Hammond pulls out all the stops in Senators victory

The Ottawa Senators and rookie Andrew Hammond  pulled out all the stops tonight holding off the Montreal Canadiens for a 4-2 victory.

Ottawa Senators 3^rd string goalie Andrew Hammond didn’t let his nerves get the best of him tonight, as he made his first NHL start.

The Canadiens lose defenseman Alexei Emelin early in the first period to an upper body injury after missing a check and falling awkwardly to the ice. The game would be scoreless after an entertaining first period, with the Senators outshooting the Canadiens 14-13.

The 2^nd period was just as thrilling. The Senators would break the scoreless tie midway in the 2^nd period as Milan Michalek knocks in the puck beating Dustin Tokarski between the legs. Just 8 seconds later the Canadiens tie it up as Max Pacioretty splits the defense to tie the game at one.

The Canadiens would also lose defenseman PK Subban as blocks a blast by Bobby Ryan, taking the shot in the foot. He would leave the ice but would return to start the 3^rd period.

Late in the period the Senators regain their one goal lead as Erik Karlsson feeds it to Jean Gabriel Pageau who redirects it in giving the Senators a 2-1 lead after two periods.

Midway in the 3^rd period, the Senators take their biggest lead on the power play. Erik Karlsson’s blast hits the post, Mark Stone jumps on the loose puck in the crease giving Ottawa  3-1 lead. With about 5 minutes left in regulation, Nathan Beualieu’s shot gets through for his first NHL goal as the Canadiens trailed 3-2.

Kyle Turris seals the victory with an empty net goal giving Ottawa 4-2 victory.

Hammond made 42 saves for the victory in his first NHL start.

The Senators next visit the Buffalo Sabres Friday.

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  Ottawa Senators goalie Andrew Hammond celebrates his first win in the NHL as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015 in Ottawa. Hammond made 42 saves as the Senators defeated the Canadiens 4-2. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Ottawa Senators right wing Mark Stone scores as Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty, goalie Dustin Tokarski , defenseman Tom Gilbert and Sentaors Kyle Turris look on during third period NHL action Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015 in Ottawa. The Senators defeated the Canadiens 4-2. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen ties up Montreal Canadiens center Lars Eller as goalie Andrew Hammond makes a save during first period NHL action Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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  Montreal Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski kicks out a diving shot from Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan during second period NHL action Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/THE CANADIAN PRESS)