Senators Fall Short in OT Again, This Time to the Red Wings
For the Ottawa Senators, being close just isn’t cutting it anymore.
Sunday night in Detroit, they played with energy, showed flashes of offensive brilliance, and got a strong showing in net-but still came up short, losing 4-3 in overtime to the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. It’s the kind of loss that stings a little extra, not just because it was winnable, but because it follows a familiar pattern.
The Penalty Kill Problem Persists
Two more power-play goals against. That’s 41 on the season now while shorthanded, a number that puts them near the bottom of the league-only the Vancouver Canucks have fared worse in that department. Special teams continue to be a sore spot, and it’s costing them games they have every chance to win.
Reimer Deserved Better
James Reimer was the Senators’ best player on the ice Sunday. The veteran netminder turned aside 30 of 34 shots and gave Ottawa every opportunity to pull this one out.
His positioning was sharp, rebound control solid, and he made several key stops to keep the game within reach. In overtime, anything can happen-and unfortunately for Reimer, the bounce didn’t go his way.
But his performance was strong enough that it would be surprising not to see him back between the pipes Tuesday against Columbus.
Ridly Greig Brings the Edge
Greig was in full agitator mode, and that’s when he’s at his most effective. He stirred things up late in the first by getting in goaltender John Gibson’s face, and while his interference penalty on Lucas Raymond in the second was ill-timed, it was part of a larger effort to get under Detroit’s skin. He paid for it later, but that’s the role he plays-and he played it well.
Cozens Keeps Producing on the Power Play
Dylan Cozens continues to be a force with the man advantage. His ninth power-play goal of the season extended his scoring streak to three games.
He nearly added another in the third, denied only by a sharp Gibson save on a point-blank chance with the game tied. The next step?
Finding more production at even strength. If he can do that, he becomes a much more dangerous all-around threat.
Batherson Heating Up
Drake Batherson is starting to find his scoring touch again. He tallied his third goal in five games-and fifth career goal against Gibson-with a slick finish, and added an assist for a two-point night.
He also missed on another prime scoring chance, but overall, his 14:37 of ice time was impactful. When Batherson is pushing the pace and creating chances, this team looks a lot more dangerous.
Tkachuk Doing Tkachuk Things
Brady Tkachuk was in the middle of everything, as usual. He mixed it up with Elmer Soderblom near the Detroit bench in the first, took a questionable penalty in the third (thankfully, the Sens killed it off), and even blocked a shot with his backside. It wasn’t the cleanest game for the captain, but his presence was felt-and that’s often half the battle with Tkachuk.
Pinto’s Redemption and Missed Chance
Shane Pinto had a bit of a rollercoaster night. He tied the game 3-3 with a power-play goal from right in front, showing great instincts around the net.
But he also missed a golden opportunity late that could’ve sealed it for Ottawa. He was lucky the team only got a minor for too many men after a bench miscue during an altercation, but overall, he played with energy and purpose.
Giroux’s Veteran Presence
Claude Giroux quietly had a solid game. He set up Pinto’s goal with a smart feed and nearly scored himself in the third, showing he still has the wheels to make plays in transition.
He was excellent in the faceoff circle, winning 64 percent of his draws (9-for-14), a significant bounce-back from the night before. Giroux remains a steadying presence on a team that sometimes needs just that.
Stützle Struggles to Make an Impact
Tim Stützle had a monster game against Montreal, but this one wasn’t quite up to that level. He logged 18:24 of ice time but managed just two shots on goal.
He was on the ice for James van Riemsdyk’s power-play goal in the second and had a costly turnover that led to trouble. Stützle has carried this team plenty of nights, but this wasn’t one of them.
The Bottom Line
The Senators showed fight. They showed flashes.
But they also showed the same issues that have plagued them all season-penalty kill breakdowns, missed chances, and just enough mistakes to let a winnable game slip away. At this point in the season, effort isn’t the problem.
Execution is.
And until that changes, “close” is going to keep feeling like not nearly enough.