The Ottawa Senators achieved a thrilling victory against the Seattle Kraken, overcoming a late-game deficit to win 4-3 in a shootout on Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre. This victory not only ended a three-game losing streak but also marked the Senators’ first home win of the season.
Key Players Shine in Ottawa’s Comeback
Dylan Cozens played a pivotal role in forcing overtime with just 1:46 left in regulation, scoring a long-range shot while the Senators’ net was empty, leveling the score at 3-3. In the shootout, Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto successfully converted their attempts, while goalie Linus Ullmark stopped both shots from the Kraken, securing the win for Ottawa.
With this win, the Senators improved their record to 2-3-0. This victory was particularly significant as it came after the team lost their captain, Brady Tkachuk, for 6-8 weeks due to thumb surgery following an injury sustained during a previous loss to Nashville.
In addition to Cozens’ late-game heroics, Pinto and David Perron also contributed to the scoreboard during regulation, while veteran Claude Giroux provided two assists. Ullmark was instrumental in the victory, making 30 saves, including critical stops during the third period against Shane Wright and a breakaway attempt from Jani Nyman.
The Kraken, now with a record of 2-0-2, initially took the lead 1-0 in the first period when Wright scored by capitalizing on his own rebound. The Senators quickly responded, with Pinto scoring his sixth goal in five games, followed by Perron’s power-play goal that gave Ottawa a temporary 2-1 lead. However, the Kraken rallied back, with Chandler Stephenson scoring two goals and helping Seattle regain the lead at 3-2 early in the third period.
Despite Seattle’s coach acknowledging that his team played a strong, aggressive game, they were unable to seal the win in the closing moments. Ottawa’s coach praised Ullmark’s timely interventions in the third period and stressed the importance of finishing strong in future games.
In related news, Kraken forward Frederick Gaudreau left the game in the second period due to a hit from Tyler Kleven, and updates on his condition are pending. Senators forward Drake Batherson recorded his first point of the season with an assist on Cozens’ equalizing goal after returning from injury. Additionally, defenseman Thomas Chabot led all players with five blocked shots, showcasing the team’s defensive efforts.
Overall, this win serves as a morale booster for the Ottawa Senators as they navigate through a challenging start to the season.