Fabian Zetterlund scored with 2:22 remaining in regulation to guide the Ottawa Senators to a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals.
The Capitals cruised to a 2-0 first-period lead on goals by Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome, outshooting the Senators 16-6 during the opening 20 minutes.
The Senators regrouped in the second period, scoring a pair of their. Former Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen netted his second of the season, originally credited to Ridly Greig. Then Greig got his stick on a puck that bounced behind Caps goalie Logan Thompson to even the game at two with 29 seconds on the clock.
Just 2:47 into the third, Nick Cousins ducked an incoming check, passing to Stephen Halliday who’s backhand dish to David Perron gave the Senators their first lead of the day. A few minutes later, Ottawa tucked one past Thompson inside the right post. However, the goal was immediately waved off form presumably goaltender interference, though no explanation was provided to the 18,500 fans.
When asked by Hockey HotStove if he received an explanation from officials Riley Brace and Pierre Lambert, Senators head coach Travis Green said, “No”.
Capitals Alexei Protas’ wrister with 4:07 remaining in regulation tied it at three, setting up Zetterlund’s game-winner for the Senators 1:45 later. Tim Stützle found Thomas Chabot crossing the blue line. Chabot made a spinning highlight reel backhand pass to Zetterlund which stood up in the final moments as the GWG.
Stützle’s assist extended his point streak to 11 games. Stūtzle has registered eight goals, nine assists over this period.
Another Senators Slow Start
Not unlike their previous outing versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Senators didn’t start on time. Ottawa trailed 2-0 after one period in the New Year’s Day matineé. Washington was on a second game of a back-to-back, but it was Ottawa who appeared sluggish.
We’re A Team
Though the pair of opening periods were comparable, the Senators head coach held different thoughts postgame. Green told assembled media, ” I think the last game we were tired. Sometimes when you’re three days off here, you waste a lot of energy. It’s not the norm when you play a game. Just thought tonight we weren’t invested into the game mentally or physically. But again, give our group a lot of credit, when you hit down two against a good team, it’s not easy to come back. Probably could have four goals in that period.”
To steal a quote from Senators former general manager Pierre Dorion, “We’re a team.”
Ottawa received contributions throughout the lineup. Green subtly juggled all four lines partway through the second, finding success.
Starting lines
Tkachuk-Stutzle-Zetterlund
Perron-Cozens-Batherson
Amadio-Pinto-Giroux
Greig-Halliday-Cousins
Ending lines
Zetterlund-Stützle-Giroux
Tkachuk-Cozens-Batherson
Greig-Pinto-Amadio
Perron-Halliday-Cousins
The Senators third line was responsible for two of their four goals. Greig tallied his third marker in four games. Shane Pinto recorded a pair of helpers in his second game since returning to the lineup after missing 10 games. Perron finished a hard-working fourth line goal. While what can be considered 1A netted what stood up as the game-winner from Zetterlund.
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Batherson Drops The Mitts
At times, dropping the gloves can shift the momentum of a game. Thus was the case when Senators Drake Batherson squared off with Capitals Justin Sourdif with slightly over five minutes remaining in the first period.
A few minutes earlier, D-man Thomas Chabot was leveled by Sourdif behind the Senators net during an Ottawa power play. Chabot sustained a cut cheek from Sourdif’s tough but clean hit. Batherson challenged the Capitals forward to a fight the next time they were facing each other.
Not known to drop the mitts, the skirmish was just Batherson’s third in his six NHL seasons. The fight gave his teammates life and livend the Senators play the remainder of the game.
“I mean, “Chabby” (Chabot) gets smoked. You know, we’re playing against the line, and I had the first opportunity to do something. Whether it’s him (Chabot) or anybody else, we all got each other’s backs and just figured it was right to do it. I mean, obviously, I don’t do it a lot, and everyone was pretty fired up. But that’s how we feel about every fight, no matter who fights, everyone gets pumped up for them,” explained Batherson.
An honest Chabot admitted fault as he wasn’t expecting to be hit by Sourdif in that situation, but also expressed gratitude towards Batherson.
“On that hit, there’s that some are dirty out there. That one was on me. I knew he was coming. I took it for granted he wasn’t gonna hit me. That’s a lesson, obviously, learned pretty hard, unfortunately. But no, I love that man, Drake I told him he didn’t have to do that, but that shows you what kind of team we are. We’re tight group. We love each other in here, and we’re gonna stick together.”
The Senators next face the Winnipeg Jets Saturday evening at the Canadian Tire Centre.
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