OTTAWA -- Nothing heals quite like a win streak. Erik Karlsson and the Ottawa Senators felt good after their 3-1 defeat of the Washington Capitals on Monday, their first back-to-back victory in 51 days and their first three-game winning streak at the Canadian Tire Centre this season. "It feels really good I think," said Karlsson, who was on the ice for nearly 30 minutes. "We really wanted to win this game and they came out pretty hard in the first and had us at the backs for a while, but I think we stuck to it and we were confident that if we just did the things we needed to do we would come out successful." Once again the Senators gave up the first goal, but a couple of highlight-reel goals and strong goaltending was enough to earn the victory. Craig Anderson, now riding a three-game winning streak, was at his best on this night stopping 34 shots. "We battled all night," said Anderson. "We made some mistakes, but its what happened after that. We battled hard; we back-checked hard; we found ways to keep guys from getting to the net. Thats the difference in the game. "I liked our fight and I liked our work ethic and that went a long way to getting us two points." Kyle Turris, Mika Zibanejad and Clarke MacArthur, with an empty-net goal, scored for Ottawa (17-18-7). Joel Ward scored the lone goal for the Capitals (20-15-5), who have now lost back-to-back games. Phillip Grubauer, making his fourth straight start, faced 38 shots. Ottawa took a 2-1 lead on Turriss tenth goal of the season. He cut through the Washington defence and deked Grubauer for a wide open left side, leaving the 20,193 on hand stunned. "I knew I got hooked, but I think it helped me fake the goalie out," said Turris. "I dont think (Grubauer) thought I would be able to get it to my forehand so it kind of faked him at the same time delaying it." Anderson was solid stopping all 14 shots he faced in the second as the Capitals did all they could to tie things up. Ottawa held on to its 2-1 lead with solid play in the third period. With just over two minutes remaining Anderson made a great glove save on Eric Fehr to preserve the lead. "We had great chances to score goals, but we didnt," said Washingtons Alexander Ovechkin, who is now pointless in his last four games. "We hit crossbars, posts and he makes a good save and of course when you make a goalie hot hes going to play hot." This was easily one of Andersons better performances of the season, but he was quick to point out the play of his teammates as a factor in his success. Anderson talked about the teams penalty kill, shot blocking and play along the boards as keys to the victory. "Its stuff that doesnt always show up on the scoresheet like goals and assists do," said Anderson. "Its those little things that make a difference in a game and a lot of people dont realize that, but we definitely recognize it in the room here." MacArthur added an empty-net goal with 34 seconds remaining after Erik Karlsson gave him the wide open net to put an end to a 10-game scoring drought. "I saw he was there and he hasnt scored in a couple games so I knew it was the right thing to do," said Karlsson of the passing play. The Senators got off to a rough start in the first period as Ward opened the scoring on Washingtons second shot of the game 2:11 into the game. Ward put a shot on net and -- unfortunately for Anderson -- the puck went off the goaltenders stick and in. It was the only downside to an otherwise outstanding performance by Anderson. Ottawa lost Chris Neil midway through the first after a collision with Ovechkin. The play looked innocent enough, but left Neil with a lower body injury. Senators head coach Paul MacLean said the injury appears to be something more serious than day-to-day, but Neil will need to undergo further evaluation before a timeline can be set. Ovechkin felt he took the worst of the collision and feels the league should review the incident. He was disappointed that nothing was called on the play. "I think four guys out there didnt do their job. I think they started celebrating New Years too early, right before the game," said Ovechkin. "They didnt see headshots on Neil against me. "I felt like he going to hit me shoulder to shoulder. I was ready for it, but he hit right in my head, right in chin. Ottawa tied the game 1-1 at the 13-minute mark of the first as Zibanejad and Cory Conacher put together a passing play. The two broke in on a 2-on-1 and had a give-and-go before Zibanejad had the easy tap in. Zibanejad has played at centre as Jason Spezza has been sidelined the last two games with a lower body injury and the 20-year-old is making the most of the opportunity. "Mika has come in and played centre and given us some big minutes and played very well," said Senators coach Paul MacLean. Notes: C Jason Spezza and D Chris Phillips missed a second straight game with a lower body injury. D Eric Gryba was a healthy scratch for the Senators. a The Capitals continue to deal with trade demands from a number of players, including goalie Michal Neuvirth who was a healthy scratch. C Brooks Laich missed his third straight game with a strained groin. D Alexander Urbom was a healthy scratch. . The 20-year-old Barkley, whose impressive form this season could earn him a place in Englands World Cup squad, was hurt in Evertons 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup on Jan. . The Argentine midfielder made the announcement himself on Twitter on Tuesday and posted a picture of his swollen left foot. His message said he would be out "at least three weeks.
https://www.cheapblackhawks.com/.C. -- Theyll remember the OT from the first Syracuse-Duke game -- and the Ts that decided Round 2. . Catch the game on TSN starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also listen to all the action live on TSN 1050 at 7pm et. The Knicks are two games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference race. . The veteran NFL receiver received his work permit and is in Montreal for the start of the Alouettes rookie camp. Johnson even took in the Montreal Canadiens Game 5 win over the New York Rangers at the Bell Centre Tuesday night.Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week, they discuss preparations for the Rio Olympics, the exciting first round of the NBA playoffs, Mike Keenan victorious in Russia and the prolonged wait for the NFL Draft finally coming to an end. Bruce Arthur, Toronto Star My thumb is down to the International Olympic Committee and…I know, I know…you feel like weve been here before, but this is a new frontier because the concept of an Olympics in Rio was new when the IOC awarded Brazil the 2016 games seven years ago. Concerns about readiness, inequality and about the way the country might react? Dont worry! Rio! Now with two years to go, the IOC is shocked…shocked…to find that they gambled on a country that hasnt built the establishment. Seriously, Rio is in major organization trouble with whole complexes unbuilt and with public unrest still simmering, the IOC is lamenting the fact that they cant employ Beijing-style slave labour. Theyre blaming it on Rio. Guess who they should be blaming instead? Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun My thumb is up to the first round of the playoffs and Im not talking about the Stanley Cup playoffs, which have been marvelous, as usual. Im talking about the NBA playoffs, where, normally, the first round is about favourites winning and not much else, but not this year. A last-second three by the sensational Damian Lillard of Portland meant there were five Game 7s in the first round, instead of a record-breaking six. There have been eight overtime games and the road team has won 21 of the first 36 playoff games - this from a league that usually sees the home teams win 70 per cent of the time.ddddddddddddAnd, of course, there is Game 7 in Toronto today with the possibility of 2 million people watching on TV. If this isnt fun, I dont know what is. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated My thumb is up to Mike Keenan, who reminds us that a coach is a coach is a coach, no matter the team or the time zone. Keenan always dreamed of winning a Cup, although probably not the Gagarin Cup. Two decades after the New York Rangers memorable Stanley Cup run, Iron Mike did it again on the far side of the erstwhile Iron Curtain, coaching the KHLs Metallurg Magnitogorsk to a Game 7 win over Lev Prague. Note one striking similarity in the championships: as he did after beating the Vancouver Canucks in 94, Keenan celebrated in the dressing room by singing karaoke - this time in Russian, of course. The Red Army choir is not giving up its day job. Dave Hodge, TSN My thumb is up to May 8, which is coming soon - on Thursday - and thats why my thumb is up, because when May 8 finally arrives, it brings with it the National Football League Draft…finally. Did I say "finally?" When the NFL moved the draft from April to May, we might have known wed be sick of mock drafts by now. There is actual analysis that proclaims winners and losers of mock drafts! Ive heard so much about Jadeveon Clowneys awesome talent and alleged laziness that Im sure there are two Jadeveon Clowneys. Im not sure if the Houston Texans will take one of them or which one or if the Texans will take Johnny Manziel or if theyll trade down - I only know they cant trade up and I dont care anymore what they do, I just want them to do it. On May 8. ' ' '
