The Ottawa Senators nearly blew an early 3-0 lead on Monday night before Thomas Chabot's overtime goal secured a 4-3 win. But that was not the reason head coach Guy Boucher held his breath.
With 7:55 left in the second period, former Senators teammates Bobby Ryan and Kyle Turris dropped the gloves and went at it for approximately 20 seconds. Ryan seemingly got the better of Nashville's center, landing a few punches before wrestling him to the ice. It had been a while since Ryan's last fight, which came in March 2014 against Kris Russell, per Hockey Fights.
Bobby Ryan vs. Kyle Turris?
— Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) December 18, 2018
Indeed.
(Via @SensProspects)pic.twitter.com/KHVH3Q44DL
Ryan's on-ice combat worried Boucher given the winger's history of hand injuries.
"Not the hand, not the hand," Boucher told reporters after the game on what was going through his mind watching Ryan fight.
.@sportingnewsca Guy Boucher when he saw Bobby Ryan fighting: "Not the hand, not the hand." #Sens
— Murray Pam (@Pammerhockey) December 18, 2018
The 31-year-old missed 20 games last season due to a series of hand injuries, including missing eight games due to a broken finger last October. Luckily for the Senators, they left Nashville without losing Ryan or the game.
First period goals from Maxime Lajoie (17), Brady Tkachuk (10) and Ryan Dzingel (13) gave Ottawa an early 3-0 lead. However, the Predators chipped away as Roman Josi netted two goals, including the game-tying score 6:56 into the third period.
Just 21 seconds into the extra period, Chabot's snap shot from the left circle hit the left post and went in for the game-winning goal.
"It's over." @EASportsNHL pic.twitter.com/j7cbSbJQQy
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 18, 2018
With the win, the Senators have won two of their past three games. The team will enjoy three days off as they travel to New Jersey to face the Devils on Friday.