Battle Of The Nation’s Capitals: Sens Play Well But Lose To Caps 2-1

Former Senators Jason York, now working for Sportsnet, tweets out an opinion about the Gonchar-less Senators during the game.

The Ottawa Senators managed to take the play to the Washington Capitals in the last two periods but just couldn’t capitalize on their chances that resulted in a 2-1 loss.

The first period started out a little slow for the team, but a goal in the last 30 seconds by Peter Regin – his first of the season – salvaged the period for the Senators. So when the team appears to play as a better cohesive unit without him in the line-up, it’s only more fuel to the fire of those Gonchar haters out there.

Defenceman Sergei Gonchar took a shot off the leg in the first period and didn’t return for the rest of the game, which makes the fact that the Senators started playing better after that a head-scratcher.

It’s no secret fans have been hard on him this season with some audible boos coming from the crowd when he was introduced at home opener. But his play hasn’t exactly been deserving of anything better.

Tomas Vokoun was the main reason the Capitals held on to their 2-1 lead from the first period, even after the Senators poured on the shots with 12 and 14 in the second and third periods respectively. He made one particular game-saver late in the game after Daniel Alfredsson had a point-blank chance after some nifty passing plays with Jason Spezza.

Erik Karlsson had another one of his “on” games again, logging 27 minutes of ice-time and playing well against the always-threatening Alex Ovechkin. Jared Cowen also had a physical moment with the Great 8 and contained him well along the boards.

Seeing the Senators play well but unable to come out with the win should be another trend fans will see this season. Along with the probably Jekyll and Hyde syndrome that will have them brutal one night and guns a-blazing the next, a loss after a good effort might be even more common.

Sometimes that’s all you can ask for during a rebuild. So Sens fans, do the easy thing and take it!