Sens Fortunate to Escape Last Eight Games With .500 Record

With last night’s 3-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes, it marked the first time since October 13th-18th that the Senators had lost three consecutive games in regulation. In the wake of these recent losses, many fans have been quick to place the blame at feet of referees like Dan O’Rourke and Tim Peel. As easy as it is to criticize les incompétentes for some recent incidents -- the labeling of Erik Karlsson as a diver, a Chris Phillips gloved puck in the crease that led to the incorrect awarding of a penalty shot and last night’s goaltender interference call on Nick Foligno that negated a goal – it simply overlooks the fact that Ottawa has not been playing good hockey of late. Going back their game against the New York Rangers on January 12th, Ottawa has won four of their past eight games. Although the Senators outscored the opposition 17 to 16 during this time, any honest Sens fan will admit to Ottawa being fortunate to have won as many games as it did. Not only were they outshot 2...