Thoughts On Senators Win Over Penguins

The Ottawa Senators scored four unanswered goals to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 on Saturday. Michael Amadio, Claude Giroux, Tim Stutzle, and Thomas Chabot scored in the victory, and Linus Ullmark made 16 saves in the win.

Game Thoughts

The Senators’ start to the game was rather pedestrian, not unlike several games of late. However, they’re finding ways to win.

In Saturday’s case, Ottawa gave up a league-high ninth goal in the last minute of a period, per Sportsnet Stats, to trail 1-0 heading into the second frame. However, they shut down Pittsburgh over the final 40 minutes, outshooting the Penguins 28-10 in the process.

In addition, the Senators penalty kill didn’t permit a shot on goal in three Penguins power-play attempts.

Call it “maturity” or “resilience,” buzzwords tossed around by players and head coach Travis Green after Thursday’s comeback and eventual 4-3 overtime victory versus the Avalanche.

No Margins For Error

Only one-quarter into the season and scoreboard watching is already underway. The Senators are 5-1-2 in their past eight games and vaulted themselves into a tie in points (28) for tops in the Atlantic, albeit Tampa Bay and Montreal each possess one game in hand.

There’s literally no wiggle room in the division with five teams, including Boston and Florida separated by a mere two points. The good news: Ottawa is a clear eight points from dropping out of a possible postseason berth, though it’s certainly.

Third line magic

Injuries of late have necessitated wholesale line shuffling.

Bumped to the second line, Shane Pinto is the midst of notching seven goals, 10 points in nine games. With this, Ridly Greig is fitting in seamlessly at centre on the Senators perceived checking trio, between Michael Amadio and Claude Giroux.

Giroux registered Ottawa’s game-winning marker darting down the ice, winning a foot race, stuffing a backhand past Penguins rookie goaltender Sergei Murashov. The 20-year veteran appears to be even quicker this season in comparison to last year.

And for Amadio, a spectacular start to the 2026-27 campaign couldn’t have occurred at a better time. On this night, he added one goal, one assist.

Amadio is a pending unrestricted frre agent who’s currently on pace to eclipse personal bests in goals and points. The native of Sault Ste. Marie, ON is already one goal away from half of his 16-goal high.

Injury Bug

First it was Senators d-men dropping like flies, now it’s the forwards’ turn.

Hayden Hodgson left after the second period after sustaining a “tweak” to the groin, per the Senators head coach. Hodgson joins William Eklund, Warren Foegele, Andre Burakovsky, and Nick Cousins, who are all out of the lineup.

The club is heading to Winnipeg and will require another forward, that is unless Green elects to dress 11 forwards, seven defenseman.

Ullmark Stands Tall

He wasn’t busy by any means, but Linus Ullmark made key saves when needed. Ullmark stopped 16 of 17 Penguins shots en route to his 200th regular-season win.

What can be said of the Senators netminder who’s an early Vezina candidate? Ullmark is posting a 9-1-0 record, including a league-leading 1.47 goals-against average and a .939 Save Percentage.

Burakovsky Era Over?

Andre Burakovsky’s time in Ottawa may be over before it really began. Acquired in a June 26 trade from Chicago in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick, the swap hasn’t gone as expected for Senators general manager Steve Staios.

Currently injured, missing the past seven games, Burakovsky failed to earn a point in eight games played. The 31-year-old was also absent the opening four games of the season due to injury, and was a healthy scratch in two others.

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman noted Saturday that the Senators are exploring trade possibilities. It’s likely Burakovsky would like a quick change of scenery after not fitting into Green’s system. However, injury and his $5.5 million cap hit will make Burakovsky’s contract tough to move. Actual salary on the pending UFA’s deal is $3.75M, which contains a 10-team modified no-trade clause.

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