The Ottawa Senators used their home ice advantage at Scotiabank Place to defeat the Buffalo Sabres for the second time in 8 days by a 2-0 margin, handing the Sabres their 8th loss of the season. Craig Anderson showed Buffalo why he was leading the league in both goals against average (1.49) and save percentage (.950) coming into tonight’s game.
With the win, Ottawa snaps their two game losing streak as they end their four game home stand while dealing Buffalo their consecutive loss.
Buffalo played a solid first period with all four lines putting some descent pressure on the Senators. Both Mikhail Grigorenko and Tyler Myers looked like being healthy scratches against the Bruins (the last two games for Myers), might have put an extra jump in their step as the team mates seemed on their game in the opening stanza. The Sabres outshot the Senators 13-7.
The second period started out much the same as the first with both teams having their fair share of scoring chances. With the help of three power play opportunities, Ottawa started stealing some of the momentum and would finally put the scoreboard to use.
With just over six minutes left in the second,Marc Methot got caught tripping Mikhail Grigorenko behind the Ottawa net. What started out as a positive situation for the Sabres ultimately led to a five minute defensive lapse that would eventually lead to the teams demise.
Just over a minute into the penalty, the Senators skated down the ice and after recieving a pass from Milan Michalek, Erik Karlsson slapped a shot from the top of the face off circle that beat Miller. It would be Karlsson’s team leading 6th goal of the season.
At the 17:14 mark the defensive woes continued for the Sabres. After a shot from Sergei Gonchar, Erik Condra skated in to the right of Ryan Miller and snapped home the rebound to make it 2-0.
Down by two to start the third, the Sabres looked for some steady offensive pressure but with a total of seven minor penalties handed out, it was difficult for the club to get any flow going. Buffalo put up 15 shots in the period but Anderson and the Ottawa defense was up to the task.
Ryan Miller once again did his part by holding his team close with his solid goaltending and the Sabres managed to throw 42 shots at the Senators net minder.
The Ottawa Senators get very little time to enjoy their victory and second shut out of the season as they head to the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh to face the Penguins Wednesday evening. On the other hand, the Sabres will have the next two days to regroup before they entertain the Boston Bruins Friday night.
With the victory the Senators (7-4-2) move five points ahead of the Sabres (5-8-1) and just two points behind Northeast Division leaders, the Boston Bruins.