Senators Vs. Rangers, Game 4: Ottawa Gets 3-2 Overtime Win To Even Series

In a previous life, Rangers coach John Tortorella rode the mantra “Safe Is Death” to a Stanley Cup championship with an offensive team in a low-scoring era. That was before the lockout and new rule enforcement designed to open up the game.

These days, “safe” is the way for Torotorella, but it’s not without risk.

There was little Lundqvist could do on the shot, which whooshed past his glove and into the high right side of the net, but the swift zoom on the dejected King Henrik makes the GIF absolutely perfect for incorporation into your daily life.

The Senators are looking to even up the series, which heads back to New York on Saturday night.

Aided by a pair of man advantages in the third period, the Rangers pumped 11 shots at Anderson, who kept the Senators in the game. On the night, the Rangers are 2-of-7 on the power play, while the Senators are 1-of-5. Shots are now tied at 30 apiece, though Rangers skaters have blocked an additional 30 shots before they could get to Lundqvist.

With the Senators on the power play 10 minutes later, Spezza would go to the dressing room after taking a shot to the head from Staal, though no penalty was called on the play. Moments later, Gonchar’s shot from the point squeezed through Lundqvist’s left arm and trickled into the net for the game-tying goal with 2:10 to play in the period.

Through 40 minutes of action, the Senators hold a 21-19 edge in the shots department, with the Rangers blocking an additional 20 shots. Ottawa also has the edge in hits (21-15) and in the face-off circle (21-17). Both teams have had five power plays. New York is 2-of-5, while the Senators are 1-of-5.

The Rangers finished the first period 2-of-3 on the power play, while the Senators came up empty in their two opportunities with the man advantage. Both teams finished with 12 shots on goal in the first 20 minutes, with the Rangers blocking an additional 10 shots. Ottawa out-hit the Rangers (11-6) and had the edge in the faceoff circle (11-8), but New York leads where it matters most entering the second period.

For more on this series, visit Senators blog Silver Seven and Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. Stick with SB Nation NHL for more on the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

For more on this series, visit Senators blog Silver Seven and Rangers blog Blueshirt Banter. Stick with SB Nation NHL for more on the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Game time/date: 7:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Location: Scotiabank Place, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada