The Ottawa Senators are still fighting to stay in the playoff race, and they got a massive boost with a dramatic 3-2 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday.
With the team near the bottom of the Atlantic Division and five points out of a wild-card spot, every point is crucial for Ottawa. This time, it was captain Brady Tkachuk who delivered when it mattered most.
Brady Tkachuk Sparks Senators’ Comeback
Tkachuk buried the game-winner with just 13 seconds remaining, sealing a comeback win that could be huge for Ottawa in the standings.
In the process, Ottawa’s main man also became the first player in NHL history with a fighting major in the first minute of regulation and a game-winning goal in the last minute of regulation in the same game. Some club to be a part of all by himself.
James Reimer turned aside 19 shots, while Warren Foegele and Shane Pinto also scored to keep the Senators’ playoff push alive.
The stakes were clear going in. According to Sportlogiq, a regulation win would boost Ottawa’s playoff chances to 37%, while a loss would drop them to 18%. With the win, the Senators stayed right in the mix.
Still, the road ahead isn’t easy. With 14 games remaining, Ottawa needs around 98 points in all to secure a wild-card spot. Meaning they’ll have to win at least nine or 10 of those games. But their schedule includes tough matchups against teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tkachuk made his presence felt from the opening second, dropping the gloves with Islanders captain Anders Lee to set the tone early.
After a quiet performance in the previous game, he made it clear he wanted to respond. “I was ready to go through a wall,” Tkachuk said.
“I didn’t like my game last night… I try not to let things sit and fester, but I needed to bounce back. It’s just too important a year to not be at my best, but I just tried setting the tone.”
Senators Vs. Islanders Game Recap
The Islanders struck first, with Matthew Schaefer opening the scoring early in the second off a point shot following a Bo Horvat faceoff win. Shane Pinto answered with a short-handed goal, finishing a 2-on-1 with a wrist shot past Ilya Sorokin.
Brayden Schenn restored the Islanders’ lead early in the third after a give-and-go with Simon Holmstrom. Warren Foegele tied it again, cleaning up a rebound in front, before Tkachuk buried the winner on a loose puck off a deflection in the crease.
With the playoff race heating up, efforts like this from Tkachuk could be the difference in Ottawa’s push for a postseason spot.
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The Senators will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for a crucial matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
