3 takeaways from Senators' 3-2 overtime win against Penguins

After a huge 3-0 shutout win last night against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Ottawa Senators had a quick turnaround as they headed back home to Ottawa to play the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first time this season. Tonight was the final home game of 2024 before a nine-game road trip for the Senators.

Both the Senators and Penguins came into tonight with 30 points in the Eastern Conference. With the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers both losing in regulation prior to the game, it helped give the Senators and Penguins a chance to gain ground on one another in the Eastern Conference standings, but one showed why he is the captain of his team.

The Senators defeated the Penguins 3-2 in overtime at Canadian Tire Centre. With the win, the Senators improved to 15-13-2.

For the first time this season, the Senators have won three consecutive games. Closing out the final home game of 2024 with a win against a rival was a game the Senators needed to have before starting their crucial nine-game road trip.

3. Another monkey comes off the back

In Carolina last night, the Senators had two players end long goal droughts. Shane Pinto ended his 19-game goal drought and Nick Jensen ended his 15-game goal drought.

Against the Penguins, it was Thomas Chabot's turn to end a long goal drought. Chabot scored the opening goal of the game at 7:34 of the first period. It was Chabot's first goal since Oct. 14. The goal ended a 26-game goal drought for Chabot.

While Chabot has been able to play a lot of minutes and play good defense this season, Chabot's offense makes him a better all-around defenseman. Now with ending his 26-game goal drought and adding an assist in the win, it can help re-store Chabot's confidence on offense.

2. Starting two consecutive games on two consecutive nights doesn't bother him one bit

Prior to the game, Anton Forsberg suffered an injury and wouldn't be able to play in the game. That led to Linus Ullmark starting for the second consecutive game in two consecutive nights.

Once again, Ullmark came through in goal and earned the win by making 25 saves in the win. Ullmark continues to be hot in goal and is now 6-0-1 in his last seven starts.

Starting two consecutive games on two consecutive nights for a goaltender might be a difficult challenge, but it didn't bother Ullmark tonight. With Ullmark remaining hot in goal, even with starting on back-to-back nights, it shows Ullmark can continue to be in between the pipes on short rest.

1. That's why he's the captain!

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has heard his name in trade rumors with the New York Rangers this month. Tkachuk needed to respond to the rumors in a big fashion. Against the Penguins, Tkachuk showed why he wears the C on his Senators jersey.

After the Penguins tied the game on two different occasions in the third period, overtime would be needed to determine a winner. The Senators would need someone to play the role of hero. Look no further than the captain.

At 1:46 of overtime, Tkachuk scored the overtime winner past Tristan Jarry to give the Senators the overtime win and send the Canadian Tire Centre crowd into a frenzy. It was Tkachuk's 15th goal of the season.

Tkachuk's winner helped the Senators start December off 5-1-1 and put them at 32 points in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Senators will return to action on Tuesday night when they begin their important nine-game road trip as they travel to Climate Pledge Arena to take on the Seattle Kraken. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. The Senators defeated the Kraken 3-0 on Nov. 2 in Ottawa behind a 22-save shutout by Forsberg.