3 takeaways from Senators' 4-3 win in Motown against Red Wings

In the middle of a tight playoff race, the Ottawa Senators headed to the Motor City for a clash against the Detroit Red Wings cold with losing three of their last four games in regulation with the most recent being a 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.

All three games against the Red Wings prior to Thursday night were decided by one goal. In the fourth and final meeting of the season, it would take yet another one goal finish.

The Senators defeated the Red Wings 4-3 at Little Caesars Arena to improve to 38-28-5 on the season. With the win, the Senators now have 81 points on the season to remain in the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

In four meetings against the Red Wings this season, the Senators earned seven out of a possible eight points. The Red Wings came into tonight trailing the Senators by seven points in the standings, but the Senators gained more ground on the Red Wings.

3. First as a Senator was a solid dish

Just prior to the trade deadline ending, the Senators acquired Fabian Zetterlund in a trade with the San Jose Sharks. The first eight games for Zetterlund went rough as he entered tonight with no points as a Senator. That changed early into the game.

After the Senators killed off a Zetterlund penalty, Zetterlund found himself out of the box to set up Thomas Chabot to score the opening goal of the 5:49 into the game. Zetterlund at last recorded his first point as a Senator by picking up an assist on Chabot's goal.

It may have took until game nine for Zetterlund to get his first point as a Senator, but a monkey came off Zetterlund's back on the goal.

2. Staying hot in March

When March arrived, David Perron was struggling with the Senators. As February concluded, Perron had recorded four points n 20 games played on the season.

Since March, Perron has been a big boost to the Senators' offense. In 13 games in March, Perron has now recorded 10 points. Just 1:33 into the second period, Perron scored to extend the Senators' lead to 3-0 against the Red Wings. Perron's goal would get Alex Lyon pulled from the net.

With his goal, Perron has recorded a goal in three consecutive games for the first time all season. Seven of Perron's points this month have been goals.

Perron's offense coming alive in March in the middle of the playoff hunt was what the Senators needed, and the 36-year-old veteran is making his presence known.

1. Never making it easy in the third period

At the end of the second period, the Senators led 3-0. In the third period, it would be a wild one for the Senators to hold a lead.

After Linus Ullmark and the penalty kill killed off five consecutive Detroit powerplay attempts, Patrick Kane got the Red Wings on the board with a powerplay goal 5:25 into the third period. Then, Michael Amadio responded 3:19 later to put the Senators back up by three goals. Amadio's goal was his sixth goal in March.

After Amadio scored to put the Senators up 4-1, Lucas Raymond and ex-Senator Vladimir Tarasenko each scored a goal in a 3:40 span to make it a 4-3 game with 4:30 remaining in regulation.

In the final minute, the Red Wings had chances to tie the game, but couldn't capitalize. The Senators found a way to escape with two crucial points. Ullmark finished the game by making 31 saves to earn the win. Ullmark won all three of his starts against the Red Wings this season.

The Senators will return to action on Saturday night at Canadian Tire Centre when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Against the Blue Jackets last season, the Senators won the season series 2-1-0.