8 tweets that define Game 1 of the Sens-Rangers series

The Ottawa Senators drew first blood in their second-round series opener against the New York Rangers, thanks to some late-game heroics from captain Erik Karlsson.

Game 1 went down at the Canadian Tire Centre, and Sens fans made sure to get there early to join in on the pre-game buzz as their team prepared to take another step towards the Stanley Cup.

The first period ended scoreless, but the Senators dominated offensively, nearly doubling the Rangers in shots on goal. The Sens' Craig Anderson and the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist were both sharp in net, making key saves to keep the game 0-0.

But something had to give eventually, and it was the Senators who relented the first goal to Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh on a power play in the second period.

Still, Sens fans kept the faith.

That patience and faith paid off, as Senators forward Ryan Dzingel tied it up late in the second period with a heads-up power play goal off a big rebound from Lundqvist. It was the boost the team — and fans — needed.

Play evened out again in the third period, and just when it looked like the Sens were destined for overtime yet again, captain Erik Karlsson banked a shot off of Lundqvist's head from a difficult angle and into the net.

It was a spectacular snipe that had hockey fans on Twitter buzzing, replaying one of the most incredible goals of the Sens' postseason so far over and over.

The Sens held on for the win to take a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 takes place Saturday afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre.