Three times the Ottawa Senators fell behind, and three times they came back and tied the game. Unfortunately, the fourth time there was no chance to come back because the game had hit sudden death overtime, where Daniel Sedin got free and buried a pass from brother Henrik to end it.

The Senators got a point that they didn't really deserve based on the way they were outplayed for much of the night, and that point in the standings can go under the column of "Thank You Craig".

Craig Anderson had one of his lowest save percentage games (.892), but for my money he made more spectacular saves that kept his team in the game than any other night this season.

Here are some random thoughts on the game:

* People keep referring to the Kid Line as the 3rd or even 4th line because of their playing time. Well, scratch that, because in terms of effectiveness, there isn't a line that does more with their time on the ice. Every time they are out there something positive happens and it is uncanny how much they are contributing. They were on the ice for two of the three goals Tuesday night (although Turris was still on the ice during a line change when Stone scored the 3-3 goal), and for none against.

* The Kid Line are the top 3 forwards in terms of +/- rating on the team. Sure, Paul MacLean has picked his spots, but they have been the go to line when the team needs some offensive zone time and a spark, and they have provided that almost every time.

* MacLean threw the 3 forwards who are struggling the most together, as the third line became Mika Zibanejad between Milan Michalek and a returning Bobby Ryan. They weren't good again, and they need someone on that unit to get a bounce. You create your own, and Ryan should be the finisher on that line but he seems to lack confidence and the desire to shoot.

* The number of times the Senators have gotten called for that interference penalty after the player chips the puck past the defenseman along the boards, you would like to get one called in their favor. Not so much for Lazar on Edler in the first or Turris later on in the second. Both seemed to do enough to draw the call, but neither did.

* Then again, in overtime, on the last Ottawa rush before Vancouver ended it, Shawn Matthias tackled Turris about 5 feet inside the Vancouver blue line and rode him like a sled right to the boards behind Ryan Miller, with no call. The Canucks won it on the ensuing rush. You don't want calls handed to you, but in a game where there were just 3 penalties called, you expect to get the calls when you earn them.

* Color guy Ray Ferraro mentioned early on during the TSN broadcast that the Senators should get the pair of Eric Gryba and Mark Borowiecki away from the Sedins because the twins had a good cycle game going against them. I call BS on that analysis. Yes, they had possession, but not many chances, and I like the chances of the big Sens duo outmuscling them and holding them to the outside at the boards being more effective than Karlsson's "fly by" brand of defense for instance (more on that latter point a bit later on).

* Chris Neil took a costly and needless penalty in the offensive end that resulted in a goal from Kyle Turris getting called back. That would have made it 1-0 for Ottawa with less than a minute left in the first. Really, a brain cramp from Neil and a momentum sapper for the Senators who never did have a lead in this game, but could have without the hooking call.

* Curtis Lazar, playing for the first time in what was the closest NHL city to his hometown, played a great game, with a team-high 5 shots on goal and he also won 71% of his faceoffs, also highest on the team. He is still searching for that elusive first goal, but did record an assist in front of a big group of family in the crowd. Perhaps that first goal will come when Lazar continues his trek through old stomping grounds on Thursday, visiting his junior home arena, Rexall Place in Edmonton.

* I mentioned yesterday that the lack of an extra travel day might have an effect on the way the Senators came out of the gate, with not as much time as usual to adjust to the cross-country trip. Well, whether it was a factor or not (it was), the Senators couldn't seem to get their legs going consistently. Not an excuse, but a fact. Credit Anderson for rescuing a point in a game the team in front of him didn't deserve on this night.


ERIK KARLSSON - ROVER?

I think it might be time to look at the job description of Erik Karlsson. He has become an equal opportunity defenseman, meaning when he is out there each team has an equal chance to score. For what it's worth, I would start playing him as a rover. Play him with 2 defensemen who can cover up for his defensive lapses, but give him free reign to carry the puck whenever he has the opportunity. If he can lead the rush from the back end, do so. You could call it being a winger, but I would look at it as more of a rover.

It would take some adjusting to how the team plays with him on the ice, and they would have to dress 7 defensemen, but people are complaining that they have too many defensemen anyway. I, like I am sure many other Senators fans are, am frustrated by the often indifferent and irresponsible play in his own end, and it is starting to overshadow his offensive prowess. Freeing him up to be the riverboat gambler might make a difference.

You would still want him coming back hard on the backcheck, but he is way more effective at stripping the puck from behind an attacker than he is backing up and playing face to face, where he is really struggling. If he could be that first guy back with his speed and provide back-side pressure, he would create more turnovers and generate an instant breakout using his best assets - speed and ability to turn on a dime and go the other way.

I just look at 5 more years of this and at some point the other shoe is going to drop and the fans are going to turn on him. He is super talented and the most dynamic player on the team, but what is going on isn't working. He has been on the ice for an inordinate amount of goals against at 5 on 5. Dress 7 blueliners, play Karlsson on the point on the power play but at even strength create a new role for him and build your game plan around that.

Finding a Karlsson a suitable consistent partner has been one of the biggest problems the coaching staff has faced this season. This would also take away that problem, although it does pose a few new ones. It is not a perfect idea, but sometimes you have to throw something against the wall to see if it sticks.

Karlsson is an "outside the box" type talent, so it might be time to create an "outside the box" position for him to best use that skill set.

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