3 takeaways from Senators' prevailing 4-3 win against Flames

When the Ottawa Senators fell 4-3 on Saturday night to the Vancouver Canucks, frustration got higher as the Senators' losing streak extended to five games with the past three losses coming at home.

When the Calgary Flames came into Ottawa while riding a four-game winning streak, it would offer as a another tough test for the Senators in the final game of a four-game home stand. In the end, the Senators were able to get off the schneid at last.

The Senators defeated the Flames 4-3 at Canadian Tire Centre to snap their five-game losing streak and improve to 9-11-1 on the season.

Brady Tkachuk would respond to the critics and his powerplay goal that made it 4-2 early in the third period would turn out to be the game-winning goal. A win was desperately needed for the Senators before heading out to the West Coast for three games. With their backs against the wall for much of the entire home stand, the Senators found a way to prevail to close out the home stand.

3. Welcome to the NHL!

The Senators were dealt a blow to their lineup prior to the game with David Perron not being able to play due to an upper body injury. That led to 24-year-old Cole Reinhardt being inserted into the lineup.

After playing just one game for the Senators in the 2021-22 season, Reinhardt would finally play again for the Senators for two games last month. Reinhardt recorded his first NHL assist in the Senators' 6-4 loss on Oct. 25 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

In his third game of this season and fourth ever in the NHL, Reinhardt made the best of it. With the Senators up 2-1 in the second period, Reinhardt scored his first NHL goal at 13:17 of the period. It was certainly a special moment for the former 181st overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

2. One answers the trust from Green, another one gets more confident

Adam Gaudette recently earned confidence and trust from head coach Travis Green. Yesterday at practice, Green decided to switch up the lines and put Gaudette on the top line next to Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. It offered as the perfect chance for Gaudette to raise his game.

Gaudette had to show why he was put on the top line. In the final minutes of the first period, Gaudette showed why.

With the Senators trailing 1-0, the Senators had their second powerplay unit out with Gaudette on the ice. Eight seconds after the powerplay expired, Gaudette scored a goal to tie the game at one with 2:55 remaining in the first period. Gaudette's goal helped momentum shift toward the direction of the Senators. It was also Gaudette's third goal in the past six games.

Ridly Greig also needed a boost of confidence, and he delivered with two assists. Tonight was the second time in six games that Greig recorded two assists. On the first assist Greig had, he had a beautiful pass on Gaudette's goal in the first period. Greig also had the primary assist on Reinhardt's first NHL goal.

The Senators needed a boost of offense with Gaudette needing to show why he was put on the top line from Green, and Greig needing to find his confidence again. Both of them were able to play big roles in the Senators' win.

1. The backup comes through

After losing the past four games with Linus Ullmark in between the pipes, Green decided to start Anton Forsberg. In his last start, Forsberg had it rough facing a tough Carolina Hurricanes offense and allowed in three goals.

Despite allowing in three goals in his third consecutive start, Forsberg gave the Senators a game and helped them win. After the Flames cut the Senators lead to 3-2, the Flames came right after Forsberg quickly.

Forsberg made two crucial stops to keep the game at 3-2 late in the second and protect Ottawa's lead. While Forsberg did allow a goal with under 40 seconds left, he stood tall and made 24 saves to earn the win. A win with Forsberg in net was needed after the recent struggles of Ullmark.

The Senators will return to action on Wednesday night when they begin a three-game road trip in California as they take on the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center. Puck drop for the game is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.