Anderson, Hoffman help Senators answer the bell, force Game 5 with Canadiens
The Ottawa Senators have yet a fainting pulse. But it's life.
Craig Anderson made 28 saves for the shutout and Mike Hoffman chose the perfect time to net his first Stanley Cup playoffs goal, helping the Senators stave off elimination at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens with a 1-0 triumph in Game 4.
The contest was rather mundane, as the teams failed to engineer consistent attack, but it was exactly what the Senators needed. They survived, and the pressure shifts to the Canadiens, who need to take care of business at the Bell Centre.
Star Performer: Anderson wasn't forced into anything spectacular, but did everything that was required of him. He turned aside 21 shots in the first two periods before Hoffman broke the ice midway through the third.
Turning Point: He didn't even really make a save on the play, but Anderson gave the Sens a lift when he calmly collected the puck after Brandon Prust slammed it on the side of the net on a short-handed breakaway.
(Courtesy: NHL.com)
Goalie Comparison: Carey Price was fantastic. He stopped everything he saw, but didn't have a chance on Hoffman's goal with defenseman Tom Gilbert screening on a tie-up in front.
| Goalie | Shots | GA | Saves | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 32 | 1 | 231 | 0.969 |
| Anderson | 28 | 0 | 28 | 1.000 |
Top Highlight: You've heard about it enough. Here's Hoffman's snipe:
Stat of the Night: 86 games. Zero shutouts. The Senators are the only team to not be blanked all season, an accomplishment made even more impressive by the fact they've faced Price six times.
Series at a Glance:
Game 1: Canadiens 4, Senators 3
Game 2: Canadiens 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Game 3: Canadiens 2, Senators 1 (OT)
Game 4: Senators 1, Canadiens 0
Game 5: Friday, April 24, 7:00 p.m. ET
Game 6*: Sunday, April 26, TBD
Game 7*: Tuesday, April 28, TBD
*If necessary