Mark Stone couldn’t have picked a better time to snap a scoring drought.
Stone scored at 4:22 of overtime to give the Ottawa Senators a 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
Stone was able to put in his own rebound over a sprawling Tuuka Rask after being stopped the first time on a wraparound attempt. It was his first goal in nine games and there was no denying the relief he felt finally being able to contribute on the scoresheet after producing just two goals and one assist in his last 10 outings.
“As a line with Bobby (Ryan) and (Kyle) Turris we’ve been playing some pretty good hockey, but just not getting the results we’ve wanted,” said Stone. “Finally at the end we were able to capitalize.
“It was a big goal for us, we need those points.”
Mika Zibanejad also scored for the Senators (20-16-6) as Craig Anderson made 33 saves.
David Pastrnak picked up his third of the season while Rask stopped 38 shots for the Bruins (21-14-5), who were playing their second of a five-game road trip.
“We came out and competed hard so again not unhappy with our effort,” said Boston coach Claude Julien. “We had a chance to win this game. It could have easily gone the other way, so we’ll take the point and move on here.”
Much was expected from this game as it marked the return of Brad Marchand to the Bruins lineup after serving a three-game suspension for a hit on Ottawa’s Mark Borowiecki Dec. 29.
Prior to the game the Senators said their focus was on the game and not retaliation and they stayed true to their word as they played a hard, but smart game in front of 19,125 at Canadian Tire Centre.
Following the game Marchand said he wasn’t surprised the Senators didn’t look for payback.
“Hockey’s not really like that anymore. There’s no line brawls or guys taking liberties and what not. It’s just hockey,” he said.
With the game tied 1-1 Anderson and Rask were at their best in the third, forcing this one to overtime where both teams had a couple great chances before Stone scored the winner.
Anderson was critical of his play following a 3-2 loss to Florida Thursday night so he was more than pleased to rebound with a victory.
“For me it was just frustrating that we lost that game and (Saturday) we had an opportunity to rebound and get back on that horse and ride again,” said Anderson. “After reviewing the last couple games, even the Panther game, I knew that my game was where it needs to be and again just stick with it and good results would come from it.”
With time winding down in the third the Senators lost Ryan briefly after he fell awkwardly into the boards after being twisted by Torey Krug. He was able to return for overtime.
Trailing 1-0 the Bruins didn’t take long to tie the game as Pastrnak tipped a Zdeno Chara shot past Anderson in the opening minute of the second period.
A solid first period saw the two teams exchange a number of scoring chances, but it was the Senators who were able to strike first.
Milan Michalek made a great pass to Erik Karlsson and he fed Zibanejad, who beat Rask with a great backhand shot to take a 1-0 lead at the 13-minute mark.
With the Senators hitting the road for a five-game road trip starting Sunday in Washington, the team was thrilled to be leaving Ottawa on a winning note.
“It’s about momentum,” said Senators coach Dave Cameron. “You get a win, you play well and you get rewarded for playing well. It certainly should put you in a good mindset going in against the best team in the East. We’re going to have our hands full (Sunday) night.”
Notes: Ottawa D Jared Cowen and Chris Wideman as well as RW Alex Chiasson were healthy scratches for the Senators. The Bruins remain without David Krejci (upper body) and Adam McQuaid (upper body).
