Senators Stay Hot, Stifle Penguins in Gritty 3-2 Win
The Ottawa Senators rolled into Pittsburgh riding a three-game win streak, fully aware that each game from here on out carries playoff implications. Standing in their way?
A red-hot Penguins team that had rattled off six straight victories and was buzzing with confidence. But Ottawa matched that energy - and then some - grinding out a 3-2 win that showcased their growing defensive identity and resilience in key moments.
Ullmark Stays Locked In, Despite Early Pressure
Linus Ullmark got the nod in net after a standout performance over the weekend, and he was tested early. The Penguins came out flying, with Anthony Mantha generating a couple of quality looks, but Ullmark stood tall. On the other end, the Senators had their own early chances - Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, and Ridly Greig all had looks - but couldn’t find the finish.
The first breakthrough came from Pittsburgh, and it was a textbook counterattack. After a turnover by Erik Karlsson led to a Shane Pinto chance that was denied by Arturs Silovs, Egor Chinakhov and Evgeni Malkin took off on a two-on-one. Chinakhov went five-hole on Ullmark to make it 1-0, continuing his strong stretch since joining the Penguins.
That goal gave Pittsburgh some jump. They pushed hard, but Ottawa’s response was disciplined.
When Rickard Rakell ran into Ullmark and took a goalie interference penalty, the Sens had a chance to equalize on the powerplay. They moved the puck well and generated looks, but Silovs matched them save for save.
Ottawa’s best stretch of the first came after that powerplay. They hemmed the Penguins in with an aggressive forecheck and crisp puck movement, eventually drawing another penalty when Ilya Solovyov high-sticked Greig. But again, the powerplay sputtered, and the Senators went into the first intermission trailing 1-0 despite outplaying Pittsburgh for long stretches.
Amadio Breaks the Drought, Ottawa Takes Control
The second period saw Ottawa continue to dictate the pace. Michael Amadio, who hadn’t scored in 24 games, finally broke through. After having his initial shot blocked, he stole the puck right back from Malkin and beat Silovs glove side with a clean wrist shot to tie things up at 1-1.
That goal put the momentum squarely on Ottawa’s side. Another Penguins penalty - this time Parker Wotherspoon taking down Dylan Cozens - gave the Sens a third powerplay, but it turned into a back-and-forth flurry of chances for both teams. Brady Tkachuk and Blake Lizotte traded high-danger looks, but again, Silovs was the difference.
Ottawa kept coming, and Pittsburgh kept taking penalties. Connor Clifton’s cross-check on Lars Eller gave the Sens their fourth powerplay, but the theme continued - solid puck movement, decent looks, no finish.
Still, Ottawa’s five-on-five play was smothering. The Penguins managed just three shots in the entire second period, none of them particularly dangerous.
The Senators’ structure was airtight, with all five skaters committing to defense and making life easy for Ullmark.
Stützle, Giroux Deliver in Clutch Third Period
The third period opened with Ottawa still on the powerplay, but the fifth opportunity of the night ended like the first four - empty-handed. Fortunately for the Sens, they didn’t need the man advantage to find the go-ahead goal.
A sloppy Penguins line change left Drake Batherson all alone. His initial shot was stopped by Silovs, but Tim Stützle jumped on the rebound and buried it.
2-1 Ottawa.
That lead didn’t last long. The Penguins responded with their best stretch since the first period, and Tommy Novak cashed in, slipping a shot past Ullmark to tie it up at 2-2.
With the game hanging in the balance, Ottawa found another gear. Nick Cousins was whistled for a cross-check on Karlsson, putting the Sens on the penalty kill late in the third.
But instead of sitting back, Ottawa attacked the puck, disrupting Pittsburgh’s setup and keeping them to the outside. Kill successful.
Then came the game-winner - and a little controversy. Tim Stützle batted a puck out of the air and found Claude Giroux, who drove the net and was tripped by Karlsson, crashing into Silovs as the puck crossed the goal line.
After a lengthy review, the goal stood. Pittsburgh challenged for goalie interference, but the call was upheld.
3-2 Ottawa.
The Penguins took a bench minor for the failed challenge, giving Ottawa their fifth powerplay. It didn’t produce a goal, but it did help bleed two crucial minutes off the clock. Pittsburgh pulled Silovs for the extra attacker, but Ottawa held firm, closing out a hard-earned win.
Takeaways: Defense Wins This One
This was one of Ottawa’s most complete defensive performances of the season. From start to finish, they clogged lanes, pressured the puck, and forced Pittsburgh to settle for low-percentage shots. The Penguins looked frustrated, and it showed in the penalties they took, especially late in the game.
Linus Ullmark didn’t have to be spectacular, but he was sharp when needed. The Senators’ ability to limit high-danger chances made his night manageable.
The powerplay, however, remains a concern. Ottawa went 0-for-5 and struggled to generate sustained pressure on most of their opportunities. It didn’t cost them this time, but it’s something they’ll need to clean up, especially as the games get tighter down the stretch.
Still, this was a statement win. Beating a team on a six-game heater, on the road, in the first half of a back-to-back - that’s the kind of performance that builds belief. The Senators are playing with purpose, and if they keep defending like this, they’ll be a tough out for anyone.