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Ottawa Senators Can’t Sustain Comeback, Lose 5-3 to Vegas Golden Knights

Meanwhile, Thomas Chabot is third in league scoring.

The Ottawa Senators wrapped up a three game homestand, facing the Vegas Golden Knights once again after losing to them in overtime two weeks ago. A three-goal comeback wasn’t enough to help Ottawa in this one, as they fell by a final score of 5-3.

Goal #1: Ottawa 0, Vegas 1

Jonathan Marchessault, from Colin Miller and Alex Tuch

The Sens had a bit of tricky start to the game, with Vegas pressing hard offensively. Mikkel Boedker was sent to the box for playing with a broken stick, and the Golden Knights got to work. With two players on the point instead of one, the Knights had plenty of passing options. Magnus Paajarvi’s attempted to pinch at the puck carrier, which only ended up opening a lane for Jonathan Marchessault to walk in and fire a shot past Anderson.

Goal #2: Ottawa 0, Vegas 2

Shea Theodore, from William Karlsson and Brad Hunt

Another power play goal for the Knights, this time with Chabot off for hooking. Shea Theodore sent a one-timer slapshot over Craig Anderson’s shoulder, as there was nothing more he could’ve done to stop it. Borowiecki and Jaros could’ve been obstructing his vision a bit while trying to deal with only one Vegas player, although besides that, it was a powerful and accurate shot that put Vegas up by two. The Knights led 2-0 after one.

Goal #3: Ottawa 0, Vegas 3

Nick Holden from Cody Eakin and Alex Tuch

What would normally be a typical 4-on-3 rush quickly turned into chaos. Alex Tuch entered the zone with no pressure, feeding the puck to Nick Holden who was skating towards the net. Holden was apparently the man unaccounted for, as just a quick backhand deke managed to get him past Pyatt (the main culprit), Ceci, Chabot, and then Craig Anderson. The goal was Holden’s first as a Golden Knight, breaking his 18-game drought.

Goal #4: Ottawa 1, Vegas 3

Matt Duchene, from Thomas Chabot and Mark Stone

It was an uphill battle for Ottawa at this point, although Matt Duchene proved they were up for the challenge. Chabot was the catalyst with the superstar play, first taking the puck away as the 4th player back in Ottawa’s zone, then using his speed to immediately wreak havoc in the other direction. Although Brad Hunt managed to get the puck off his stick while rushing to the net, Marc-Andre Fleury’s poke-check put it right on the stick of Matt Duchene, who scored over Fleury’s shoulder. The Sens headed into second intermission down by two, but with momentum on their side.

Goal #5: Ottawa 2, Vegas 3

Ryan Dzingel, from Mark Borowiecki and Chris Tierney

It was off a broken play, but we’ll take it. Chris Tierney lost the puck at the point after getting tangled up with Brayden McNabb, and Borowiecki’s recovery didn’t last as it was chopped away by Tomas Hyka. The puck was sent flying in the air, and with Tomas Nosek being unable to settle it down, Ryan Dzingel capitalized with a point blank shot. The Golden Knights were still the more dominant team, although the game was within reach.

Goal #6: Ottawa 3, Vegas 3

Thomas Chabot, unassisted

An opportunistic chance for Chabot made it three unanswered goals for Ottawa, bringing the game to a 3-3 tie. Mark Stone fed the puck in front, with Tierney and Dzingel both in tight to try and get a shot off against Fleury. In the process, Reilly Smith tried to budge in and swat the puck away, which ended up working for him in all the wrong ways. He got the puck away from the main chaos, but it went right onto the stick of Chabot. He also knocked down Fleury in the process, leaving a wide open net for the Sens’ defenceman. A goalie interference challenge from Florida did nothing to change the call.

With the goal and his earlier assist, Chabot is now third in league scoring, with twenty-two points in only sixteen games. He’s one back of McDavid, and two back of Rantanen for #1. For someone who had to spend time in the AHL last year, and found himself as a healthy scratch in the NHL for Johnny Oduya, it’s incredible to see the massive steps he’s taken.

Goal #7: Ottawa 3, Vegas 4

William Carrier, from Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Ryan Reaves

This one was just a nice play by Carrier. Borowiecki defended him well, and maybe it was a bit of a soft one for Anderson. It happened only a minute after the Sens got the tying goal, as the Golden Knights regained their lead.

Goal #8: Ottawa 3, Vegas 5

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, from Colin Miller

The last goal of the game was a bit of an odd one, and probably one that shouldn’t have even counted. Miller shot the puck wide, and Bellemare was gifted with an open net at the side. The real action was happening in front, though, as Carrier and Anderson were both on the ground after getting tangled up. Boucher challenged for goalie interference, but like the Sens’ tying goal, the call stood.

As for the NHL’s explanation, they say that it stood because it was Anderson who initiated contact. Although the contact seemed unintentional from both players (Carrier had his back turned), the replay clearly showed that Carrier was the one who tried to move and then tripped overtop of Anderson’s leg. How can that be explained as Anderson initiating contact? Well, Boucher’s expression says it all.

That would be it for the scoring, as the Sens couldn’t provide any more pressure with with the goalie pulled late.

Biggest Standouts

  • Despite allowing five goals, it could’ve been much worse had it not been for the play of Craig Anderson, once again facing 40+ shots.
  • What more is there to say about Chabot? He’s been incredible offensively, with five shots on goal tonight and an additional two points.
  • Mark Borowiecki stood out positively today. He had a couple good offensive chances in the first period, some solid defensive coverage, and a fight against Ryan Reaves.
  • Brady Tkachuk’s post-injury return was a bit quiet for his standards, although he still seems to have good chemistry next to Mark Stone. His 14:07 of ice time was just a warm-up in his first game back./

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Up Next

The Sens travel to Florida this weekend, playing the Lightning and Panthers in a Saturday & Sunday back-to-back.

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