The Ottawa Senators have officially arrived in the National Hockey League’s playoff picture following their thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night. With this win, the Senators extended their winning streak to three games for the first time this season, boosting them to 32 points and securing the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.
Captain Brady Tkachuk made his presence felt, scoring the game-winning goal 1:46 minutes through overtime, igniting the cheers of the 18,892 fans present. The Senators, having just come off a strong 3-0 shutout against the Carolina Hurricanes the previous night, needed this victory to keep their momentum going before embarking on a grueling nine-game road trip.
Defenceman Thomas Chabot not only opened the scoring at 7:34 of the first period but also added to his tally with an assist, breaking out of his own lengthy scoring drought, having not scored since October 14. Drake Batherson also contributed by finding the net, helping to push the Senators' score to 2-1 at one point during the game.
This was no easy path for the Senators. They initially took the lead, only to watch the Penguins claw back two times, once on Blake Lizotte’s goal early in the third to make it 1-1, and again on Kris Letang’s equalizer at 12:42, which seemed to deflect off Chabot before reaching Linus Ullmark.
“I’m not going to lie, I think our guys feel good about themselves,” said Ottawa coach Travis Green. “And, they should. Three or four weeks ago we were talking about the world caving in around them.” The Senators’ upward trend from the depths of the standings just weeks ago reflects the team’s improvement and resilience.
Ullmark showcased his skill and steadiness, making several remarkable saves, including one on Sidney Crosby, which managed to keep the Senators alive during pivotal moments. It’s important to note he made this performance under challenging circumstances as Anton Forsberg was scratched shortly before the game due to injury.
The situation put Ullmark, who had just completed a shutout the night before, to the test for back-to-back starts—a feat he managed with aplomb, noting, “Just go with it. There’s nothing really, you just take what it is. Hakuna Matata.” His ability to maintain composure under pressure made the difference, earning him the praise of his teammates.
“I actually thanked him. He saved my ass,” Chabot remarked, acknowledging Ullmark's outstanding efforts, which were instrumental for the Senators. This victory also marked Ullmark's sixth win out of seven games, marking a significant turnaround for the team.
The Senators are gearing up for their next challenge, facing the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night, as they will now be on the road for the foreseeable future. This game marked the last home appearance before they hit the road due to the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship taking over the Canadian Tire Centre.
Pittsburgh's coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged the quality of the Senators, stating, “I thought we played really well the whole game. I liked our game.” He continues to see promise within his own squad, which, even after this loss, is still positioned closely within the competitive Eastern Conference race.
The Penguins had entered the night sharply, coming off a dominating 9-2 victory over Montreal, yet they couldn’t find the same magic against Ottawa, showcasing the unpredictable nature of NHL matchups. With this defeat, they remain just one point out of the playoff spot but must regroup quickly to remain competitive.
This overtime win is more than just two points for the Senators; it's about momentum as they look to solidify their place among the top teams vying for playoffs. Tkachuk’s display of leadership, Ullmark’s persistence, and Chabot’s rebirth as a scoring dynamo all contribute to a rebuilding Senators team intent on making its mark this season.
“Just a 60-minute effort,” Tkachuk remarked on their performance, instilling confidence going forward, “It’s the ability to bounce back and persevere.” With their recent form, fans have much to be hopeful for as the Senators look to extend their streak on the road.
