Sens Lose 4-3 to Ducks in Shootout
New month, same sens
There was a time when the California Road Trip (TM) was the most dangerous road trip in the NHL. Those days are long gone.
Now, it takes talent to barely crack .500 on the California road trip. Few teams can pull off what Ottawa just did, stealing a completely undeserved win against the Sharks then following it up with disappointing losses to the Kings and Ducks.
A point is a point, but man does this team look bad.
Ullmark saved the first shot of the game, so that was a big win. The Sens looked pretty good for the first half of the first period, but not “playing one of the worst teams in the league” good. There were a few too many defensive breakdowns.
Cousins took an awful tripping penalty with six minutes left in the first, and Ottawa immediately collapsed during the delayed penalty, then wasted no time giving up the game’s opening goal. Great job, guys. 1-0 Anaheim.
Thankfully, Stützle tied it up before the end of the period, striking early on a 5-on-3, which shouldn't be that impressive but somehow is with this team. Tkachuk tipped the goal at the last minute so he got credit, but it was really Timmy who did the work. 1-1.
The Tkaptain deflects this one masterfully 🏒 🚨 #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/a9wpQ2ASBK
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 2, 2024
Of course, we couldn’t have anything. The Ducks took back the lead with less than a minute left in the period. 2-1 Anaheim.
But wait! Don’t give up hope just yet. The Ducks are, in fact, a very bad team, and Brady Tkachuk took advantage of that fact right off the opening faceoff of the second period, when Chabot sprung him on a breakaway. 2-2.
What's especially nice about this one is that it's another #Sens goal, and we love to see those. 🚨 #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/N1i7cxJapK
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 2, 2024
Greig took a dumb penalty (shocker!) but the Sens killed it off, at least, and the game remained tied for a while. Ottawa didn’t seem at all interested in doing anything. Not even a couple of powerplays could get them going.
Of course, Anaheim took the lead back early in the third period, when seemingly every single player on the Sens lost track of the puck at the same time. Ottawa collapsed again immediately after that, but soon bounced back with a goal of their own! I honestly didn’t think they could do it. 3-3.
Ce Cousins est dangereux 😏#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/lNczxliKuz
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 2, 2024
The Sens were pretty sloppy for the rest for the third, and couldn't get much going offensively. The best moment of the whole game was when Brady Tkachuk had a chance to take the lead AND get the hat trick in the final minute of the game... and opted to fail at the between-the-legs move again. Never change, cap.
The good news is, they didn't find a way to lose in regulation, which is a big improvement for them.
Overtime was thrilling, with Chabot hitting the post, Zegras undressing Stützle, and so many more heart-stopping chances on both ends of the ice. Naturally, neither team scored, so this late night game was headed to a shootout.
Stützle and Norris were both stopped on their attempts, and Terry and Zegras scored for Anaheim, so Anaheim won the mid-off. At least we got a point?
Game Notes
- Brady Tkachuk was so good. Should have had the hat trick. One of the only players who seemed to care at all.
- Do I even need to say that Tim Stützle had a good game? What a player. I’m in awe of him.
- I thought Chabot was good, too. That pass on the Tkachuk goal was amazing.
- Noah Gregor was the only bottom six forward who was really making things happen. I thought he had a very good game.
- The same cannot be said of Ridly Greig. He needs to get it together.
- Pinto was noticeably better in this game than he has been in a while.
