The Ottawa senators are looking for a faster start of the blocks in their bid to stop a four-game road that loses ski Wednesday against the host Chicago Blackhawks.
After overcome a deficit of the 2-1 third period to beat the low San Jose Sharks 5-3 on Saturday at home, the struggling senators handed over the first three goals of the game later in a 5-4 shootout loss on Washington Capitals.
“I don’t like to come down 3-0 but we showed a lot of character that came back,” Ottawa head coach Travis Green said after his team fell to 1-5-1 in his last seven matches.
Shane Pinto scored goals during the second and third periods to highlight the rally against Washington.
“I think starting is a big part of the game, and in the last two games I didn’t think we had too sharp starts,” Pinto said. “Yes, we have to be more mature there and just have a better start.”
Claude Giroux collected a goal and an assist and Captain Brady Tkachuk counted in his second competition in a row since returning from an injury and increased his team -leading goal a total of 23.
“When we went into the third we were down 3-1 but we felt good with our game, but we knew that if we continued to play the same way we would get our chances,” Giroux told TSN 1200.
Tim Stutzle noted two assists to expand his franchise re-examination assistant to 11 matches and career best points streak to 12 matches (four goals, 14 assists). Stutzle leads the team in assists (44) and points (63).
While Ottawa has been heading in the wrong direction, Chicago has responded to a gloomy 5-16-5 who is running by winning the following matches for the first time since he earned three straight wins December 15-19.
Crime has not been a question for the Blackhawks during their last three matches. They followed up a 7-5 backlash to Vegas Golden Knights Thursday with a 6-3 victory in Anaheim two nights later and a 5-1 rush over Los Angeles on Monday.
Ryan Donato continued his dry route by scoring his team -leading 22nd goal Monday to expand his points streak to five matches (three goals, five assists). He owns 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) during his last 16 games.
Spencer Knight shone in his debut with Chicago and recorded a season’s high 41 rescues versus the kings. He was acquired by the Blackhawks together with a conditional first round in the 2026 NHL draft from Florida Panthers Saturday for defender Seth Jones and a fourth election in the draft 2026.
“I said it, no matter how smooth things are going, the first week or so to feel like chaos,” Knight said. “It’s just as it is. But I think I’ve learned to embrace it. I’ve gone through many difficult challenges in my life. It’s another step in the trip. I think I want to bring what I witnessed and was part of in Florida, bring it here.”
Teuvo Teravainen, who has noted two assists in back-to-back games, rides on a five-game point streak (two goals, six assists).
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