Karlsson's two goals lead Senators to OT win
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Erik Karlsson had two goals and an assist, including the game-winner in overtime on a 2-on-0 break, and Mike Condon made 39 saves as the Ottawa Senators won their fifth straight game with a 3-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night at Gila River Arena.
The win pulled Ottawa within two points of Montreal for first place in the Atlantic Division. The Senators have two games in hand.
Arizona got goals from Brendan Perlini and Lawson Crouse but blew a third-period lead to lose for the sixth time in its last eight games. Mike Smith made 28 saves for Arizona.
The Coyotes jumped on top when Tobias Rieder chipped a loose puck up the boards to a streaking Brendan Perlini on the left wing. Perlini used his speed to get a half step on the defense and snapped a shot through Condon's pads for a 1-0 lead at 11:30 of the second period for his 11th goal of the season.
It was Perlini's first goal in 11 games since he had two against Los Angeles on Feb. 16.
Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau tied it 41 seconds later when he corralled the rebound of Fredrik Claesson shot from the point and chipped it over Smith at 12:11. It was Pageau's ninth goal of the season and his third straight game with a goal.
Arizona regained the lead at 17:49 of the second period when Crouse blocked a Karlsson shot at one end and then emerged from a scrum with the puck at the other end. The 6-foor-4 Crouse used his long reach to wrap the puck around the far side of the net and in before Condon could get to the post for a 2-1 lead. It was his fourth goal of the season and first in 12 games.
Karlsson tied the score at 12:47 of the rebound when he was left unattended at the far post during a goal-mouth scramble. Smith made a terrific save on Pageau at the near post, but the puck squirted to Karlsson, who pushed it into an open net for his 12th goal of the season and second point of the night.
NOTES: Coyotes RW Radim Vrbata became the 310th player in NHL history to play in 1,000 games and the 12th to do so as a member of the Coyotes/Jets franchise. ... Senators C Kyle Turris missed his second straight game with a finger injury. Ottawa coach Guy Boucher said Turris could miss the team's entire three-game trip, which concludes Saturday in Denver. ... Senators D Mark Borowiecki missed the game with an undisclosed injury. Fredrik Claesson took his spot on the third defensive pairing alongside Chris Wideman. ... Senators RW Christopher DiDomenico made his NHL debut, playing on the third line with C Zack Smith and Ryan Dzingel. ... Coyotes D Kevin Connauton (upper body) and C Alexander Burmistrov (concussion) missed their third and fourth straight games, respectively. They are listed as day to day. ... Senators LW Clarke MacArthur (concussion), RW Chris Neil (finger) and RW Bobby Ryan (finger) are all on injured reserve. ... Coyotes C Brad Richardson (broken right tibia and fibula) is also on injured reserve.