Ottawa Senators Defeat Carolina Hurricanes in Hilarious Fashion to Close out Regular Season

Not without moments of mild panic, the Ottawa Senators wrapped up their 82-game campaign with a barn burner that I didn't see coming but am nonetheless happy to report. While I remember: Thank you, kind readers for all your support and contributions throughout this redeeming regular season and see you maniacs on Sunday!!!

The Senators came into this one without two of their top defenders as Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub benefited from load management while all of Ottawa's regular starters including Brady Tkachuk (kind of) and Linus Ullmark even got one last start. If you expected a low-scoring affair against a very stingy Carolina team (as I did) then hold on to your diapers, babies!

The Hurricanes got out to an early lead (shots-wise) and both teams traded unsuccessful powerplay early before (and this seems to happen a lot to Carolina) Ottawa scored on one of their first chances of the game and opened the proverbial floodgates courtesy of one Adam Gaudette (getting hot at the exact right time):

I certainly won't argue with those who posit that the Sens benefited from some suspect officiating in this one but also it's very funny and cool when that happens. On their third powerplay of the night, Ottawa converted (a sign of good things to come?) This time courtesy of Dylan Cozens (also it felt good seeing Tkaptain back out there in front of the other team's goalie)

Before they even had time to announce Cozens' goal, Shane Pointo decided he felt left out and also wanted to score. With mere minutes left in the first frame and a 3-0 it certainly seemed like the good times would last forever.

For an Ottawa team looking poised and ready for a playoff run years in the making, this game seemed quite secure, even against a very talented Carolina team. Plus Ullmark can easily get a win with three goals worth of support. So you can either wring your hands knowing that Carolina scored five goals in the subsequent ten minutes (one on the powerplay) and wonder what it portends or you, like me can shrug it off as an attempt to generate some suspense and entertainment value.

To add a bit of fuel to the emotional fire, Ottawa couldn't convert on an extended five-on-three late in the second and looked poised for disappointment heading into the third period down by two goals. And then just like we all drew it up, Gaudette scored his second of the game (so goddamn close to a 20-goal season!) and the Sens got their pulse back.

The Sens got another powerplay opportunity shortly thereafter to tie things up but couldn't convert. Speaking of players you love to see heating up at exactly the right time, Drake Batherson got the tying goal to punctuate arguably his best season in the NHL:

At this point the broadcast announced that Brady would sit the remainder of the game (purely precautionary) which kinda put a damper on things but also the Sens' fate in the postseason hinge largely on number 7 so I get it. Anyway, to honour their intrepid leader, the Sens restored their squandered lead courtesy of Batherson (again!):

And while we all wondered whether Gaudette or Batherson would get the puck in an empty net situation to complete a hat trick, Tim Stützle decided to add to his personal highlight reel with a goal that I can only describe as Tim Stützle doing Tim Stützle things. What a beast:

Game Notes:

• I think it just as reassuring that Ottawa not only prevailed for the win but also didn't get outshot a billion to one by a team like Carolina.
• Ottawa's special teams were a mixed bag. I don't put too much stock into one game but I also think of this game as largely preparation for round. For what it's worth Carolina is a real contender and Toronto is itself.
• I'm gonna tell myself that Brady also sat out as load management and that everyone is good to go. Linus Ullmark will also be fine.
• You absolutely love to see Ottawa's supporting cast players like Michael Amadio, Ridly Greig, and Fabian Zetterlund contributing to the offence when the top line doesn't. All those guys also drew penalties (Brady did too despite just playing ten minutes lol). Also miscellaneous: Nick Jensen blocking six shots in a meaningless game is not my idea of a good time!
• Thanks again for a great season. Everyone rest up for Sunday because things are going to get a little wild around here.