Ottawa Senators edge Pittsburgh Penguins, climb into NHL playoff race
Captain Brady Tkachuk scores the game-winner in overtime.
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SENATORS 3, PENGUINS 2 (OT)
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Ottawa Senators edge Pittsburgh Penguins, climb into NHL playoff race Back to video
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The Ottawa Senators have officially arrived in the National Hockey League’s playoff picture.
The Senators extended their winning streak to three straight for the first time this season and moved into the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Sidney Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins in front of 18,892 at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night.
Captain Brady Tkachuk scored the overtime winner.
A win tied the Senators with the Philadelphia Flyers in the standings with 32 points each, but Ottawa sits in the final wild-card spot because they have played fewer games.
Defenceman Thomas Chabot had a two-point effort, including a goal, while Drake Batherson also chipped in with a goal.
Coming off a 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday in Raleigh, N.C., Linus Ullmark made his third start in net in four days, while Tristan Jarry was between the pipes for the Penguins.
Batherson’s 13th goal of the season, at 6:38 of the third period, gave the Senators a 2-1 lead, but the Penguins’ Kris Letang tied it up at 12:42 on a shot that appeared to deflect off Chabot’s stick on its way by Ullmark.
The climb back into the playoff mix hasn’t been easy for the Senators. On Dec. 1 after a 4-3 overtime loss in Anaheim, they ranked second-last in the East, five points back of the final wild-card spot.
“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.
“I’m not worried about the past. It doesn’t matter. I don’t really care about it and all I care about is today.”
The Senators needed the two points against the Penguins because they won’t play at home again until Jan. 9 with the IIHF world junior hockey championship taking over the Canadian Tire Centre.
A stretch of nine straight games on the road begins when the Senators face the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night.
BACK TO ULLMARK
Coming off Friday’s shutout victory over the ‘Canes, the Senators planned to have Ullmark back up on Saturday, but had to make a late switch. Anton Forsberg, who had been scheduled to start, was a late scratch with what the club called a “minor injury” while preparing to go on the ice.
Those who wanted to see Ullmark start back-to-back games for the first time this season got their wish. Forsberg has only one win in his past five starts, and he gave three goals on 12 shots last Sunday against the New York Islanders
“It was one of those unfortunate events that happens,” said Ullmark, who noted he found out just before warmup.
After a tough start to the season, Ullmark has found his game and has posted a 5-0-1 record in his last six appearances. In that stretch, he has a 1.48 goals-against average and .954 save percentage.
He had to be at his best against the Penguins.
Blake Lizotte tied it up 1-1 for Pittsburgh on a rebound at 2:40 of the third period. The Senators couldn’t get the puck out of their zone and there wasn’t much of a chance for Ullmark to make the stop.
“We bend, but not break,” Ullmark said.
Ullmark had made an unreal stop on Erik Karlsson as the Penguins defenceman was about to deposit a rebound into the net midway through the first period. The Ottawa goalie made a second effort to get his stick across the crease to make the save.
“I actually thanked him. He saved my ass,” said Chabot.
FACING SID THE KID
The Senators have had their share of issues stopping Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby.
He came into this game with 19 goals and 38 assists for 57 points in 49 career games versus Ottawa, including three goals and 14 points in the past 11 games. Crosby also needed one more point to surpass the legendary Jaromir Jagr for the franchise lead in points against the Senators.
The fans were on their feet, when Ullmark made a massive blocker save on Crosby with 1:20 left in the second period.
Chabot opened the scoring at 7:34 of the first period. Teammate Claude Giroux showed good patience by going around the net before throwing a pass into the faceoff circle to Chabot, who beat Jarry with a shot through the five-hole.
“Our team is playing better in a lot of different areas,” Green said.
THE BACKUP PLAN
The Senators had an emergency backup goalie (Ebug) at the ready, with Zachary Dietz of the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees in the building.
The club didn’t find out until 5:45 that Forsberg wouldn’t be able to play and goaltender Leevi Merilainen will likely be recalled from Belleville to accompany the club on the road.
The TV cameras showed Dietz headed to the dressing room with his equipment, but Dietz didn’t sit on the bench. That was because he had to be available for either team, so he couldn’t sit with the Senators.
He was listed as No. 2 on Ottawa’s depth chart with Forsberg out and as No. 3 for the Penguins.
There is an Ebug in the building every NHL game. This situation is why general managers want to address the matter and have a legitimate goalie available.
“I was the goalie at the Christmas skate so I was ready to go,” Tkachuk said.
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