For the first time all season, the Ottawa Senators have strung together four straight regulation wins - and they did it in dramatic fashion.
Claude Giroux played the hero on Monday night in Pittsburgh, delivering a wild, late-game goal that lifted the Senators to a 3-2 win over the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. It was the kind of greasy, chaotic goal that leaves fans buzzing and opponents frustrated - and it might just be the spark Ottawa needs as they try to claw their way into the playoff picture.
Let’s break down how it all unfolded.
Giroux’s Game-Winner: Chaos, Contact, and Controversy
With less than five minutes to go in a 2-2 game, Giroux kicked off the sequence deep in Ottawa’s zone, stripping a Penguin of the puck and jumpstarting the rush. He dished it to Nick Jensen, who hit Drake Batherson in stride.
Batherson tried to float a saucer pass to Tim Stützle, but it deflected into the air. Stützle, showing off some serious hand-eye coordination, batted it down like a shortstop - and the puck landed right on Giroux’s stick for a clean breakaway.
That’s when things got messy.
Former Senator Erik Karlsson, caught flat-footed, reached in desperation and chopped at Giroux, sending him sliding into Penguins goalie Arturs Šilovs and the goalpost. The puck, almost as an afterthought, slid across the goal line.
The Penguins challenged for goalie interference, but the ruling was clear: Karlsson initiated the contact, and was penalized for it. The goal stood. Giroux had delivered once again in a building where he’s made a habit of haunting the Penguins.
And the numbers back it up - with 41 points (13 goals, 28 assists) in 33 career games in Pittsburgh, Giroux has done more damage in that arena than any other visiting player in NHL history. The man just loves playing in the Steel City.
Stützle, Amadio, and Batherson Lead the Charge
While Giroux’s goal will dominate the highlight reels, the Senators got strong contributions across the board.
Tim Stützle and Michael Amadio each found the back of the net, with Stützle and Batherson both finishing with two-point nights. Amadio’s goal early in the second period was especially meaningful - his first in 24 games, dating back to mid-December. You could see the relief in his celebration, and his linemates made sure to let him soak it in.
Stützle’s goal came early in the third, and it was a classic case of being in the right place at the right time. After a Penguins turnover at the Ottawa blue line, Batherson got loose for a breakaway. He couldn’t finish, but Stützle was trailing the play and cleaned up the rebound for his 26th of the season.
Penguins Push Back, But Ottawa Holds
Pittsburgh didn’t go quietly. Egor Chinakhov opened the scoring midway through the first period and added an assist later.
After Stützle gave Ottawa the lead in the third, the Penguins answered quickly. Thomas Chabot lost positioning on Tommy Novak, and when Ryan Shea’s point shot kicked out a rebound, Novak buried it to tie the game.
Chabot, who’s been dealing with what appears to be a right hand or wrist issue, was a game-time decision. He looked a step slow on the play, and it cost the Senators in the moment. But the team rallied, and Giroux’s late goal sealed it.
Linus Ullmark didn’t have a busy night - just 14 saves - but he was steady when called upon. Ottawa outshot Pittsburgh 31-16, controlling the pace and limiting high-danger chances.
The Playoff Picture: Still a Climb
This win was more than just a feel-good moment - it was a crucial two points in a tight Eastern Conference race. The Senators now sit two points ahead of the Penguins, who have won two Cups in the last decade, but they’re still chasing a crowded field.
Buffalo picked up a pair of points on Monday, despite being heavily outshot by Florida. The Sabres now sit eight points ahead of Ottawa.
Montreal lost in overtime, trimming their lead on the Sens to nine. Meanwhile, both the Maple Leafs and Red Wings picked up wins as well.
The real target? The Boston Bruins, who currently hold the second wild card spot. They’re seven points up on Ottawa, but they’re reeling after a stunning collapse in the Stadium Series game in Tampa, where they blew a 5-1 lead and lost in overtime.
Next Up: Carolina - and a Test of Stamina
There’s no time to rest. The Senators are right back at it on Tuesday night in Carolina - a tough place to play under any circumstances, let alone on the second half of a back-to-back. Historically, Ottawa hasn’t had much success there, but if this team is serious about making a run, these are the games they have to find a way to win.
The Senators are finally showing some consistency, and with a four-game regulation win streak in their pocket, they’re building momentum. But the road ahead is steep, and every point matters.
Giroux’s gritty game-winner might not have been pretty, but it was exactly what Ottawa needed. Now the question is: can they keep it rolling?