Brady Tkachuk, the captain of the Ottawa Senators, led his club to a 4-3 comeback victory over the New York Rangers at the Canadian Tire Centre on March 8, 2025, with two goals, including the game-winning goal in overtime, in an exciting clash.
A Milestone Night for Tkachuk
Tkachuk extended his goal run to five games while showcasing his leadership and skill in his 500th NHL game.
Just 33 seconds into the extra period, he beat Rangers goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin five-hole with a wrist shot from the right slot after receiving a cross-ice serve from Tim Stützle. It was his game-winning goal.
The Senators’ Resilient Comeback
Artemi Panarin’s goal for the Rangers early in the third period put the Senators behind 3-1. However, Ottawa displayed remarkable resilience:
- Ridly Greig narrowed the gap by capitalizing on a rebound at 10:16.
- Michael Amadio tied the game at 3-3 with just under three minutes remaining in regulation, seizing a loose puck to force overtime.
Rangers’ Missed Opportunity
The Rangers, who had taken a two-goal lead, lost a big opportunity to guarantee the Eastern Conference’s top wild-card place.
New York struggled with penalties and failed to hold onto their lead despite goals from rookies Carson Soucy, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin. This highlighted the team’s continued inability to capitalize on crucial opportunities this season.
Impact on Playoff Race
The Senators moved up to a 32-25-5 record with this win, surpassing the Columbus Blue Jackets for the Eastern Conference’s first wild-card position.
As the season goes on, the Rangers, who are currently 31-26-6, are just out of the playoff position, making the competition more fierce.
Looking Ahead
In addition to demonstrating their tenacity, the Senators’ comeback victory sets a positive tone as they work to secure their postseason spot.
This defeat reminds the Rangers how crucial discipline and consistency are to their hopes of making the playoffs.
Both teams will need to improve on their weaknesses and build on their strengths as the season draws to a close in order to qualify for the playoffs.