Brady Tkachuk Leads Sens to Crucial 4-3 Comeback Win Over Rangers
OH TKAPTAIN MY TKAPTAIN
Coming off a very emotional trade deadline, the Sens faced a big challenge, in a must-win game against a team they're chasing for a playoff spot. There were a few moments where it looked like they wouldn't be able to pull it off, but in the end they managed an absolutely massive win. Not only did they get the two points, but they earned them, playing a solid all-around game and showing incredible resilience after trailing for pretty much the entire game.
It's exactly the type of game they would have lost under D.J. Smith.
The Sens looked alive right from the start of the game, which isn’t always a given with them. They got the first few shots, and looked good on an early powerplay. The Rangers’ first shot on net of the game trickled past Ullmark, but it happened well after the whistle, so obviously it didn't count. Put a pin in that.
Giroux got a great chance, Tim Stützle was amazing as always, and this game looked totally winnable. Unfortunately, another shot trickled past Ullmark just after the whistle, and this time it counted. 1-0 New York.
Tkachuk scored a powerplay goal with just a few seconds remaining in the period, but because neither of these teams can score normal goals apparently, it was reviewed for possible goaltender interference. The goal was taken back.
The Rangers extended their lead in the second period. This time it was our old friend Mika Zibanejad. Obviously. 2-0 New York.
The Sens did not deserve to be losing by two goals at this point, and thankfully it didn't last long. Brady Tkachuk got the Sens on the board.
A nice tip for 25! - Jr. Admin Teagan#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/1xYX2CerTB
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 8, 2025
The whole second period was absolutely thrilling, with both teams fighting for their playoff lives and playing like it. It was back and forth, very few whistles, extremely fun hockey.
The Rangers took a too many men penalty right at the end - honouring the spirit of “kids takeover” day by forgetting how to count - so the Sens started the final frame with the man advantage. Unfortunately, they didn’t do much with it.
Although the game had seemed perfectly in reach during the second period, Ottawa soon found themselves down by two goals yet again when Panarin walked around Hamonic and beat Ullmark to go up 3-1.
Once again, though, the Sens responded pretty quickly to pull back within one. Ridly Greig got the goal, but newcomer Dylan Cozens deserves a lot of credit for making the goal happen. He started the play and screened Shesterkin. A well-deserved assist. 3-2 New York.
One step closer - Jr. Admin Teagan#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/f2meHworQ3
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 8, 2025
The goal really energized the Sens, who found themselves with almost 10 minutes left to tie the game. Chabot had an especially good shift right after the goal.
They pulled it off with a bit over two minutes left! Micheal Amadio got the equalizer and sent the game to overtime. 3-3.
#GOSENSGO - Jr. Admin Teagan pic.twitter.com/6oq5LRA82B
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 8, 2025
Giving up a point to a team you’re chasing in the standings is not ideal, but consider this: this outcome screws over the Red Wings and Canadiens more than it screws over the Sens. That's a win in my books.
Overtime didn’t last long, as Captain Brady Tkachuk called game. Who else? WHO ELSE was going to score that one? What a player. What a captain. 4-3 Ottawa.
Do your dance Tkaptain 👏#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/OIslkwx4H5
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) March 8, 2025
Game notes:
- It happens so often it’s hardly worth mentioning, but my god Tim Stützle was everywhere this afternoon. Far and away the best player on the ice.
- Brady Tkachuk always plays with a lot of emotion, and today that was an asset rather than a hindrance. It was obvious the Norris trade had given him a bit of a kick in the ass. He was an absolute monster, and it was one of those games where you just knew he wasn’t going to let his team lose. His interview after the game was pretty emotional too.
- Ullmark pulled himself together by the end of the game, but he looked really off in the first period. He needs to be better than that down the stretch.
- Travis Hamonic left the game with an injury in the third period, and did not return. Obviously it always sucks to see a player go down like that, and I wish him the best. I also hope he takes his time recovering.
- A great first game for Dylan Cozens. I’m sure he shares the rest of the team’s excitement about being in the hunt for a playoff spot so late in the season. If he plays like this for the rest of the season, that will certainly lessen the sting of the trade.
- The special teams were not good at all. That's an area where they definitely miss Josh Norris, so they'll need to find a solution, quickly.
