The Panthers went on the power play almost immediately when Tomas Kopecky drew a high-sticking penalty on Sergei Gonchar. The man advantage was wasted without the Panthers getting any serious opportunities.
Ottawa got on the board first with a power play wrister by Chris Neil with assists from Erik Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson after Shawn Matthias was called for tripping Colin Greening at the seven minute mark. It was Neil’s fourth goal of the season.
Matthias almost tied it up two minutes later with a wrister from 14 feet but former Panther Craig Anderson gloved it easily.
Just before intermission, the Panthers started a two minute power play when the Senators were called for a bench penalty: too many men on the ice, served by Bobby Butler.
Even though the Panthers outshot the Senators 10 to six in the first period, they never really got into any rhythm offensively. They skate into the first intermission down one goal to none.
Hits: Ottawa, 9-8
Blocked Shots: Ottawa, 8-7
Faceoffs: Ottawa 11-7
Shots On Goal: Florida, 10-6
Score: Ottawa 1, Florida 0