2 quick takeaways from Senators' 5-4 overtime loss to the Flyers at home

Brady Tkachuk
Brady Tkachuk | Troy Parla/GettyImages

After earning two important road wins against the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, the Ottawa Senators returned home for one game to host the Philadelphia Flyers.

Confidence was rightfully riding high for the Senators. Entering tonight, the Senators needed to gain ground on the Flyers as the Flyers entered the game two points behind the Senators in the standings. In a wacky game, the Senators couldn't prevail.

The Flyers defeated the Senators 5-4 in overtime to drop the Senators to 8-7-1 on the season. While the Senators will take the point to help them in the standings, it was a game that the Senators dominated for most of the game.

When the Senators were up 4-2 halfway through the third period, it appeared all signs were pointing in the right direction for the Senators earning their third consecutive win. However, it was a game that the Senators will need to forget about immediately.

2. Linus Ullmark had his worst game as a Senator

Linus Ullmark was stellar in his last start against the Maple Leafs with earning a 27-save shutout. Ullmark's start against the Flyers was the first time this season where he started three consecutive games.

Against the Flyers, Ullmark was at his worse. Ullmark allowed in two goals through the first two periods, but the Flyers had seven shots on goal in 40 minutes, and there was a stretch of over 14 minutes in the second period where the Flyers didn't record a shot on goal.

After Adam Gaudette scored to make it 4-2 Senators, momentum appeared to be on the Senators side, until it wasn't. In just a span of 2:03 following Gaudette's goal, the Flyers tied the game and overtime would be needed

Matvei Michkov scored the overtime winner with under one minute to go to give the Flyers the win to improve to 7-8-2 on the season. Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov outperformed Ullmark by making 33 saves as Ullmark finished with 14 saves.

Tonight was the third time this season where Ullmark allowed in five goals, but given the fact the Senators had a two-goal lead in the third period and Ullmark allowed in three goals afterward, tonight is the worst game of the season for him.

1. Offense stayed hot, but one player has emerged drastically over the past three games

One player the Senators needed to get going was Josh Norris. Against the Bruins and Maple Leafs, Norris scored the first goal of the game. Against the Flyers, Norris remained hot.

Norris scored the goal to make it 3-2 Senators under 4.5 minutes into the third period. Norris also added a beautiful assist on Brady Tkachuk's goal in the first. Norris has now recorded four points over the past three games after going pointless in the first four games to start November.

Along with Norris, Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle remained hot with both of them now recording points in 13 of the Senators' 16 games. Drake Batherson's powerplay goal has now helped him record a point in four consecutive games.

Two players got off the schneid as Travis Hamonic recorded his first point of the season, and Gaudette ended a four-game goal drought. Thomas Chabot and Ridly Greig each recorded two assists as well.

The Senators will return to action on Saturday night when they travel to Lenovo Center to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have an 11-4-0 record, but have lost two of their last three games with the most recent being a 4-1 loss against the Utah Hockey Club. The Hurricanes do have a 5-1-0 record at home to the Senators' 3-5-0 road record, but the Senators have won two consecutive road games.

Schedule