The Ottawa Senators have maintained that their style of play is solid, even if luck hasn’t been on their side recently. On Monday night in Winnipeg, they secured a point and won 3-2 in overtime.
Late in the game with a 2-1 deficit, the Senators pulled goalie Linus Ullmark for an extra attacker. Jake Sanderson’s shot deflected off Mark Scheifele’s stick and into the net, tying the game at 2.
After some impressive saves at both ends, Tim Stutzle found himself in a 2-on-1 with Brady Tkachuk. Knowing Stutzle’s tendencies, Ottawa fans expected him to pass—and he did. Tkachuk quickly scored past Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck, in front of the Tkachuk family members attending the game.
Stutzle led the Senators’ offense with three assists and has accumulated nine points over his last four games. Meanwhile, Hellebuyck, playing in just his second game back from injury, made 28 saves on 31 shots and kept the Senators at bay during several close chances.
Hellebuyck, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, and Ullmark, last year’s recipient, both played exceptionally well. Ullmark stopped 23 of 25 shots, including a spectacular save during overtime on a 2-on-1 rush.
After a scoreless start, the Senators took the lead with a 2-on-1 play crafted by an unexpected trio. Tim Stutzle passed the puck to Curtis McDiarmid in the neutral zone, who then fed Nick Cousins in the high slot. Cousins’ shot was partially blocked by Hellebuyck but he managed to control the rebound and score.
This goal ended McDiarmid’s impressive 44-game winning streak dating back to March 2024.
Neal Pionk and Logan Stanley scored long-range goals late in the second period to put Winnipeg ahead 2-1. It seemed that score would hold until Sanderson’s late equalizer. The Senators, however, continued to chase a lucky break late in the game.
With this victory, the Senators improved their record to 15-13-4, sitting just four points away from a playoff spot in both the division and wild card standings. Ottawa is now 2-1 on their road trip and will head home to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Fan Take: This win is a significant morale booster for the Senators, showing they can clutch victories even when luck isn’t fully on their side. For hockey fans, this adds excitement and hope for Ottawa’s playoff chances, possibly signaling a resurgence that could spice up the competition in the league.
