Sens Earn First Loser Point in 2-1 OT Loss to Jets
They actually deserved to win this one.
In this hellish season, one big thing has stood out about the way the Sens lose their games: it's always in regulation.
With the NHL's ridiculous point system, the ability to hang on until overtime can make or break your season. Just look at the Leafs. The Sens have lost plenty of close games this season, and if they'd just managed to get a point in a few of those loses, things wouldn't be quite so dire.
With that in mind, I guess we should all see it as progress that Ottawa finally did what we've been asking them to do all season, by losing in overtime instead of regulation. It certainly would have been frustrating if they hadn't gotten a single point out of a game in which they were, frankly, the better team. Still, it would have been nice if they'd done this in games they deserved to lose, rather than one they actually deserved to win.
Ottawa has also made a habit, this season, of coming out the gate swinging and building up a big lead, only to collapse later in the game. Sometimes they mix it up by falling behind immediately so the game is over before it’s really begun. It was nice, therefore, to see them try out a secret third strategy, which was to play a solid but largely uneventful first period that ended with no goals for either team.
The second period wasn't particularly exciting, either, with only a handful of good chances on both ends of the ice. Notably, Greig made a wonderful pass to Tkachuk at the beginning of the frame, and Sanderson hit the post toward the end. The powerplay looked distressingly ineffective in multiple opportunities.
The Jets eventually struck first, going glove side on Korpisalo toward the end of the second period. He really needs to work on that specific weakness.
Despite being down by one goal, the Sens were honestly looking like the better team. They were playing a very complete game, and getting goalie'd a bit by Hellebuyck.
Thankfully, Parker Kelly evened the score in the third period. He's been so good lately.
Kells brings @CdnTireCtr to their feet to kick off the moms trip! 🚨#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/3DFZ9eLqJL
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) January 20, 2024
The Sens got a lot of good chances throughout the third, but just couldn't get past Hellebuyck. Actually, can we talk about the Jets playing their starting goaltender against the Ottawa Senators? What's up with that? Just unfair.
The game went to overtime, and again Ottawa was the better team. There was one especially exciting scoring chance where Chabot passed to Batherson, who had a wide open net but fumbled the puck. Eventually, Winnipeg took the win.
Game Notes:
- It was a rough game for Jacob Bernard-Docker, who kept giving up the puck and missing coverage. Sucks to see a player who seemed to have so much potential just unable to make it work at the NHL level
- Chabot, on the other hand, was excellent. He was so dynamic offensively, and really took over the game at points. Almost every Sens highlight was him. It’s good to see him playing so well.
- Stützle also played really well, despite not getting on the board.
- The Tkachuk-Greig-Giroux line continues to be delightful.
- I need the powerplay to improve. I can't start criticizing Alfie. I just can't.
