The Ottawa Senators lead the New Jersey Devils, 3-2, after two periods at Scotiabank Place.
The shots are tied, 20-20. The Devils outshot the Senators, 13-7, in the second period.
Trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Devils used their powerplay to tie the game. Martin Brodeur began the play, slowing the puck and passing to Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils left-winger sent a pass to Patrik Elias in the neutral zone, and Elias carried the puck into the offensive zone. Elias put a wrist shot on net, and Pascal Leclaire made the initial save with his glove. But the Senators goalie couldn't handle the puck, and it bounced behind him and into the net. It was Elias' fifth goal of the season.
Milan Michalek put the Senators ahead., 2-1, at 9:39 of the middle period. After winning a faceoff in the Devils zone, the Senators sent the puck to Chris Phillips. Phillips passed to Erik Kaarlson, who shot the puck toward the net. A defender blocked the puck down in the slot, where Michalek gained control. The Sens left-winger roofed a backhanded shot over an unsuspecting Brodeur for his sixth goal of the season.
Jarkko Ruutu extended the Senators lead, giving them a 3-1 cushion at 11:55 of the second period. After a turnover in the Devils zone, the Senators worked the puck behind the net. Ruutu battled for the puck along the side of the net and found the puck. He deflected a puck off Brodeur's arm and into the net for his second goal of the season.
Dainius Zubrus' powerplay goal cut the lead to 3-2 at 14:10 of the second period. With Sergei Gonchar in the box for hooking, Kovalchuk sent a pass from his blue line to Jamie Langenbrunner. The Devils' captain carried the puck toward the circle, then dished it to a wide-open Zubrus in the slot. Zubrus blasted a one-timer over the glove of Leclaire for his fourth goal of the season.
The Devils' powerplay, a measly 1-for-43 on the road in 13 games, is perfect tonight and 5-for-8 over the last two games.
With two assists in the period, Kovalchuk recorded his fourth multi-point game of the season and first since November 3.
The Senators are in a familiar position, as the team blew a 3-2 lead to the Rangers last night in the third period.