In a thrilling finale to the regular season, the Ottawa Senators rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 7-5 at the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday night, April 17, 2025. With 16,193 fans in attendance, the Senators showcased their resilience, especially in the third period, where they scored four goals to seal the victory.
Drake Batherson was the star of the night, netting two crucial goals, including the game-winner on the power play with just 6:22 remaining. Adam Gaudette also shined with two goals, while Tim Stutzle, Dylan Cozens, and Shane Pinto each contributed to the scoreboard, ensuring a memorable end to the regular season.
Despite the excitement, the game was not without its concerns for the Senators. Captain Brady Tkachuk returned after missing eight games due to an upper-body injury but left the game early in the third period after taking a high stick to the face. Tkachuk played 10 minutes and 26 seconds, and although he was held out as a precaution, he assured fans that he would be ready for the playoffs, stating, "No issues," regarding his availability for Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.
The Senators started strong, taking a 3-0 lead in the first period. Adam Gaudette opened the scoring at 11:55, firing a shot past Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen for his 18th goal of the season. Dylan Cozens and Shane Pinto followed suit, scoring just 47 seconds apart to extend the lead. However, the Hurricanes responded quickly, with Jesperi Kotkaniemi scoring 11 seconds after Pinto's goal, bringing the score to 3-1. Skyler Brind’Amour, son of Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour, scored his first NHL goal with just 42 seconds left in the first, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
The second period saw a dramatic shift as Carolina took control, scoring three unanswered goals. Andrei Svechnikov tied the game 3-3 just 50 seconds into the period with a power-play goal. Jack Roslovic then put the Hurricanes ahead 4-3 at 4:05, and Tyson Jost extended their lead to 5-3 at 6:32. The Senators struggled to find their footing, being outshot 13-9 in the second period.
However, the Senators were not done yet. The third period commenced with a renewed sense of urgency. Gaudette scored his second goal at 4:17, pulling Ottawa within one. Batherson then tied the game at 10:01 with a backhand shot after a dazzling move. The Senators regained the lead when Batherson scored again, this time on the power play, at 13:38, making it 6-5. Stutzle capped the scoring with another power-play goal at 18:48, securing the 7-5 victory.
Ottawa's goaltender Linus Ullmark made 28 saves on 33 shots, while Andersen stopped 25 of 32 shots for Carolina. Despite the high-scoring affair, the game was more than just a showcase of offensive prowess; it marked a significant milestone for veteran defenseman Travis Hamonic, who played in his 900th career NHL game.
With the regular season behind them, both teams are now focused on the playoffs. The Senators will face off against the Maple Leafs in the first Battle of Ontario since 2004, while the Hurricanes will host the New Jersey Devils. Both matchups promise to be exciting as teams vie for the coveted Stanley Cup.
As the Senators celebrate their comeback victory, the focus now shifts to the playoffs, where every game counts, and the stakes are higher than ever. Fans can expect an intense series against Toronto, with Tkachuk ready to lead his team into battle.
