5 Takeaways From Senators’ 3-2 Double OT Loss to Hurricanes in Game 2 – Hockey Writers – Ottawa Senators

It was a lot of emotions for the Ottawa Senators throughout the second game of their first round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. For a moment, it was doubtful whether the Senators would score in the series, then the offense woke up, and the wait saved them the entire game.

Despite all that, they lost a two-goal overtime winner, but regained their spark after being down one.

Despite losing 3-2 in double overtime, there are some important takeaways from this game.

Tkachuk Makes Unpredictable Start

Across the first two games of the Senators series, Brady Tkachuk recorded nine penalty minutes. That’s a lot of time for two games.

Tkachuk started the playoffs by battling Jordan Staal, knocking him out in the first five minutes of the game. The stats are floating around the internet, credit to the folks at SensCentral for finding this out in the first place, but the Senators are 12-28-3 when Tkachuk wrestles.

Now, in Game 2, Tkachuk took just over five minutes into the game. After the game, when Dylan Cozens had an offensive position. This led to an early power play opportunity, which Logan Stankoven made the most of.

Discipline has been a major focus for the Senators for two games. The Hurricanes have had six power-play opportunities so far, and the odd penalty in overtime of Game 2. That includes five of the ‘Canes’ three-pointers.

Now, after many were disappointed with his start, Tkachuk had a big comeback throughout the game. He was full of the puck, had a strong body, and had many high quality chances throughout the game.

After hitting overtime, Tkachuk came very close to finishing, but Frederik Andersen continued his strong night, closing the door on that game. On Jordan Martinook’s overtime-winning goal, Tkachuk had a chance to clear the puck, but his stick rolled off his hands, and the Hurricanes held on for the win. A tough break, but the captain had a great game after the penalty.

Senators Show Greater Levels of Resilience

As the Senators passed the halfway mark, they had officially gone the first 90 minutes of the series without a goal. They lasted another 47 seconds, however, as Jake Sanderson made a great play at the blue line to maintain pressure on the offensive zone.

Drake Batherson then, as the underdog of the game, looked for a pass that ended up back on his stick, and then opened a second chance over Andersen to put the team on the board.

From that point on, the Senators looked completely rejuvenated. It was as if that one goal gave the team life in the series.

Six minutes later, Cozens drove deep into the Hurricanes zone and sent a soft shot past Andersen, which ended up in the five hole.

The Senators carried that momentum into the next three hockey seasons, and looked pretty good.

Ullmark Out-Duels Andersen in Goalie Showdown Despite Loss

One of the biggest questions about the Senators heading into the playoffs was scoring. Linus Ullmark has been, without a doubt, the Senators’ best player through two games.

Despite the loss, Ullmark was undoubtedly the better goalkeeper, but the team could not capitalize on so many chances. A common phrase, not limited to hockey, is that you make your own luck. No matter what the Senators do, they end up with bad luck with the puck. There is a lack of finishing ability in the team, but there have been an unbelievable number of near misses, goals, and goal line saves for the Hurricanes. They beat Andersen many times, but could not cross the line.

According to MoneyPuck, Ullmark finished the game with a 4.78 goals-against average, leaving him with a 1.78 goals-against average. Andersen, who was also very good and deserves credit for his performance in two games, had a 2.29 goals-against average. Analytically, it came down to an overtime goal to decide that, but Ullmark had a statement game.

With his shiny gloves, his composure in net, and especially the big increase in shot attempts, he deserves a lot of praise for this game.

Strange Shooting/Disobedience Situation Boosts Senatorial Hopes

The Senators had a successful 6-0 record when it came to offside challenges during the regular season, and video coach Mike King was a big reason for that.

In the dying minutes of the first overtime, Martinook broke away and was on the receiving end of a handball. There was a delayed penalty called, but the Senators couldn’t find the floor for nearly a minute.

Mark Jankowski got the rebound off Ullmark’s pads and hit the game-winner, or so they thought.

Now, in extra time, the NHL automatically starts the review, but there might have been no reason to look at it if the head coach Travis Green had not brought so much attention to it, which may have been in the hands of a message from the Lord.

The offside call was highly controversial. The decision on the game, according to Elliotte Friedman, is that the league believes that Staal did not have control of the puck as he crossed the blue line, and therefore, he sat himself out.

However it happened, it saved the game for the Senators for now.

Martinook had a penalty after the goal was called back, and as mentioned above, Ullmark saved it.

Senators’ Defensive Depth Shines In OT Loss

With Artem Zub and Tyler Kleven out of the lineup, it was Dennis Gilbert and Lassi Thomson playing in their spots.

The two defenders met for only 28 minutes, passing each defender individually. In limited minutes, both played hard on defense, kept the Hurricanes offense out, and had an expected field goal percentage of over 58 percent.

Thomson has been a hot topic for the past month. It’s been a bumpy road between him and the Senators after being selected in the first round of the 2019 draft, but he’s played well in meaningful games and in big minutes at times.

Gilbert has been more active on the third team, and in protected minutes, he’s had a solid game, too.

Analytically, Sanderson didn’t have a great game, but that’s because he played for a long time. Both he and Thomas Chabot passed the 40-minute mark, and fatigue was setting in for both of them.

Chabot had a number of unnecessary turnovers, and Sanderson wasn’t as efficient with his stick and swing as he usually is. Not a bad game by any means, but in a double-overtime game, fatigue sets in, and maybe the depth defenders could have been given more time.

The Senators will benefit from the two-day break, both because they will need more rest after this game and because it will give Zub and Kleven another day to prepare for their return.