The Ottawa Senators claimed a 3-2 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking their third consecutive win. In their final home game of the year, captain Brady Tkachuk scored the game-winning goal in overtime, while Thomas Chabot contributed a goal and an assist for a two-point performance. Drake Batherson also found the back of the net, and goaltender Linus Ullmark delivered a strong performance, stepping in last minute to start for the second night in a row. Ullmark’s key saves were instrumental in keeping Ottawa in the game.
Thomas Chabot opened the scoring midway through the first period after receiving a well-executed pass from Claude Giroux. Ottawa carried a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, outshooting and outhitting the Penguins. The second period remained scoreless, with Ullmark making several crucial saves, including a highlight-reel stop against Sidney Crosby late in the frame to preserve the Senators’ narrow lead.
Early in the third period, the Penguins tied the game 1-1 when Blake Lizotte scored. The Senators quickly regained the lead minutes later as Drake Batherson redirected a Thomas Chabot shot into the net. However, Kris Letang responded for Pittsburgh with a goal late in regulation, tying the game at 2-2 and forcing overtime.
In the extra period, Brady Tkachuk came through for the Senators with a spectacular game-winning goal. Receiving a breakout pass from Jake Sanderson, Tkachuk maneuvered around Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and beat Tristan Jarry five-hole to secure the win. Sanderson earned the lone assist on the decisive goal, capping off an exciting night for Ottawa.
Linus Ullmark was outstanding, finishing with 25 saves on 27 shots and a .926 save percentage. His performance continued a strong streak of games, maintaining a goals-against average under 2.00 and a save percentage above .925% for the fifth consecutive contest. The Senators now head on the road, starting with a matchup against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, before returning home on January 6 to face the Buffalo Sabres.
