Gotta See It: Overshadowed by a shootout attempt that wasn’t scored against the Boston Bruins was an in-action breakaway that actually did result in a goal for the Ottawa Senators.
Winger Guillaume Latendresse, 25, caught a break in more ways than one Monday. With fellow Senators forward Milan Michalek sidelined with a setback (knee), Latendresse suited up for the first time since Jan. 30.
Riddled with injuries, the Quebec native had played only 27 games for the Minnesota Wild over the previous two seasons and, after signing to the Sens as a free agent, has missed more games (18) than he’s played (seven) due to whiplash.
“The expectation was he would be a top-six forward when we signed him — and that expectation hasn’t changed,” coach Paul MacLean said prior to puck drop Monday, providing a glimmer of foreshadowing.
Just 55 seconds into the game, on his very first shift, Latendresse takes a great long pass from Sergei Gonchar, blows past the Bruins’ Adam McQuaid on the outside, and beats Tuukka Rask backhand on a slick deke to score his first in a Senators uni and first goal period since Dec. 11, 2011.
What a comeback for Latendresse: Scores a highlight reel goal in his first shift back.
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) March 11, 2013
In an instant, fans were reminded that this a guy who, back in 2009-10, scored 25 goals in just 55 games.
“It was great for Guillaume. With the work that he’s put in, it was great to see him get a goal like that and get off the mark right away,” MacLean told reporters after the Sens’ shootout loss. A moustache complimenting/complementing a beard.
Latendresse looks pretty badass with that beard, not going to lie.
— Mike Obrand (@HabsLaughs) March 12, 2013