Sens could be without Alfredsson for Game 3

RANGERS at SENATORS
 
(Best-of-seven series tied 1-1)
 
TV: CBC, CNBC, RDS, MSG (HD)
 
Big Story: The Senators decided to take a different approach to Game 2 after losing Game 1. Coach Paul MacLean went with a tougher lineup, inserting defenseman Matt Carkner and forward Zenon Konopka, and the moves worked to perfection. Carkner jumped Brian Boyle at the start of the game, setting the tone while getting ejected and taking the Rangers' Brandon Dubinsky with him. The win came at what could be an expensive price -- Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson left the game after taking an elbow to the head from Carl Hagelin and may not be available for Game 3.

In response to what transpired in Game 2, Hagelin received a three-game suspension Sunday night, while Carkner was handed a one-game ban.
 
Team Scope:
 
Rangers: They were five minutes away from a 2-0 lead in the series before a fortunate bounce led to the Senators tying it late and forcing overtime, where Chris Neil won it 1:17 into the extra session.
 
The Senators' first goal was also fluky, as an Erik Karlsson centering pass from behind the net hit the skate of Rangers defenseman Michael Del Zotto and past goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
 
Despite the lucky hops, the Senators outplayed the Rangers for stretches, and Lundqvist knows his team needs to improve in Game 3.
 
"There are going to be bad bounces, but you just have to move on," Lundqvist told the Daily News on Sunday. "They're a good team and create a lot of chances. I knew going into this series it wasn't going to be easy, so we just have to forget about this one and get ready for the next one."
 
Senators: While the Ottawa holds its breath waiting for word on its captain, the Senators will likely ice the same bruising lineup it did in Game 2. Konopka, who assisted on the game-tying goal by Nick Foligno, expects the rest of this series to be equally as nasty.
 
"We thought that we could get more physical. We can play either way," Konopka said after Game 2. "We've got skill guys, we've got physical guys. We felt that we needed to be a little harder on their players and we were tonight. This is old-time hockey and that's how hockey is supposed to be played. There's going to be a lot of stitches and blood before it's done. This is going to be a great series."
 
Who's Hot: Rangers center Brian Boyle continued his goal-scoring barrage in Game 2. He has two goals in the series and seven goals in his past 11 games. … For the Senators, Nick Foligno has a goal and an assist in the series; Kyle Turris has a pair of assists.
 
Injury Report: Alfredsson remains the big question mark, and more on his status should be known after the morning skate Monday.
 
Stat Pack: Henrik Lundqvist is 1-6 in overtime games in his career. … Senators goalie Craig Anderson is 2-2.
 
Puck Drop: "Every team that makes the playoffs now can definitely win games. This isn't something we weren't prepared for. We wanted to win tonight, we wanted a 2-0 lead going back to them, but we're going to have to win games there. We have to take the good and learn from the bad." -- Rangers center Brad Richards

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