Three games into the season, and the Senators were finally back in the Canadian Tire Centre for their home opener. Tonight, they hosted the Colorado Avalanche and their high-powered offense full of young players.

The Senators found themselves down early in the first as Alex Tanguay opened the scoring only 1:25 into the first period giving the Avalanche a 1-0 lead. Shortly after that goal, the Avalanche took a devastating blow as goaltender Reto Berra went down with an injury forcing him to exit the game. AHL goaltender, Calvin Pickard would take over. With Semyon Varlamov being placed on IR earlier today, the Berra injury adds salt to the wound leaving the Avalanche very thin at the goaltender position until both return to full health.

The Avalanche took a commanding 3-1 lead through one period of play, but the Sens 'pesky' nature would not settle for a loss, and went on to score 4 unanswered, and stole one at home with a score of 5-3. This was by far the Senators best game of the season.

Few thoughts on the game:

- Craig Anderson looked uncomfortable early in the first, but settled in really nicely when the 2nd and 3rd period came along. Granted, his defensive units weren't much help either, but Anderson was able to hold the fort down while his team stormed back.

- Curtis Lazar is truly something else. The rookie has looked like everything the Senators could've hoped for thus far and more. Lazar seemed to have gotten his first NHL goal early in the 2nd, only to be reviewed and changed to Zack Smith's goal. Nonetheless, Lazar picked up his first NHL career point! 

- Bobby Ryan was finally resurrected in the three game grave he was in prior to tonight's game. Ryan scored a very odd goal, as he shot the puck from the left circle, while falling backwards, and somehow snuck it past Pickard. Regardless, it was Ryan's first goal of the season, and the crowd was very pleased as they followed with a 'Bobby' chant. Ryan's play significantly increased after that goal as well which is always a pleasing sign. 

- Calvin Pickard may have found himself in contention for save of the year here in Game 4. Okay, it may be a stretch, but it was truly a beauty. On a pretty sequence of passing from the Senators, Alex Chiasson gave Bobby Ryan a beauty at the doorstep only for Pickard to stick out his pad, and keep Ryan off the goal column [before Ryan's actual goal]. 

- It's still early in the season, it's understandable, but besides Erik Karlsson and Cody Ceci, this defense has looked atrocious. Cowen has already been scratched, Phillips looked terrible tonight, and Borowiecki looks like he's been a filler until something better comes around. *Cough Marc Methot cough*

-Curtis Lazar had a 75% Corsi tonight. That's very impressive for a rookie who was re-inserted into the lineup after being scratched last game.

- Senators are continuing to be outshot. Tonight, they were outshot 31-28 which isn't as bad as previous games, but it's still a reason for concern.

- Avalanche could not afford to lose Varlamov to begin with, but losing Berra as well? That's tough. Go, Calvin Pickard!

- In terms of penalties, this game was a bloodbath! Colorado was on the Powerplay 5 times (1/5), while Ottawa was on it 7 times (1/7)! Both teams must be better with the man advantage, considering opportunities like these won't present themselves every night. 

-Mark Stone has looked pretty darn good thus far for the Senators. These young players have really come to the NHL level to show they are here to stay.

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The Senators are back tomorrow as they host the New Jersey Devils, while the Avalanche rest up until their Saturday meeting with the Canadiens.

Three Stars of the Game: 

1st star: Clarke MacArthur
2nd star: Curtis Lazar
3rd star: Nathan MacKinnon