3 takeaways from Senators' 3-2 overtime win against Flames in Calgary

After their 3-0 shutout win against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night, the Ottawa Senators won a season-high four consecutive games. The Senators would go from Pacific Time to Mountain Time as they headed to Calgary to take on the Calgary Flames in the second game of their nine-game road trip.

The Senators were eager to sweep the two-game season series against the Flames just like they did against the Kraken on Tuesday, and the Senators capitalized in the clutch.

The Senators defeated the Flames 3-2 in overtime at Scotiabank Saddledome to improve to 17-13-2 on the season. The Senators extended their season-high winning streak to five consecutive games.

With the overtime win, the Senators are now 7-1-1 in December. In a tight hard fought game against the Flames, one player showed why he is the captain by coming through in the clutch.

3. One forward continues a much needed hot December

When November concluded, Nick Cousins had only recorded four points in 21 games played. Cousins was having a disastrous start to his Senators tenure.

When December arrived, the Senators needed Cousins to have a good month to produce offense. Now nine games into the month, Cousins has played much better.

Cousins now has five points in nine games for the month. Against the Flames, Cousins scored to tie the game at one in the final minute of the first period goal for his third goal of the month.

It seemed that Cousins was not fitting with the Senators in October and November, but he has certainly changed his game in a huge way in December.

2. Another long goal drought ends and dominance against Flames continued

For Ridly Greig, he has had troubles scoring goals this season. Greig last scored a goal on Nov. 5 against the Buffalo Sabres, but Greig was able to contribute offensively with assists. However, Greig came through in the third period with a spectacular play.

At 6:24 of the third period, Greig scored a shorthanded goal to give the Senators a 2-1 lead after creating a turnover for his third goal of the season. Greig's goal helped him end a 19-game goal drought.

With his goal, Greig finished with recording three points in the two games against the Flames this season. Greig recorded two assists in the first meeting.

On Dec. 13, Shane Pinto ended his 19-game goal drought. Less than a week later, it was Greig's turn to end his 19-game goal drought against the Flames.

1. Bend don't break

Fifty-two seconds later after Greig's shorthanded goal, Jonathan Huberdeau tied the game at two on the powerplay. After both teams had quality chances for the rest of the period, both Linus Ullmark and Dan Vladar stood tall. With the game tied at two after 60 minutes, overtime was needed.

After making a huge save on Huberdeau, Ullmark threw a long pass to Tim Stutzle to set up a 2-on-1 with Brady Tkachuk. After Stutzle was denied by Vladar, Tkachuk would bury the overtime winner just 55 seconds into overtime. Ullmark recorded an assist on the goal and Tkachuk scored his 16th goal of the season.

Earlier in the game, Tkachuk needed to go to the locker room and receive stitches after Mikael Backlund received a four-minute penalty for high-sticking Tkachuk. For Tkachuk to come back with a stitched up face and score the overtime winner, it shows he's tough as nails.

Ullmark continued his hot stretch with making 29 saves in the win to improve to 8-0-1 in his last night starts.

With the win, the Senators remained in the second Wild Card spot after the Pittsburgh Penguins won in overtime against the Nashville Predators. The Penguins trail the Senators again by one point for the second Wild Card spot.

The Senators are now two points behind the Boston Bruins for the first Wild Card spot after the Bruins lost 3-2 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers. The Senators have played two less games than the Penguins and Bruins.

The Senators will continue their road trip on Saturday night when they head to Rogers Arena to take on the Vancouver Canucks at 10 p.m. ET. The Canucks defeated the Senators in Ottawa 4-3 on Nov. 23 in the first meeting of the season.