Not sure if Curtis Lazar ever said ‘Thank you.’ Then again, maybe that’s not a good idea.
The Ottawa Senators forward was gifted an easy opportunity for a breakaway and he made no mistake, scoring on Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen late in the second period, after a terrible giveaway by Ryan Getzlaf in the neutral zone.
Getzlaf made a lazy cross-ice pass, putting the puck right onto Lazar’s stick, sending him in on a breakaway. The rest, well, that’s been covered.
That gaffe occurred with the Ducks -- three points out of third place in the Pacific Division and four points out of a Wild Card spot in the West -- leading by a goal.
It appears that in the aftermath of that mistake, Ducks’ coach Bruce Boudreau tried to send a message to Getzlaf to begin the third period.
Getzlaf over the boards now 4:58 into third. Out with Stewart and Santorelli on fourth line.
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) January 14, 2016
Update: Getzlaf redeemed himself by setting up Shea Theodore’s first career NHL goal, which stood as the winner, as the Ducks scored three times in 3:29 late in the third period for a 4-1 victory.