A textbook two points from the Ottawa Senators. Read MoreA textbook two points from the Ottawa Senators. They were strong from start to finish. The Senators put together three of their best periods of the season to score a 4-0 victory over Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. Captain Brady Tkachuk led the attack with two
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A textbook two points from the Ottawa Senators.
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They were strong from start to finish.
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The Senators put together three of their best periods of the season to score a 4-0 victory over Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
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Captain Brady Tkachuk led the attack with two goals, and winger Drake Batherson had two helpers, while Claude Giroux and David Perron also chipped in on this night. Linus Ullmark made 23 stops for his first shutout of the year, and the 13th of his career.
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“That was a great team win. Top-to-bottom,” said coach Travis Green. “We played pretty solid. We talked about the 200-foot game defensively and offensively. The guys were ready to play tonight.”
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Ullmark made some good saves, but the Senators also delivered a strong defensive effort and didn’t give up many chances. They kept the pedal to the metal for a full 60 minutes.
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Centre Tim Stutzle, suiting up in his 400th career game, picked up an assist to extend his point-scoring streak to five games. Tkachuk’s second of the night came into the empty net as Arturs Silovs headed for the bench.
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“We’re happy about the way every guy played,” said Tkachuk. “We were hard to play against, and we didn’t give up too much. Everybody was really focused and dialled in tonight.”
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HOME, SWEET HOME
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After getting swept in a three-game homestand to start the month, the Senators had lost four straight in Ottawa. It was the club’s first win at home since Nov. 13 against the Boston Bruins.
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Coming off a 3-2 overtime victory on Monday in Winnipeg, the Senators are trying desperately to get some consistency back in their game. It hasn’t been there nearly enough this season.
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The Senators were firmly in control of this game after 40 minutes.
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Giroux picked up a loose puck in front and beat Silovs through the five-hole at 4:50 of the second.
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Perron achieved a milestone with his 800th career point in Game No. 1,207 of his career. He redirected a pass in front past Silovs only 1:34 into the second to give the Senators a much-needed 2-0 lead.
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That play started with Jake Sanderson, a lefty, making a smart read and starting the play with Michael Amadio’s right-handed stick.
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The Senators played a solid first and were up 1-0 as a result.
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Tkachuk opened the scoring only 2:16 in the first on the power play. He was alone in front, took a pass from Batherson and beat Silovs on the glove side. That was his first goal at home this season.