The Ottawa Senators home-opening win streak came to an end at the hands of the Nashville Predators. The game itself was closer than the 4-1 score indicated, with the Predators adding a pair of late empty-net markers.
Jake Sanderson appeared to give the Senators a 1-0 lead 6:05 into the second. However, the goal was overturned in what many construed as a controversial decision.
Predators Jonathan Marchessault scored the first goal which counted six minutes later off a failed clear by Jordan Spence making his Senators debut. Spence’s clearing attempt bounced of the skate of Dylan Cozens and Michael Bunting found a darting Marchessault.
Ryan O’Reilly put his team up two with 5:22 remaining in the third period, before Cozens sent pass to the net, glancing off Ridly Greig on a late power play with Linus Ullmark on the bench for a sixth attacker to get the Senators within one.
Marchessault’s second of the game sealed it for the Predators into empty net. Cole Smith added another ENG to close out the Thanksgiving matinee.
Senators captain Tkachuk sustains an injury
However, the focus for Sens fans wasn’t on the loss, Brady Tkachuk sustained an injury 5:24 into the opening frame. Predators Norris Trophy d-man Roman Josi crosschecked the Senators captain from behind with the moment carrying Tkachuk into the end boards.
The 25-year-old briefly headed to the Senators dressing room and returned a couple of minutes later. What is concerning was that Tkachuk was unable to play the final 9:04 of the contest. He was seen postgame with his right wrist taped up.
Ottawa head coach Travis Green said Tkachuk was being evaluated postgame and that his leaving wasn’t for precautionary reasons.
The game wasn’t without controversary.
Goalie Interference?
Sanderson beat Predators’ Juuse Saros top shelf in what would’ve been the game’s opening goal in the second period. Predators head coach Andrew Brunette challenged the goal call on the ice as Senators Tim Stützle skated through crease grazing Saros.
Saros was able to shift to his right as Sanderson was firing the puck. The issue is; no NHL goaltender was making that stop given the ferocity and placement of the shot.
The league’s decision per Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch:
Green vehemently disagreed with overturned goal, taking the high road, “I think it’s better if I don’t really comment on it. It was a strange night, for sure. I was really shocked that our goal didn’t count, to be honest.”
Despite the defeat, the Senators did some good things.
Ullmark strong in net
Linus Ullmark had a “mind of a goldfish” bouncing back from a subpar performance Saturday in Florida. The backstop made 22 saves, several of the spectacular variety, and was a key to the Senators penalty kill success.
Perfect PK for the Senators in this game
After being scored on five of eight occasions while shorthanded over their first two games, the Senators killed of all six Predators power plays. The Senators PK was more aggressive, plus Ullmark made the “extra saves” he said he needed to do after the loss to the Panthers.
Faceoff Superiority
Not only did the Senators have the edge in faceoff wins, they won a whopping 55 of 77 (71%).
Tim Stützle 11-3 (79%)
Shane Pinto 12-4 (75%)
Claude Giroux 11-4 (73%)
Dylan Cozens 10-4 (71%)
The Senators lead the NHL with a 65.3% mark.
The Senators next head to Buffalo for the first game of a back-to-back Wednesday, where they”ll debut their new alternate sweater. They return to face the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
It’s unknown at this time if Brady Tkachuk will be in the lineup, though it’s hopeful forward Drake Batherson will make his season debut after sustaining an upper=body injury during practice September 23.
