Senators lose matinée game with Penguins despite Anderson heroics

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Penguins 3, Senators 2

PITTSBURGH – Their goaltending keeps them around in games, but too often, the Senators lose them in the end.

Such was the case here Saturday, as another virtuoso performance by Craig Anderson was wasted in a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh. The winning goal came off the stick of Christian Ehrhoff, who ripped a slap shot past Anderson with just 1:50 left in regulation.

Though they delivered a better-than-usual performance in an afternoon game, the Senators matinee record on the season fell to 0-2, after finishing last season 4-12-2 in games starting before 5 p.m. The Penguins outshot the Senators 33-29.

As a sidebar to the main story, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby ended his pointless string at three games, as it was a gorgeous backhand pass by Crosby that set up Ehrhoff.

Afternoon tilts have a tendency to begin slowly, as if rising out of a deep slumber, but this one ignited early on, when Penguins tough guy Zach Still nailed Senators centre Kyle Turris with a high hit. Turris was left sprawled on the ice and Senators winger Alex Chiasson instantly jumped in to fight Sill, and was bloodied for his trouble. Plus, Chiasson received an instigator penalty.

Sill received a rare major for interference, plus a game misconduct. By the time the ice chips settled, Mika Zibanejad was blasting a power play shot wide, which rimmed around the boards and turned into a breakaway for Evgeni Malkin, who had emerged from the penalty box. Good grief. Malkin made no mistake, beating Anderson on a deke before sliding into him.

The goal was scored at 4:17.

Turris returned to action before the first period was over, another opening period in which the Senators were outshot, this time 13-6. Anderson made a couple of game-saving stops, including two on Crosby from close range.

Two second-period goals staked the Senators to a lead. On an early power play, an Erik Karlsson shot deflected in off Milan Michalek, tying the game at one. That was at 1:13.

At 8:44 of the period, a slick pass from Bobby Ryan – even if it was slightly offside – sent Zibanejad in and his shot beat Marc-André Fleury in the five-hole. It was Ryan’s second assist of the afternoon.

In the ensuing minutes of one of Ottawa’s best second periods on the season, the Senators had several chances to build on their lead, including two close calls for Erik Condra, but failed to score. That set the table for a late power play goal late in the period, as Brandon Sutter deflected an Olli Maata shot to tied the game heading into the third period.

GAME FILE


WHY THEY LOST

The Penguins were clutch late in the game.

CHEERS

To another stellar performance by Anderson, one of the NHL’s most dependable goaltenders this season.

JEERS

To an overreaction on the Sill hit on Turris. Sill doesn’t get the benefit of doubt, apparently. Replays showed the initial contact was not the head, and Turris was able to return to action while Sill hit the showers after receiving a major and a game misconduct. Chances are he will not be suspended for this hit.

COWEN BENCHED

For the second straight game, defenceman Jared Cowen paid the price for having Marc Methot back in the lineup. Cowen was a healthy scratch for a sixth time this season.

“He hasn’t been at the calibre we’ve needed him to be,” said Senators head coach Paul MacLean. “We get a player like Marc Methot back in our lineup, somebody has to come out … and Mark Borowiecki has come in and played very well and deserves to stay in.”

“It comes down to numbers and Borowiecki has played a little more consistently, he’s been physical and better with the puck than Jared has been. We have to play the best guys.”

Meanwhile, winger Mark Stone’s foot injury was just a “comfort” element, MacLean said. Stone was hit by a shot on Thursday against the New York Islanders and was replaced by Zack Smith for the game here.

KLINK EFFECT

Col. Klink, as Rob Klinkhammer was affectionately known in Ottawa when he played 15 games for the Senators in 2011-112, faced his former team after being acquired via trade from Phoenix due to Pittsburgh’s injury crisis. Forwards Chris Kunitz, Pascal Dupuis (blood clot), Beau Bennett and Patric Hornqvist were all missing from the Penguins lineup Saturday. So was defenceman Kris Letang.


Ottawa Senators’ Mika Zibanejad (93) celebrates with teammates as he returns to the bench after his second-period goal during an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014.


Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin (71) celebrates his goal with Sidney Crosby (87) as Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) is shaken up on the play, but remained in the game, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar


Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin (71) collides with Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) while scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar


Pittsburgh Penguins’ Brandon Sutter, right, deflects a shot by Penguins’ Olli Maatta over the shoulder of Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) for a second-period goal during an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014.


Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) collides with Ottawa Senators’ Marc Methot (3) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014.


Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (87) looks for an open passing lane as Ottawa Senators’ Mike Hoffman (68) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014.


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