On Thursday, the Ottawa Senators gave up the first goal for seventh time in eight games. This time, it only took 29 seconds. Fortunately it was lone goal allowed by the Senators in a tight 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Travis Konecny found Tyson Foerster who fired a wrister past Senators goalie Linus Ullmark as fans were still settling into their seats.
The Senators equalled the game at one at 7:57 of the opening period when former Flyers captain Claude Giroux sent a cross-ice pass to Michael Amadio driving to the net who beat Dan Vladar with a bullet snapshot.
Then just 3:05 into the middle frame, Lars Eller threaded a highlight reel between-the-legs pass to Olle Lycksell who deposited his first goal as a member of the Senators.
Lycksell’s tally stood up as the game-winner with the final 36:55 going goalless.
The game itself wasn’t pretty, but the result was a much-needed two points for a team that’s still striving find their identity two weeks into the season.
The Senators earned points in back-to-back outings for the first time in the 2025-26 campaign.
Claude Giroux – Senators trending in the right direction
Off to a slow start to open the season, the Senators arguably should’ve garnered at least one point versus the New York Islanders, falling with slightly over a minute remaining in regulation. Then the team took the Edmonton Oilers to overtime, gaining a point Tuesday, and now procure two in Thursday evening.
“I mean, we have to work hard for this win. And you know, sometimes it’s going to be like that. We had everybody playing, playing hard. We’re able to get the lead and and keep it. Linus made nice saves for us and it’s just another step for us. It’s not because we won tonight. We’re saying, okay, we’re there now. We still have a lot of work to do,” said Giroux who with an assist tied Toronto Maple Leafs great Darryl Sittler for 65th all-time on the NHL list, registering his 1,121st career point.
“I mean, like I said, we still have a lot of work to do, but winning – it always feels good, either you deserve it or not. I feel like tonight we deserved it. But it’s not always about the results, about getting our game where we want it to be.”
Bottom Six Forward Lines Contributing
While they didn’t contribute offensively the line of Nick Cousins-Ridly Greig-David Perron were effective. On Tuesday versus the Oilers the trio were on the ice for only Edmonton shot on goal, with the so-called Senators third line registering 14 total attempts to the Oilers three. Thursday, the combo filled the role of being more like a 50/50 line, out-attempted 5-3, Senators head coach was pleased by their efforts.
The line combined for five hits and five blocked shots, Greig led the way compiling four of each.
A first for Olle Lycksell
Appearing in his fourth game this season with the Senators, Lycksell’s marker couldn’t have come at a better time with his parents and sister, Maja visiting from their native Sweden, watching from the stands. The Lycksell family are scheduled to return home Friday when the Senators leave for a Saturday date with the Washington Capitals.
The goal, the second in his 49-game NHL career was extra-special for Lycksell as it came against his old team.
“It was a special moment. I have some family over from Sweden. So, first goal. great play by (Lars) Eller to find me there. So, yeah, great heads up play. I mean, it’s obviously really special. Obviously I celebrated a little bit, but tried to hold it back, and emotion took over a bit. But, yeah, just overall, a great game from us,” the 26-year-old acknowledged postgame.
Green and Eller took notice
Scoring also put Lycksell at ease, “I haven’t been on the sheet this this year yet. So you always want to get that first one, and then you kind of get it going, I feel like for me personally. So that was kind of a relief.”
One day prior, Senators head coach Travis Green drew high praise for Lycksell, telling Hockey HotStove, “He’s pretty nifty with the puck. We’ve done a lot of teaching with him. Probably the guy that could come in and out of lineup, understanding that as well. I think he’s got an understanding that’s professional sports, and not letting it affect you. I thought he did a good job of about going down (to Belleville) and playing a few games, getting some minutes, and there’d be a good chance that he would come back. That’s just kind of being a good teammate.”
Lycksell’s linemate Lars Eller was also impressed with his game, “Yeah, I was, I was happy for him, I think for him again, a little more comfortable every game. And I think he’s, he’s doing all the right things. I think he’s got some offense to him, like he’s trying to make plays and he’s overall. I think he’s making better and better decisions at the right time.”
