The Ottawa Senators are closer to having a good chance at the Draft Lottery than they are being a playoff team. However, they are certainly not one of the five worst teams in the league but they haven’t taken that big step yet either like some thought they might.
On Monday night, however, they showed that they can make your life as an opponent very difficult if you don’t play them very well. This time, the victim was the Calgary Flames who are fighting hard for a playoff berth in the Western Conference.
Down 3-1 late in the third period, the Sens pulled their goaltender to give themselves a chance at 6-5. Well, Drake Batherson scored to get his team within one, which gave them a legitimate opportunity to get it tied to force overtime.
26 seconds of game clock later, Alex DeBrincat scored on a brilliant shot to get it tied. They actually did it, and overtime was in fact needed to figure this one out. It was a truly sensational ending to a very good game that featured lots of skill.
One player stood out the most in the Ottawa Senators’ big win on Monday.
Tim Stutzle had an assist on all three Senators’ goals from regulation. It was only fitting that he score the game-winning goal in overtime to finish off the comeback for the Sens. His 23rd goal and 53rd point came at the perfect time.
Stutzle was the third overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. However, he would go first overall if things were to be done over again. So far, he has been better than pretty much every player from his draft class. Anyone that comes close was actually drafted after him, not before.
All of these Senators players mentioned are so good, and I haven’t even mentioned their All-Star captain Brady Tkachuk who is incredible. They are building something nice there and should end up being very good as the years move along. You saw a touch of it here.
These guys are back in action one night later on Tuesday for a matchup against the New York Islanders. This is another playoff bubble team for the Senators to try and play well against.
With all of this talent, they will be on the other side in the not-so-distant future, and Stutzle is a big reason for it. He is becoming a superstar right in front of our eyes.