No Daniel Alfredsson, facing the best team in the Eastern Conference and trailing 2-1 in the quarterfinal series, the Ottawa Senators needed Game 4.
Forward Kyle Turris gave it them with one of the nastiest, clutch shots of the postseason thus far, beating Henrik Lundqvist:
The first word that came to mind after the Senators' 3-2 victory: Vindication.
It was vindication for Turris, who toiled with the Phoenix Coyotes for years, never meeting the expectations of being the third overall pick in 2007. He had 29 points in 49 games after being traded to Ottawa, which showed promise. Beating the best goalie in the world in a playoff overtime with a perfectly placed shot furthered that promise.
He also provided a screen for Sergei Gonchar's game-tying goal, moments after Jason Spezza took this nasty hit from Mark Staal (Spezza would return):
It was vindication for Craig Anderson, who had this best game of the series in stopping 31 shots, including 14 in the third period and overtime combined.
More than anything, it was vindication for the Senators, who showed they can hang with this Rangers team and can solve Lundqvist.
It's a best-of-three series now — who pulls it out?