Not only did the Senators lose 6-3 to Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in their first game back after a 10-day break, but they also played without goalkeeper Anton Forsberg and defenseman Jake Sanderson.
After appearing to sustain a right knee injury after his leg was twisted the wrong way on a goal by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins at 14:37 of the third that put this game away for the Oilers and ended the Senators’ four-game winning run, Forsberg was taken off the ice on a stretcher.
After sustaining a hit, Sanderson left the bench early in the third and did not return.
“There’s no update on either guy,” Ottawa coach D.J. Smith said after the game. “We’ll see (on Sunday).”
The crowd of 20,041 at the Canadian Tire Centre sat in stunned silence as Forsberg received medical attention before applauding him as he exited the rink.”It’s never a pleasant sight because he’s been great for us all year,” captain
Brady Tkachuk explained. “There’s no update, but I’m hoping it’s not as bad as it appeared.” I’m hoping and praying that it won’t be too bad.”
Because Cam Talbot is already out with a groin ailment, the club will have to recall Kevin Mandolese from its AHL affiliate in Belleville.
“With Talbot gone, (Sogaard) is in a tough spot here, but sometimes you get forced into these situations and you find out quickly.” “He’s a good goalie, and if (Forsberg) can’t go, he’ll get his chance,” Smith said.
Only Claude Giroux, Erik Brannstrom, and Alex Sanderson scored for the Senators, as Jack Campbell improved to 7-1-1 versus Ottawa.
Sitting idle didn’t help the Senators’ long playoff odds. The club went into the break six points out of the last East wildcard berth and awoke Saturday nine points behind. The toughest challenge for the club will be closing the deficit.
On Saturday, February 11, 2023, Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell (36) stops Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (57) during first period NHL play at the Canadian Tire Centre. MCGIHON, ERROL/Postmedia. ERROL MCGIHON PHOTO/POSTMEDIA
Derek Ryan and Jesse Puljujarvi scored in the third period in a 4:19 span to break a 3-3 tie and give the Oilers the win. Edmonton then shut the door and walked away with two points.
“A lot of things happened in the third period and that’s not a fun way to play the game,” Giroux said. “They have special players who make special plays, and I believe we did a good job of limiting their opportunities.” We felt good heading into the third, but then a lot of things happened.
Brannstrom scored his first goal in 121 games to cap a five-goal second quarter. At 17:58, he beat Campbell on the glove side to erase the Senators’ two-goal deficit and level the game 3-3 going into the third. Brannstrom’s first goal since February 25, 2021.”It had been a long time, so it was just nice to get one,” Brannstrom said.
Only seconds before, McDavid produced a fantastic shorthanded move to set up Ryan McLeod for a 3-1 Oilers lead. Giroux scored his 21st goal of the season, extending his goal streak to five games. On the power play, he took a feed and beat Campbell stick side.
McDavid cross-checked alternate captain Thomas Chabot off the play in the Ottawa zone and tossed the puck across to McLeod, who beat Forsberg at 13:35.
While Sanderson tied it up 1-1 only 21 seconds into the second period by taking a feed and shooting it past Campbell, the Oilers quickly regained the advantage. Only 1:23 later, Zach Hyman was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked by Alex DeBrincat while breaking in on Forsberg alone.
Hyman made no mistake with his backhand on Forsberg, and the Senators were back in the game.
The Senators were outshot 15-7 by the Oilers in the first period, trailing 1-0. The club was grateful to Forsberg, who came up with several key stops. It was no surprise that the Senators were rusty, which is to be expected after such a long hiatus.
