3 takeaways from Senators' 5-4 overtime win in Vancouver against Canucks

From Pacific Time, to Mountain Time, and back to Pacific Time. Three games in two different time zones in five nights was the start of the Ottawa Senators' nine-game road trip. After a 3-2 overtime win against the Calgary Flames on Thursday night, the Senators headed to Vancouver for a clash against the Vancouver Canucks.

The Senators came into Vancouver riding a five-game winning streak. Looking to avenge their 4-3 loss against the Canucks in Ottawa from Nov. 23, the Senators came through in the clutch.

The Senators defeated the Canucks 5-4 in overtime at Rogers Arena to improve to 18-13-2 on the season. With the win, the Senators extended their winning streak to a season-high six consecutive games.

For the second consecutive game, the Senators needed overtime to win the game. The win helped the Senators improve to 8-1-1 in December, and a perfect 3-0-0 in the first three games of their nine-game road trip.

3. Slow start to the season, but hot stretch in December continues

Shane Pinto had a rough stretch when he went 19 games without a goal and 15 games without a point. On Dec. 13, Pinto scored two goals in the Senators' 3-0 win against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Since then, Pinto has scored three more goals to have five goals in a five-game span. Against the Canucks, Pinto's offense came through big. Pinto scored two goals for the second time in a five-game span. Pinto scored to give the Senators a 2-0 lead and a 3-2 lead. Pinto also added an assist to have a three-point game.

Pinto was having a cold stretch and couldn't get out of his slump. Now, Pinto has raised his offense and continued his hot December stretch.

2. Congrats on your first!

Goaltender Anton Forsberg suffered an injury in the Senators' win on Dec. 14 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After the game, Forsberg wouldn't be ready to return for the start of the road trip. That led to 22-year-old Leevi Merilainen getting the call up to the NHL.

After Linus Ullmark started the first three games of the road trip and the Senators having a back-to-back on the schedule, head coach Travis Green opted to start Merilainen against the Canucks. It was Merilainen's first game played since April 6, 2023.

Merilainen was 0-1-1 in his NHL career prior to getting the start. Although Merilainen did allow four goals to the Canucks' high powered offense, Merilainen finished the game by making 21 saves to earn his first NHL win. Merilainen made 10 saves in the third period.

Every goaltender will remember their first NHL win. For Merilainen, the third time was the charm as he earned his first NHL win in his third career game.

1. Overtime clutch again

Last game against the Flames, Brady Tkachuk scored the overtime winner to win the game for the Senators. For the second consecutive game, the Senators needed overtime.

Defenseman Jake Sanderson was great throughout the game with his passing abilities as he entered overtime with two assists in the game. Instead of relying on his passing in overtime, Sanderson showed he can score goals.

Just 15 seconds into overtime, Sanderson scored the overtime winner past Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen to give the Senators the win. Sanderson's goal was his first since Oct. 14, which ended a 29-game goal drought. The overtime winner helped Sanderson record a three-point game for the first time since Oct. 19 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

With the win, the Senators now ahead of the Penguins by three points for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, and remain right behind the Boston Bruins for the first Wild Card spot.

In less than 24 hours, the Senators have a quick turnaround as they conclude a back-to-back at 8 p.m. ET at Rogers Place against the Edmonton Oilers before the Christmas break. The Oilers defeated the Senators 5-2 in Ottawa on Nov. 19 in the first meeting of the season.