08-23-2016, 12:05 PM
OTTAWA -- Johan Franzen has no explanation for his success in Ottawa, but cant deny he definitely enjoys playing in the nations capital. The Detroit Red Wings winger was at his best once again scoring three goals in a 6-1 win over the Ottawa Senators Thursday night. Franzen, who returned to the Red Wings lineup Wednesday after playing just one of the past 24 games due to a concussion, has previously enjoyed success against the Senators. In February 2011, Franzen scored five goals against the Senators. "I like playing here," said Franzen. "We have Erik Karlsson on the other side and we grew up in the same little town so its always fun to play him. Its something special every time. Im just happy to keep him from the scoreboard. Its always fun to play him." Detroit coach Mike Babcock is pleased to see Franzen having success. "Hes an important player for us," said Babcock. "He has the ability, he has the touch. Lots of guys play real hard and cant score (Franzen) can score." It appears he also has the ability to get under his opponents skin. Ottawas Chris Neil went after Franzen late in the game and while nothing came of it Franzen was less than impressed. "He tried to hit me and he couldnt move me so I think he got a little upset," said Franzen. "I have no clue. He usually shows up when the game is over and tries to be the hero. He puts his cape on and goes and flies out there. I dont know." Riley Sheahan, Tomas Jurco and Tomas Tatar also scored for Detroit. Jonas Gustavsson stopped 37 shots. With the win the Red Wings (28-20-12) have a five-point lead over the Senators (26-23-11) for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. "Coming back from the break and you start 2-0 its way better than the opposite way," said Babcock. "We know were in a battle for our playoff life. We understand that so getting off to a good start is imperative." The Senators had little explanation for their performance. "Its an extremely disappointing loss," said Ottawa captain Jason Spezza. "We knew that it was a very important game for us and to lose it by that score is obviously not what we were looking for." Bobby Ryan scored the lone goal for the Senators, who were playing their first game since the Olympic break. Robin Lehner allowed six goals on 15 shots before Andrew Hammond made his NHL debut, stopping all nine shots he faced. Things fell apart for the Senators in a nine-minute span in the first period. Ryan had a goal called back after it was ruled that he kicked it in and then the Senators leading goal scorer missed two great chances on the power play. Things began to unravel after the Red Wings scored on consecutive shots. Ottawas Cody Ceci gave the puck up deep in the Senators end as he made a no-look behind-the-back pass that landed right on the stick of Sheahan who ripped a shot past Lehner. Just 29 seconds later Franzen scored his first as he was left all alone to give Detroit a 2-0 lead. Franzen then made it 3-0 with a power-play goal as once again he was left alone, this time on the opposite side of the ice. Following the game Lehner could not hide his disappointment. "They got a few goals pretty fast and then it snowballed," said Lehner. "I think weve all got to do better in our zone and Ive got to do better. It was one of the most toughest games Ive played personally, but its over now. Theres not much to say." Detroit made it 4-0 on a delayed penalty call with two minutes remaining in the period. Niklas Kronwall, who finished with three assists, had a shot from just inside the blue-line deflected and ended up on Jurcos stick, who roofed it over Lehner. The 18,931 on hand at Canadian Tire Centre were so disappointed they booed the home team off the ice. Senators coach Paul MacLean had few words to explain his teams performance. "We played a lot better than the score maybe indicated, but the score is what it is and you cant change that," said MacLean. When asked who was the best player MacLean couldnt help but say "Johan Franzen I think. I think were all tied for the worst." Franzen completed his hat trick early in the second period. Ryan finally got the Senators on board at the four-minute mark of the second, but any celebration was short-lived as Detroit made it 6-1 as Tatar beat Lehner from in close. That marked the end of Lehners appearance, opening the door for Hammond to make his first NHL appearance. Craig Anderson was unavailable due to the birth of his second child. Despite the surprise appearance Hammond held his own and made a number of big saves. "Not letting anything in was a good start," said Hammond. "Any kid from Canada growing up playing hockey its their dream to play in the NHL and its pretty special for me to be one of those guys thats lucky enough now to say Ive played in the NHL. Its very special." This was the fourth and final meeting between the teams as they split the season series. Notes: D Patrick Wiercioch, D Joe Corvo and LW Matt Kassian were a healthy scratch for the Senatorsa RW Patrick Eaves, RW Todd Bertuzzi and RW Daniel Cleary were a healthy scratch for the Red Wingsa A number of Canadian Olympians were recognized prior to the game including Detroit head coach Mike Babcock and General Manager Ken Holland. Thursdays game marked Daniel Alfredssons second appearance at Canadian Tire Centre since signing with the Red Wings last summer. SUNRISE, Fla. - The New York Islanders blew a late lead, yet still managed to pull out their fifth straight win.Kyle Okposo scored the deciding goal in the shootout, and the Islanders outlasted the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Friday night.Nikolay Kulemin, Ryan Strome and John Tavares had goals in regulation for New York, and Jaroslav Halak stopped 35 shots. Frans Nielsen also scored in the shootout.Having the lead in the third period, leading 3-1, you want to finish the game, Halak said. We gave them hope to come back, and unfortunately for us they did.We found a way and stuck to the game plan.Aaron Ekblad, Jimmy Hayes and Brian Campbell scored for Florida, and Vincent Trocheck had two assists. Roberto Luongo made 30 saves.Jonathan Huberdeau scored the only goal in the shootout for Florida.It was a huge comeback for us, but Ive got to find a way to make some saves in the shootout, Luongo said. Its not acceptable for me to let in two.Leading 3-1, the Islanders seemed to be cruising to victory midway through the third period but the Panthers scored twice in the final 10 minutes to tie it.Florida closed to 3-2 on Campbells power-play goal at 9:58. Campbells shot went over Halaks left shoulder for his first of the season and first in 28 games.Ive been in a struggle, Campbell said. Its nice to feel Im starting to escape the last couple games and play the way Im capable of.The Panthers tied it with 2:35 left as Ekblads slap shot from just inside the blue line got past a screened Halak.For whatever reason, we stopped moving our feet, and it was just a lack of discipline, and it led to penalties, Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. Its the first time weve done it all year, really. Weve got to learn from it.The Islannders seemed to put the game away earlier in the third when they stretched their lead to 3-1 at 3:57.ddddddddddddJohnny Boychuks shot bounced off Luongos chest, and the goalie couldnt get a grip on the loose puck. It went under his pads, and Kulemin swept it in.The Islanders had trailed 1-0 but scored twice in 1:59 to take the lead.They got even at 13:09 of the second when Okposo passed the puck to Tavares in the right circle for a wrist shot that beat Luongo on the glove side.New York went ahead on Stromes breakaway goal. Strome took a nice pass from Thomas Hickey near the red line and came in alone. He put a wrist shot past Luongo with 4:52 left in the second.We just want to keep it going, Islanders forward Josh Bailey said. Its a long year, and when you get on a bit of a roll, you want to ride the wave as long as you can.An odd play came with three minutes left in the second. Floridas Aleksander Barkov shot the puck that Halak trapped between the back of his head and the crossbar. A video review confirmed that a goal wasnt scored.Hayes goal at 12:37 of the first was his third in three games and gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead.Trocheck made a behind-the-back pass from in back of the net to Hayes in front, and his shot got by Halak. The goal ended the Islanders shutout streak at 193 minutes, 48 seconds, the second longest in team history.The longest Islanders streak was 199:24, set in 1998.NOTES: Halak is 9-1 in 10 games against Florida and has won five in a row against the Panthers. ... Bailey returned after missing eight games with a hand injury. ... Luongo is now fifth on the NHL career list in saves. ... Panthers LW Sean Bergenheim missed his sixth game because of a lower-body injury. ' ' ' Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping
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