Final
Sens hope to avoid third straight loss vs. Panthers
Mar 29, 2015 - 1:32 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Ottawa Senators hope to avoid what could be a critical third straight setback on Sunday evening as they host a Florida Panthers club also in search of two big points.The Senators have lost back-to-back games since winning seven in a row, with Saturday's overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs dropping them a point behind the Boston Bruins for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins, who have played one more game than the Sens, grabbed the advantage by beating the New York Rangers on Saturday.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are coming off their own overtime setback, losing to the Atlantic Division-leading Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, and are four points off Boston's pace.
The Sens perhaps missed an opportunity versus the Leafs, failing to hold a pair of two-goal leads in losing 4-3. Curtis Lazar, Mike Stone and Kyle Turris scored for the Senators.
Craig Anderson made his return to the lineup for the first time since March 10 and posted 27 stops in defeat. He has been battling a bruised hand.
"It's a 60-minute game and you have to play it out. You give teams time and space and it comes back to bite you," Anderson said.
Anderson was backed up by Chris Driedger on Saturday. Andrew Hammond, who has gone 14-1-1 to begin his NHL career, was sidelined due to a lower-body injury sustained versus San Jose on Monday.
The Panthers saw the Canadiens clinch a playoff spot with their 3-2 home win on Saturday, and a loss today could put a big dent in Florida's hopes for a postseason spot. The Panthers do get a chance to make up some ground as they conclude a five-game road trip on Tuesday versus Boston.
First, Florida will try to rebound after giving up the overtime winner while shorthanded at the 2:59 mark. The goal came seven seconds after Vincent Trocheck's penalty for hi-sticking.
Aleksander Barkov scored both goals and Jonathan Huberdeau picked up two assists for the Panthers, who had won three of four coming in. Roberto Luongo turned aside 22 shots in the loss, remaining at 399 career victories.
"He's there to protect us and save us. He definitely gave us a chance," Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell said of Luongo.
Saturday's loss came one day after leading goal-scorer Nick Bjugstad underwent season-ending back surgery. Bjugstad currently tops Florida with 24 goals through 72 games.
The Senators have won two of three versus the Panthers this season, taking eight of the past nine played at home.
- FLORIDA: 4
OTTAWA: 2
Final
Mar 29 7:41 PM - FLORIDA: 4
OTTAWA: 2
End of Regulation
Mar 29 7:41 PM - FLORIDA: 2
OTTAWA: 0
End of 2nd
Mar 29 6:46 PM - #1 Gators Fan Ouch. The Senators have just taken a major blow in the race with the Bruins for the last Wild Card spot in the East.
Panthers 2, Senators 0 2nd - 3:00Mar 29 6:40 PM - FLORIDA: 0
OTTAWA: 0
End of 1st
Mar 29 5:50 PM - FLORIDA: 0
OTTAWA: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Mar 29 5:11 PM
Related News
- GameDay CaterThread: Florida Panthers at Montreal Canadiens Mar 30
- Game 75 Hub: Ottawa Senators vs Philadelphia Flyers Mar 30
- Silver Seven is on the Move...Sort Of! Mar 30
- Lyon eyes wild card as Panthers stun Maple Leafs 3-2 in overtime Mar 30
- Thursday Links, News and Notes: Chabot Injury, Alternative Arena Locations Discussed, Toews (Maybe) Saying Goodbye and More Mar 30
- GameThread: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs Mar 29
- BSens Drop to the Basement Mar 29
- GameDay Caterwaul: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs Mar 29
- Canadian tire fire: Penalties kill Panthers in 5-2 loss to Senators Mar 28
- Prospect Update - March 28th Mar 28
- Sens tame Panthers 5-2 Mar 27
- GameThread: Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators Mar 27