Breaking the Losing Streak
The Ottawa Senators finally broke their five-game losing streak with a thrilling 5-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday night. The game was a rollercoaster, especially in the third period, where the Senators scored four crucial goals to seal the deal. Tim Stützle was the star of the show, contributing a goal and an assist. The win was a much-needed boost for the Senators, who have been struggling in a tightly contested playoff race.
A Turning Point in the Third Period
After 40 minutes, the Senators found themselves trailing the last-place Sharks by a score of 2-1. However, the tide turned in the third period. The Sharks took a penalty for puck-over-glass, leading to a five-on-three power play for Ottawa. Brady Tkachuk made the most of the opportunity, scoring a hard low wrist shot to tie the game. The momentum shifted even more dramatically when a peculiar bounce off a stanchion left the puck in front of Stützle, who slammed it into the nearly empty net. Veteran David Perron then added to the Senators’ lead, capitalizing on a juicy rebound to score the winning goal. Perron emphasized the importance of sustained effort, saying, "We will take the two points tonight. We got better and better as we went here in the game. I think there was a point in the second period we had 3 or 4 shifts in a row where we kind of out chanced them, kept the momentum going."
Controversial Moments and Comebacks
The game had its fair share of controversial moments. Tyler Toffoli of the Sharks delivered a nasty pile driver cross check on Jake Sanderson, which went uncalled. This non-call gave the Sharks an advantage, leading to their third power play goal, scored by Will Smith. However, the Senators refused to be deterred. Michael Amadio sealed the victory with an empty-netter. Linus Ullmark, who has been struggling, recorded his first win since December 19, making 34 saves. The Senators also welcomed back three key forwards—Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, and Shane Pinto. Pinto made an immediate impact, scoring a shorthanded goal in the first period to give Ottawa an early lead. Toffoli and Timothy Liljegren also scored for the Sharks in the second period.
Playoff Implications
The Senators’ recent losing streak has put them in a precarious position in the playoff race, where every point matters. They are now within two points of the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card spot. Other teams in the race, such as the Columbus Blue Jackets, who defeated the Red Wings 5-3 despite being outshot 46-21, and the Boston Bruins, who beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2, are keeping pace. The Montreal Canadiens also added to the pressure, winning their fourth game in a row against the Buffalo Sabres. Tkachuk summed up the urgency, saying, "It’s just a big two points. I mean, playoff hockey starts now. You’ve got to win these games to get into the dance."
Celebrating the Hamburglar Run
Before the game, the Senators honored Andrew Hammond on the 10th anniversary of the Hamburglar Run. Hammond dropped the ceremonial puck, but not before a skilled fan threw a burger right at his feet, playfully adding to the festivities. Hammond, who retired just over two years ago, playfully picked up the burger. The Hamburglar Run, a memorable stretch in the Senators’ history, brought back nostalgic moments and perhaps some good karma for the team. This is the Senators’ third losing slide of four games or more this season. After the last two slumps, they went on runs of 10-2-1 each time. The team hopes that the Hamburglar Run karma can help spark another run.
Looking Ahead
The Senators now hit the road for a two-game trip, facing the Washington Capitals on Monday night and the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. They will return home next Saturday to host the New York Rangers. The road ahead is challenging, but the team’s recent win injects a much-needed dose of confidence. By Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia) The Hockey News Ottawa. For more Sens coverage all season long, be sure to bookmark THN Ottawa.
