OTTAWA — Brady Tkachuk knew he had to fire the puck, and the shot paid big dividends.
In his 500th career game, Tkachuk scored 33 seconds into overtime to give the Ottawa Senators a hard-fought 4-3 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday. It was the Ottawa captain’s second goal of the game.
Coincidentally, Tkachuk also played his 300th career game against the Rangers and had a two-goal game, including the overtime winner.
“It was a great play by Timmy (Stutzle), said Tkachuk. “I just knew that in that part of the ice you’ve got to shoot it. It’s a big win.”
The win allowed the Senators (32-25-5), who won their second in a row, to take over the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
It was a valuable point for the Rangers (31-26-6), who sit just outside the playoff picture, with Columbus holding the final wild-card. The two teams faceoff Sunday night in New York.
“Frustrating,” said New York centre Mika Zibanejad. “Frustrating having a 3-1 lead in the third and then giving that up and giving them the two points, but it’s a quick turnaround and get ready for tomorrow.”
Ottawa had trailed all game but put together a strong effort in the third period to force overtime.
Ottawa 3-1 after Artemi Panarin scored 7:08 into the third when he got behind Ottawa’s defence and beat Linus Ullmark, who made 20 saves, high glove to extend his goal streak to four games.
The Senators managed to beat Igor Shesterkin, who made 33 saves, twice in the final 9:44 of regulation to force the game to overtime.
“It’s just belief in the resilience that we have among each other,” added Tkachuk. “No matter how much time is left we always have a chance to come back.”
Senators head coach Travis Green liked the resilience his team showed after falling behind early and under somewhat difficult circumstances.
“I think it’s been an emotional 24 hours for not only him (Tkachuk), but the rest of our group and for having a 12:30 (p.m. ET) start,” said Green. “I give our team a lot of credit for getting focused to play tonight.”
Ridley Greig scored his 10th when he was able to bury a Dylan Cozens rebound at 10:16.
Cozens, who was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres Friday in a trade for Josh Norris, had a quick turnaround as he travelled from Florida to Ottawa in time for the game. He and Denis Gilbert, who was also part of the trade, landed in Ottawa at 9 p.m. Friday night.
“I’m just focused on winning now,” said Cozens, who had a career-high nine hits. “Just wanted to win this game so bad, especially as my first game here, and just wanted to win so I’m glad we did that.”
With 2:52 remaining in regulation, Michael Amadio was able to dig out a loose puck in front and tie the game.
“It was bouncing around,” said Rangers coach Peter Laviolette. “We had everybody down there and it was bouncing around. We need to do a better job.”
The Rangers took a 2-0 lead early in the second when Zibanejad’s shot was deflected by Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson.
Tkachuk cut the lead in half scoring 11 seconds later when he redirected a Nick Jensen shot.
The Rangers opened the scoring on their second shot of the game when Carson Soucy scored his first as a Ranger 8:37 into the first period.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 8, 2025.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
