The Ottawa Senators battled back from an ugly start, grabbed control for long stretches, and still walked away empty-handed in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night at Canadian Tire Centre.
Washington set the tone almost immediately, scoring just 35 seconds into the game. Ottawa answered, settled in, and eventually pushed the Capitals onto their heels, but the comeback effort fell short in front of 16,679.
The Senators also took a hit late in regulation when Nick Cousins exited with 2:57 left in the third period after absorbing a heavy blow from Washington defenceman Jakob Chychrun. Officials reviewed the play and did not rule it dirty. Cousins was helped off the ice looking dazed and was bleeding after the hit.
Ottawa got goals from Ridly Greig and Hayden Hodgson in regulation, while captain Thomas Chabot chipped in two assists. Hodgson’s goal was a milestone moment, his first National Hockey League goal since March 24, 2022. He finished a perfect feed from Chabot and beat Thompson on the stick side at 16:04.
The Senators looked like the better team for much of the second period, outshooting Washington 16-2 and taking a 2-1 lead. They had completely taken over the flow of the game by then, and the Capitals went more than 22 minutes without a shot on goal.
Still, Ottawa couldn’t close it out. With the Senators in control in the third period, Pierre-Luc Dubois tied the game 2-2 after an untimely penalty to Stephen Halliday expired. Dubois took a pass and beat Ersson glove side.
Ersson had shaken off the rough opening after allowing a goal on the first shot he faced, but the Senators couldn’t protect the lead once Washington pushed back.
Ottawa also came up empty on the power play, going 0-for-4, including a key chance late in the third. The Senators entered the night with the No. 31 power play in the league, and they still need a way to make that unit pay off.
The loss came after a 4-2 win over the Utah Mammoth on Saturday, a game Tim Stutzle said the group wanted to clean up. Before Tuesday’s matchup, he made the expectation clear.
“Respond,” Stutzle said before the game. “We didn’t like our last game, but it was big to get the win.
There’s lots to improve. We have to play the way we can play, and then we’ll be able to win.”
Ottawa did respond in stretches. It just didn’t finish the job.
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Senators Suddenly Face A Troubling Nick Cousins Injury Concern
Nick Cousins night ended in alarming fashion after a body check from Washington defenseman Jakob Chychrun left the Ottawa forward motionless on the ice and needing help to get off. It was the kind of scene that immediately shifts attention away from the score and toward the player, especially for a Senators team that has leaned on Cousins for veteran depth in the first year of his two-year contract.
The postgame update only deepened the concern. Head coach Travis Green said Cousins was not doing well, and Ottawa will now have to wait and see how serious the injury is. Cousins has dealt with a concussion before, though he has not had an extensive history of head injuries, which makes the next stretch especially important for both the player and the team. [Read more 🡒]
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The organization still sees plenty to like in his talent and development path, but the early returns have also made clear where the work remains. Ottawas coaches have pointed to the need for continued growth before he can be trusted in a bigger role, and his usage could keep shifting depending on how the team handles its blue line in the coming days. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Delay Ullmark Again As Local Goalie Gets A Surprise Shot
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Parsons now gets his first NHL backup opportunity, a notable step for a goalie who has been pushing for a look with strong work at the minor-league level. For Ottawa, it is another reminder that the crease picture is still in flux, with the club prioritizing patience on Ullmark while giving a local prospect a chance to experience the big league bench. [Read more 🡒]