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Ottawa Goalie Anderson Stops 2 Penalty Shots, Senators Beat Red Wings 2-1

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Detroit coach Jeff Blashill was quick to credit Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson.

Detroit Red Wings v Chicago Blackhawks
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 14: Head coach Jeff Blashill of the Detroit Red Wings smiles at linesman Steve Barton #59 during a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on January 14, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Anderson stopped two third-period penalty shots and Drake Batherson scored in his NHL debut to help the Senators beat the Red Wings 2-1 on Thursday night.

"Those are real players taking the penalty shots, so good for Craig Anderson," Blashill said. "He's been a good goalie in the league for a long time. He made two critical plays at critical moments."

Ottawa Senators v Tampa Bay Lightning
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 10: Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators makes a save during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on November 10, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Anderson stopped 34 shots in his NHL-leading 17th appearance of the season, allowing only Michael Rasmussen's goal.

Detroit had a chance to tie it midway through the third when Andreas Athanasiou was awarded a penalty shot after Cody Ceci held him on a breakaway. Anderson read the play well and made a pad save.

Ottawa Senators v Vegas Golden Knights
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 28: Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators takes a break during a stop in play in the second period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on October 28, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Senators 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Seven minutes later, Anderson came up big on another penalty shot after Rasmussen was pulled down by Chris Wideman. Anderson denied Rasmussen's attempt to go through the leg pads.

"You'd have to go back in the record books to see how many times that's happened," Anderson said. "It's one of those things. Stay focused, a call's a call and just get focused on that breakaway."

Chicago Blackhawks v Ottawa Senators
OTTAWA, ON - JANUARY 9: Cody Ceci #5 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at Canadian Tire Centre on January 9, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Ceci also scored for the Senators.

Jimmy Howard made 34 saves for Detroit. The Red Wings had won four in a row.

"The whole game in my opinion comes down to power play," Blashill said. "Our power play, when we had a chance to do something in the second period, we were no good on it and that's unacceptable and to me that's the whole difference."

Detroit Red Wings v New York Islanders
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 04: Mike Green #25 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates a first period goal against the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center on December 4, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Detroit tied it at 1 at 3:55 of the second when Mike Green fired a shot from the blue line that Rasmussen tipped in front. Ottawa regained the lead at 7:05 of the period on a power play goal when Batherson jumped on a loose puck off the faceoff and beat Howard.

"Coming in today and having all my family here to see my first goal in my first game was a lot of emotion," Batherson said. "I was pretty nervous, but more excited, and for that to happen was great. The crowd's reaction really did it for me. It was pretty loud after that. It's a day I'll never forget."

Chicago Blackhawks v Ottawa Senators
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 4: Zack Smith #15 steps onto the ice during player introductions prior to a game the Chicago Blackhawks at Canadian Tire Centre on October 4, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Notes: Zack Smith returned to Ottawa's lineup after missing nine games with facial fractures. Ottawa's Christian Jaros and Max McCormick and Detroit's Luke Witkowski were healthy scratches.

UP NEXT

Red Wings: At New Jersey on Saturday

Senators: Host Pittsburgh on Saturday night.

© 2018 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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