Brady Tkachuk put up a standout game, scoring twice, including the game-winner just 33 seconds into overtime. The Ottawa Senators took away a thrilling 4-3 win in a game in which they played well but could easily have lost to the New York Rangers. Tkachuk, who played in his 500th NHL game, extended his goal streak to five games.
His second goal came off a beautiful cross-ice pass from none other than the blossoming Tim Stutzle. But give Tkachuk credit. His efforts were critical to another Senators comeback after trailing 3-1 early in the third period. His game-winner put the icing on a rally sparked by his two teammates – Ridly Greig and Michael Amadio. Both scored in the third period to force overtime.
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Ottawa goalie Linus Ullmark made 20 saves to carry away the win. At the other end of the ice, Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin made 33 saves and kept his team in the game with several key, frustrating stops. Ultimately, the Rangers were also hurt by their inability to finish. Head coach Peter Laviolette expressed disappointment after the game, stating, “We were in control of the game, and we didn’t finish it.”
Item 1: Brady Tkachuk Leads Senators to Overtime Win with 2 Goals, Including Game-Winner
Tkachuk did everything he could, including scoring twice, to pace his team to Saturday’s win. He played passionately throughout the game, and his overtime goal came when he capitalized on a Rangers turnover. After a beautiful helper from Stutzle, he snapped the puck home just 33 seconds into the extra frame to win the close match.
Tkachuk has continued his strong play since February, with seven goals and 10 points in his last nine games. The 25-year-old captain looks to be a lock for his fourth straight 30-goal season. He’s been a key to Ottawa’s recent success. Head coach Travis Green praised his captain’s leadership and maturity, especially after a challenging 24 hours following recent trades. [Tkachuk seemed devastated by losing his friend and teammate Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres.]
Item 2: Dylan Cozens Contributes with Assist and Physical Play in Senators Debut
Dylan Cozens worked hard to make an immediate impact in his Senators debut. He put up an assist and a season-high nine hits in his new team’s 4-3 win. Acquired in the trade that sent Norris to Buffalo, Cozens jumped onto the Senators’ second line and played with physicality. In that, he fits nicely into the Senators’ hard-hitting playstyle. His assist came on Ridly Greig’s third-period goal, which helped spark the Senators’ comeback.
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Cozens has gone eight games without scoring a goal but remains a valuable asset. He has 11 goals and 21 assists in 62 games this season. His nine hits showed his rugged playstyle, adding the physical presence coach Green values in his lineup. Senators fans should look for Cozens to continue contributing offensively and physically in his new role with the Senators.
Item 3: Tim Stutzle Continues Impressive Streak with OT Assist
One of the key aspects of the Senators’ season has been the growth of Stutzle. He extended his point streak to 14 games with a critical overtime assist in the win over the Rangers. This game was the second straight in which Stutzle helped his team in overtime. He scored a game-winner against the Chicago Blackhawks just a few days ago.
Stutzle is now a point-a-game player. His current point streak includes five goals and 15 assists, bringing his total to 65 points in 62 games. His consistent offense has factored well into Ottawa’s recent success. He’s been active on both ends of the ice, showing a 200-foot game and earning recognition as one of his team’s (and perhaps the NHL’s) top playmakers.
Item 4: Greig and Amadio Spark Senators’ Comeback in 4-3 OT Win
Ridly Greig and Michael Amadio both played key roles in the Senators’ win. Greig ended an eight-game goal drought, scoring in the third period to bring Ottawa within one. His goal came off a rebound from newcomer Cozens. It energized the team. Amadio scored the game-tying goal by pouncing on a loose puck to push the game into overtime.
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Greig’s goal was his 10th of the season. With 21 points in 59 games, he’s been solid in a middle-six role. Meanwhile, Amadio’s goal was his seventh of the season and his third point in March. His offense is picking up. The Senators’ depth was a key in this comeback win.
What’s Next for the Senators?
The Senators are exceeding expectations. Yesterday’s win pushed them into the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Life gets simple. If they continue to win, they’ll reach the playoffs. Could this be a team of destiny? Their stars are rising to the challenge, game in and game out. Despite challenges, the Senators have shown an ability to come back to win close games, with Tkachuk leading the charge.
Could adding Cozens provide the extra push to pull them further into the postseason mix? The answer is likely yes if Linus Ullmark can maintain his strong goaltending. Fans can look forward to an exciting stretch, with their next game against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season for Senators fans.
