Rangers' five-game run stopped.
"I expected them to come harder but they waited for their chances," Lundqvist said. "They were smart. Once they got the lead they shut it down. You have to give it to them, it was their game."
The loss in their regular-season home finale prevented the Rangers (52-21-7) from breaking their franchise record for wins (52) and points (112), both set in 1993-94, the last time they won the Stanley Cup. New York will close its season at Washington on Saturday.
The Senators took the lead in the final three minutes of the second period, less than a minute after Hammond slid across the crease to make a pad stop on Kevin Hayes with the net wide open. All Hayes had to do was lift the puck, and he slid it into the goaltender.
MacArthur put the Senators ahead when he ripped a Stone pass from behind the net past Lundqvist from low in the left circle. It was his 16th goal of the season and third in the past six games.
Turris increased the margin 64 seconds later with a deflection of MacArthur's shot. The puck bounced on the ice after it was redirected, and Lundqvist made a snapping glove move to get a piece of it. However, it fell out of his glove, went over his shoulder and dropped into the net.
"We kept it simple," Turris said. "We played our game, a very methodical game. It's been like that -- finding a way for us during our run. And Hammond was so key for us again."
New York made its push in the opening 10 minutes of the third period, sending at least a half-dozen good scoring chances at Hammond.
Derick Brassard and James Sheppard had chances from the left circle, Carl Hagelin had a deflection in front, and Keith Yandle and Chris Kreider had hard shots that tested the goaltender.
The Senators had an apparent first-period goal by defenseman Patrick Wiercioch nullified when Mika Zibanejad was called for goaltender interference. The forward hit Lundqvist's skate with the shot en route, knocking the goaltender off balance and causing some concern about his left knee.
Game notes
Forwards Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello and D Marc Staal did not dress and are listed as day to day. It was the first game Staal missed this season. ... Rangers F Ryan Bourque made his NHL debut. ... The Rangers were presented the Presidents' Trophy for the league's best regular-season record. ... New York won the season series 2-1.
A. Hammond (Senators - G): Saves: 26, Save Pct.: 1.000
C. MacArthur (Senators - LW): Goals: 1, Assists: 1
K. Turris (Senators - C): Goals: 1, Assists: 1
* - A player receives a "plus" if he is on the ice when his Club scores an even-strength or shorthand goal. He receives a "minus" if he is on the ice for an even-strength or shorthand goal scored by the opposing Club. The difference in these numbers is considered the player's plus-minus statistic.
If they either win or gain a point by going to overtime at Philadelphia, or if Boston loses in Tampa Bay, the Senators are in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Not bad for a team that was 14 points out of a wild-card playoff spot in early February.
The Senators gained control of their destiny Thursday night, getting goals from Clarke MacArthur and Kyle Turris in a 1:04 span late in the second period and a 26-save performance from the remarkable Andrew Hammond in a 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers.
"I think this is probably very improbable," Hammond said after his third shutout. "The good thing is myself and the team included have just taken it one game at a time. As big of a hill as it has been to climb, I don't think anyone has been overwhelmed at any stage. We've honestly just worried about each game as it has come, and tonight was no different. We'll worry about Saturday after this."
The Senators are 22-4-4 since Feb. 10, giving them 97 points in the now three-team race for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Boston's 4-2 loss to Florida and Detroit's overtime loss to Montreal clinched playoff spots for the Red Wings and Islanders, who each have 98 points.
The Senators are at 97, Pittsburgh is at 96 with two games to play (at home versus the Islanders on Friday and at Buffalo on Saturday) and Boston is at 95 with one to go, at Tampa Bay.
"I think when you look at it, we were a little bit down and out," Senators forward Mark Stone said. "I think we rallied and rallied behind a ton of different guys. Everybody just accepted a role and continued to get better at that role. A credit to our goaltender, a credit to our defense and a credit to our forwards. We just really jelled together as a group."
Hammond has been the difference for Ottawa. The 27-year-old is 19-1-2 since taking over as the starting goaltender on Feb. 8, and this win over the Presidents' Cup winners avenged his only loss.
"I think I took it a little personally getting pulled in the last game against them," Hammond said. "I think any time that happens, you want to make sure you have a really good effort the next game. That was important for the whole team to show we were a better club than last game."
Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored into an empty net with 1:39 to play.
Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves in seeing his four-game winning streak and the Rangers' five-game run stopped.
"I expected them to come harder but they waited for their chances," Lundqvist said. "They were smart. Once they got the lead they shut it down. You have to give it to them, it was their game."
The loss in their regular-season home finale prevented the Rangers (52-21-7) from breaking their franchise record for wins (52) and points (112), both set in 1993-94, the last time they won the Stanley Cup. New York will close its season at Washington on Saturday.
The Senators took the lead in the final three minutes of the second period, less than a minute after Hammond slid across the crease to make a pad stop on Kevin Hayes with the net wide open. All Hayes had to do was lift the puck, and he slid it into the goaltender.
MacArthur put the Senators ahead when he ripped a Stone pass from behind the net past Lundqvist from low in the left circle. It was his 16th goal of the season and third in the past six games.
Turris increased the margin 64 seconds later with a deflection of MacArthur's shot. The puck bounced on the ice after it was redirected, and Lundqvist made a snapping glove move to get a piece of it. However, it fell out of his glove, went over his shoulder and dropped into the net.
"We kept it simple," Turris said. "We played our game, a very methodical game. It's been like that -- finding a way for us during our run. And Hammond was so key for us again."
New York made its push in the opening 10 minutes of the third period, sending at least a half-dozen good scoring chances at Hammond.
Derick Brassard and James Sheppard had chances from the left circle, Carl Hagelin had a deflection in front, and Keith Yandle and Chris Kreider had hard shots that tested the goaltender.
The Senators had an apparent first-period goal by defenseman Patrick Wiercioch nullified when Mika Zibanejad was called for goaltender interference. The forward hit Lundqvist's skate with the shot en route, knocking the goaltender off balance and causing some concern about his left knee.
Game notes
Forwards Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello and D Marc Staal did not dress and are listed as day to day. It was the first game Staal missed this season. ... Rangers F Ryan Bourque made his NHL debut. ... The Rangers were presented the Presidents' Trophy for the league's best regular-season record. ... New York won the season series 2-1.
7:00PM,EDT,April 9,2015
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
A. Hammond (Senators - G): Saves: 26, Save Pct.: 1.000C. MacArthur (Senators - LW): Goals: 1, Assists: 1K. Turris (Senators - C): Goals: 1, Assists: 1
Play-by-play data may not reflect changes made after the game has ended.
3rd Period Summary | ||
| Time | Team | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 | NY Rangers | Start of 3rd period |
| 0:00 | Ottawa | Kyle Turris won faceoff against Derek Stepan in neutral zone |
| 0:30 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by J.T. Miller saved by Andrew Hammond(Tip-In 13 ft) |
| 1:27 | NY Rangers | Dan Boyle shot blocked by Mark Borowiecki |
| 1:33 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Ryan Bourque saved by Andrew Hammond(Snap 26 ft) |
| 1:33 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Goalie Stopped |
| 1:33 | NY Rangers | Derick Brassard won faceoff against Jean-Gabriel Pageau in offensive zone |
| 1:46 | NY Rangers | Jesper Fast shot blocked by Cody Ceci |
| 1:55 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Keith Yandle saved by Andrew Hammond(Slapshot 47 ft) |
| 2:42 | Ottawa | Zack Smith credited with hit on Chris Summers in offensive zone |
| 3:02 | Ottawa | Shot missed by Mark Stone, Wide of Net(Wristshot 40 ft) |
| 3:19 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Chris Kreider saved by Andrew Hammond(Wristshot 52 ft) |
| 3:20 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Goalie Stopped |
| 3:20 | Ottawa | Mika Zibanejad won faceoff against Kevin Hayes in defensive zone |
| 3:32 | Ottawa | Bobby Ryan shot blocked by Ryan McDonagh |
| 3:32 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Puck Frozen |
| 3:32 | NY Rangers | Derek Stepan won faceoff against Mika Zibanejad in defensive zone |
| 4:11 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Derek Stepan saved by Andrew Hammond(Wristshot 81 ft) |
| 4:37 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Derick Brassard saved by Andrew Hammond(Wristshot 41 ft) |
| 4:48 | Ottawa | Jean-Gabriel Pageau credited with hit on Jesper Fast in defensive zone |
| 4:56 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by James Sheppard saved by Andrew Hammond(Snap 22 ft) |
| 4:57 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Puck in Netting |
| 4:57 | Ottawa | David Legwand won faceoff against Dominic Moore in defensive zone |
| 5:26 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Tanner Glass saved by Andrew Hammond(Snap 64 ft) |
| 5:26 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Goalie Stopped |
| 5:26 | Ottawa | Kyle Turris won faceoff against Kevin Hayes in defensive zone |
| 6:19 | Ottawa | Takeaway by Clarke MacArthur in defensive zone |
| 6:32 | Ottawa | Mark Stone shot blocked by Dan Girardi |
| 6:47 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Icing |
| 6:47 | NY Rangers | Derek Stepan won faceoff against Mike Hoffman in defensive zone |
| 7:01 | Ottawa | Shot missed by Mike Hoffman, Wide of Net(Wristshot 21 ft) |
| 7:04 | NY Rangers | Giveaway by Derek Stepan in defensive zone |
| 7:47 | Ottawa | Shot missed by Erik Condra, Wide of Net(Snap 35 ft) |
| 8:02 | Ottawa | Shot on goal by Curtis Lazar saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Tip-In 9 ft) |
| 8:10 | Ottawa | Shot on goal by Erik Karlsson saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Wrap-around 22 ft) |
| 8:15 | Ottawa | Shot on goal by Curtis Lazar saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Snap 18 ft) |
| 8:22 | NY Rangers | Tanner Glass credited with hit on Erik Condra in neutral zone |
| 8:47 | Ottawa | Mark Borowiecki credited with hit on Tanner Glass in offensive zone |
| 10:22 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Chris Kreider saved by Andrew Hammond(Slapshot 47 ft) |
| 10:23 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Goalie Stopped; TV timeout |
| 10:23 | Ottawa | Kyle Turris won faceoff against J.T. Miller in defensive zone |
| 10:54 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Puck in Netting |
| 10:54 | NY Rangers | Derick Brassard won faceoff against Mika Zibanejad in neutral zone |
| 11:09 | Ottawa | Shot on goal by Patrick Wiercioch saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Wristshot 100 ft) |
| 11:36 | NY Rangers | Chris Summers shot blocked by Mike Hoffman |
| 11:44 | NY Rangers | Dan Boyle shot blocked by Mika Zibanejad |
| 11:45 | Ottawa | Mika Zibanejad credited with hit on Chris Summers in neutral zone |
| 12:10 | Ottawa | Shot on goal by Curtis Lazar saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Snap 45 ft) |
| 12:22 | Ottawa | Shot on goal by Jean-Gabriel Pageau saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Wristshot 27 ft) |
| 12:22 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Goalie Stopped; TV timeout |
| 12:22 | NY Rangers | Dominic Moore won faceoff against David Legwand in defensive zone |
| 12:31 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Keith Yandle saved by Andrew Hammond(Wristshot 18 ft) |
| 12:32 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Goalie Stopped |
| 12:32 | Ottawa | Jean-Gabriel Pageau won faceoff against Kevin Hayes in defensive zone |
| 12:47 | Ottawa | Jean-Gabriel Pageau credited with hit on Kevin Hayes in offensive zone |
| 13:08 | Ottawa | Jean-Gabriel Pageau credited with hit on Matt Hunwick in neutral zone |
| 13:36 | NY Rangers | penalty to Derek Stepan 2 minutes for Tripping Patrick Wiercioch |
| 13:36 | Ottawa | Power play - Kyle Turris won faceoff against Dominic Moore in offensive zone |
| 14:04 | Ottawa | Power play - Shot on goal by Kyle Turris saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Wristshot 30 ft) |
| 14:12 | Ottawa | Power play - Shot on goal by Erik Karlsson saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Snap 28 ft) |
| 14:45 | Ottawa | Power play - Shot on goal by Erik Karlsson saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Wristshot 25 ft) |
| 14:50 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Referee or Linesman; Player Equipment |
| 14:50 | Ottawa | Power play - Mika Zibanejad won faceoff against Kevin Hayes in neutral zone |
| 15:12 | Ottawa | Power play - Shot missed by Mika Zibanejad, Wide of Net(Slapshot 51 ft) |
| 15:12 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Puck in Netting |
| 15:12 | Ottawa | Power play - Mika Zibanejad won faceoff against Dominic Moore in offensive zone |
| 15:53 | Ottawa | Shot on goal by Cody Ceci saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Slapshot 53 ft) |
| 16:17 | Ottawa | Shot on goal by Erik Condra saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Snap 23 ft) |
| 16:32 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Goalie Stopped; TV timeout |
| 16:32 | Ottawa | Kyle Turris won faceoff against Derick Brassard in offensive zone |
| 16:59 | NY Rangers | Shot missed by Ryan Bourque, Wide of Net(Tip-In 13 ft) |
| 17:24 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Icing; Visitor Timeout |
| 17:24 | NY Rangers | Derek Stepan won faceoff against Kyle Turris in offensive zone |
| 17:30 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Ryan McDonagh saved by Andrew Hammond(Wristshot 39 ft) |
| 17:33 | NY Rangers | Shot missed by J.T. Miller, Wide of Net(Wristshot 14 ft) |
| 17:49 | NY Rangers | Shot missed by J.T. Miller, Wide of Net(Tip-In 18 ft) |
| 18:00 | Ottawa | Giveaway by Clarke MacArthur in defensive zone |
| 18:01 | NY Rangers | Shot on goal by Derek Stepan saved by Andrew Hammond(Wristshot 23 ft) |
| 18:01 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Goalie Stopped |
| 18:01 | NY Rangers | Dominic Moore won faceoff against Jean-Gabriel Pageau in offensive zone |
| 18:12 | NY Rangers | Keith Yandle shot blocked by Curtis Lazar |
| 18:21 | Ottawa | Goal scored by Jean-Gabriel Pageau(Wristshot 79 ft) assisted by Curtis Lazar and Mark Borowiecki |
| 18:21 | NY Rangers | Dominic Moore won faceoff against David Legwand in neutral zone |
| 18:30 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Icing |
| 18:30 | NY Rangers | Dominic Moore won faceoff against David Legwand in defensive zone |
| 18:54 | Ottawa | Shot on goal by Zack Smith saved by Henrik Lundqvist(Backhand 11 ft) |
| 18:54 | NY Rangers | Stoppage - Goalie Stopped |
| 18:54 | NY Rangers | J.T. Miller won faceoff against Mika Zibanejad in defensive zone |
| 19:06 | NY Rangers | Chris Summers credited with hit on Mika Zibanejad in neutral zone |
| 19:20 | NY Rangers | Shot missed by J.T. Miller, Wide of Net(Snap 21 ft) |
| 19:28 | Ottawa | Takeaway by Mark Borowiecki in defensive zone |
| 20:00 | NY Rangers | End of 3rd period |
| 20:00 | NY Rangers | game-end |
Team Statistical Comparison
| Key: Ottawa NY Rangers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Player Summary
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Goaltending Summary
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* - A player receives a "plus" if he is on the ice when his Club scores an even-strength or shorthand goal. He receives a "minus" if he is on the ice for an even-strength or shorthand goal scored by the opposing Club. The difference in these numbers is considered the player's plus-minus statistic.
No comments:
Post a Comment