Recap: Senators shutout the Blackhawks 2-0

The Senators shut out the Blackhawks on Thursday night to extend their win streak to four games.

“I thought we played pretty well; we got saves when we needed them, got a shorthanded goal to start it, and some production from different people,” said interim head coach Jacques Martin. “Kleven gave us a good game. I really like how he handled himself; he showed good poise.”

The short-handed goal came early as the game started, and immediately the Senators found themselves on the penalty kill when Artem Zub was called for interference just nine seconds into the game.

On that power play, Claude Giroux took a pass from Jacob Bernard-Docker and wired home a shot on the far side of Petr Mrazek to open the scoring.

Just over five minutes later, Parker Kelly grabbed a turnover just below the face-off circle and banked in his eighth of the season to give the Senators a 2-0 lead.

The Senators locked down the Blackhawks for the rest of the period, allowing only five shots outside the first minute of play.

“We’re doing the right thing, we’re playing the right way,” said Giroux. “We were just trying to be above them, making sure we don’t give them much. I think the defense did a good job moving the puck up, and overall I think we all played a pretty solid game.”

Ottawa generated several quality chances across 11 shots in the second period, but the two-goal lead was held by Mrazek. The best chance came off an Artem Zub point shot that clanged off the left goal post. Meanwhile, Chicago had limited chances, and their best scoring chance was thwarted by a gutsy Parker Kelly block.

"I think I got a little bit lucky there... it could have been the teeth," Kelly described his blocked shot, which ricocheted into his face. "As soon as it happens, you kind of go into shock so there is no sense laying on the ice; may as well go to the bench and get it looked at.”

The third period opened with another key penalty kill for the Senators after a penalty in the first two minutes. Again, the Senators' team defensive structure held the Blackhawks to only 6 shots in the third period.

"The last three or four games here, we've played really well both offensively and defensively," said Forsberg. "Tonight it was pretty much a perfect game for us where we created some scoring chances and didn't give up many chances."

In the final minutes with the Chicago net empty for an extra attacker, the Senators had two chances to add to their lead, but both also hit the post.

The Senators will take their win on the road to WInnipeg for a Saturday night match-up at 7 p.m. on CItyTV and Sportnet West.