For the second night in the row the Ottawa Senators held a lead in the third period and collapsed late in the game, only to lose in a shootout 5-4. The Senators gave up three straight third period goals. For the first period and a half the Senators dominated the Devils to take a 3-0 lead and send Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur to the showers.

PHOTO CREDIT - Senators.com

Ottawa - December 9, 2011 - For the second night in the row the Ottawa Senators held a lead in the third period and collapsed late in the game, only to lose in a shootout 5-4. The Senators gave up three straight third period goals. For the first period and a half the Senators dominated the Devils to take a 3-0 lead and send Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur to the showers. Brodeur was pulled for Johan Hedberg after Daniel Alfreddson gave the Senators a three goal lead.

The power play is the main reason the Senators lost tonight’s game. Although, the Senators went one for four on the power play it was the two short-handed goals the Senators gave up when leading in the game that cost the Senators.

With the Senators ahead 3-0 in the second period and on the power play, Jason Spezza turned the puck over at centre ice which led to the Zach Parise goal. Spezza tried to pass the puck through a A. Henrique at centre ice instead of carrying the puck and making the safe play.

The Senators were then guilty of giving up another short-handed goal to the Devils three minutes into the third period when the they turned the puck over inside the Devils blueline to give up a two on one. Dainius Zubrus barried his eight goal of the season to make it a 3-2 game. With all the momentum the Devils then followed that up with two more goals to take the lead 4-3.

Ahead by the three goals and in control of the game, the Senators did not make good decisions on the power play, instead making high risk plays and taking chances instead of making the safe play. With a lead and on the road the Senators need to play much smarter with the lead.