Ottawa Senators Hold Off New Jersey Devils For 3-2 Win

After back-to-back efforts reeking of complacency, Brady Tkachuk promised a response from the Ottawa Senators in tonight's contest against the New Jersey Devils. They delivered on that promise and, in spite of some scary moments, put together a gutsy road performance that was just barely enough to get the victory.

Both Linus Ullmark and Jake Allen faced a few high-end chances in the 1st period – Thomas Chabot and Travis Hamonic had good looks early off the rush, while former Senator Curtis Lazar was stopped on a shorthanded breakaway. Despite giving up more close-range opportunities at even-strength, they were strong on the kill while nearly getting power-play goals from Claude Giroux and Fabian Zetterlund, the latter of whom skated on the first line with Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk.

Things began to pick up in the second period, and the bulk of the excitement was to Ottawa's benefit. After a long stretch of possession in the Devils' end for Ottawa's top line, Tkachuk tipped a Jake Sanderson shot under Allen's arm and into the net for a 1-0 Sens lead.

Just 33 seconds later, the good guys doubled the lead on a similar play – this time it was the Dylan Cozens - Drake Batherson connection, resulting in Batherson's 20th of the season.

Both teams would then trade power-play goals in quick succession. Nico Hischier cut into the two-goal lead with a one-timer with Brady in the box for high-sticking, only for David Perron to promptly restore it a minute and a half later by deflecting a Claude Giroux slapshot past Allen.

Down by 2 to start the 3rd, the Devils spent the bulk of the final 20 minutes pushing for the tying goal, with possession of the puck for most of that time. Despite the Sens being heavily outshot 15-4 in the period, they made sure to clear the appropriate amount of rebounds surrendered by Ullmark, effectively killing off most of the clock.

Erik Haula caused my blood pressure to skyrocket with 22 seconds left, and the Devils nearly scored the tying goal in the final 10 seconds of the game, but Artem Zub took care of business in front of the net as the clock mercifully ran out, yielding a 3-2 victory for your Ottawa Senators. Ullmark stopped 25 shots out of 27 while Allen stopped 16 of 19.

A much better road effort that still wasn't almost enough to beat a depleted Devils' squad. Take the 2 points and run, RUN!!!

Game Notes:

• Improving to 37-27-5, the Sens have a 5-point cushion on the outside-looking-in New York Rangers with 2 games in hand. With just 12 games left for the Rags, time is running out for them, but it can't happen soon enough.
• Cozens continues to consistently chip in, both at even-strength and on the power-play. He's got a point in 7 of the 8 games he's played including tonight, and the chemistry with Batherson gives Ottawa two dangerous top-six lines that opponents have to plan around.
• Another benefit from the Cozens acquisition is that it's seemed to jumpstart David Perron. He sort of feels like a deadline acquisition as well, what with his game-winning goal tonight being his 8th point in his last 11 games. Compared to 4 points in 20 prior games, that's a game-changing improvement for Ottawa.
• Any time Travis Hamonic plays over 20 minutes and posts a +1 rating, you have to give him credit. That's a player who can lose you a game if he doesn't pull his weight, which he did tonight.

Stats:

Up Next:

• Freaking Buffalo. Probably the closest thing to a scheduled loss we have at this point. At least the boys have until Tuesday, March 25th to prepare for this one.