Playing the second half of a back-to-back, and behind enemy lines, the Senators would have to compete with fatigue above all else in this one. After a spirited meeting with the cream of the eastern conference Capitals, Ottawa would really need to tap into that bitter sense of rivalry against their provincial foes. Alas, I will forgive anyone who mistook this hockey game for an evening in a museum—or a mausoleum. Neither team really fired on all cylinders and while both goaltenders performed admirably, neither had to stand on his respective head.
Initially it looked as though a high-flying, guns-a-blazing game awaited us as William Nylander broke out all alone for a quality chance on Craig Anderson in the first minute.