We’re closing in on the one-month left mark — yes, really — of the 2016-17 NHL season. It’s been a year of surprises; specifically a few mediocre teams have played above expectations, causing divisional chaos.
NHL scores 2017: Injuries catch up to Senators in pivotal Eastern Conference loss
Ottawa was shut out in a game that could have put the team into a tie for first in the Atlantic.
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Take the Ottawa Senators, for example. They’ve got average goalscoring but have been doing really well with Craig Anderson and Mike Condon as the tandem in net. However, take away some of their biggest scoring threats due to injury — Bobby Ryan, Mike Hoffman, and Mark Stone — and you’ll get what happened to Ottawa on Friday.
It was an unfortunate time for the Senators to fall flat, as Ottawa was shut out by the the Eastern Conference’s last-place Hurricanes by a score of 3-0. The Senators have made use of the stalling of Montreal to climb to second place in the Atlantic, but they are a mere three points from falling out of playoff contention altogether.
The Eastern Conference is the closest we’ve seen in years, and Ottawa is staring down a big gap in its offense thanks to untimely injuries. Ryan hasn’t performed that well this year, with 24 points in 50 games, but losing him for four-to-six weeks still stings. The Senators will have to find alternate means of offense until their big players return, and it might mean a possible trade as the deadline looms.
Scores
Three Things We Learned
1. Washington is invincible at home
The Oilers gave it all they could, but the Capitals secured their franchise-tying 13th straight home victory on Friday in a 2-1 victory. The streak has been a big part of Washington’s surge to the top of the league, as it has absolutely poured it on since December. Mr. Clutch Justin Williams himself had the game-winner in the third, a top corner blister that Cam Talbot had no chance on.
2. The Flames are heating up at the right time
Also a bit worrisome for the Oilers is that their Pacific division rivals in Calgary are heating up (excuse the pun). The Flames are on a three-game win streak after besting the Panthers 4-2, and they are inching closer to a top-three spot in the Pacific.
Four different goal-scorers helped the Flames secure the win. The Panthers, meanwhile, wasted another opportunity to gain ground in the playoff race with their second straight loss. We’re really starting to get down to the wire, folks.
3. Eddie Lack still has it
The Hurricanes’ biggest downfall is no doubt their goaltending. Cam Ward showed flashes of capability earlier this year but has since fallen on old habits. Eddie Lack has been equally unimpressive this year, though he’s battled injuries along the way. Friday, however, was a step in the right direction, as the 29-year-old saved 34 shots in the shutout of the Senators.
It remains to be seen what the Hurricanes have planned in the future in net, but Lack’s performance on Friday was likely a real confidence booster for the backup.
Impact Moment
Jamie Benn is keeping the Stars’ boat afloat for the playoffs thanks to this absolutely skillful wraparound goal for his 21st of the year:
Stat of the Night
See More:
