Four games into March, spirits are riding high for the Ottawa Senators. After Saturday afternoon's 4-3 overtime win against the New York Rangers, the Senators have earned seven out of a possible eight points to start the month.
Now, another important showdown in the playoff chase has arrived against the Detroit Red Wings. In the first two games against the Red Wings this season, both games have come down to the wire and ended with thrilling finishes.
Senators host Red Wings in pivotal game for playoff chase
The Senators host the Red Wings at Canadian Tire Center with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Saturday's win was the most important game of the season, and the Senators came out on top in dramatic fashion. After trailing 3-1 in the third period, Ridly Greig and Michael Amadio each scored a goal to get the game into overtime.
In his 500th NHL game, Brady Tkachuk's second goal of the game was the overtime winner just 33 seconds into the overtime period. The win gave the Senators 69 points on the season with a 32-25-5 record.
As for the Red Wings, they trail the Senators by three points in the standings with a 30-27-6 record. The Red Wings are cold at the moment with losing five consecutive games in regulation.
Lucas Raymond leads the Red Wings with 43 assists and 65 points. Tkachuk's 4 Nations Face-Off teammate and Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin is second on the team with 55 points. Ex-Senator Alex DeBrincat leads the Red Wings with 29 goals.
One goal was the difference in both games against the Red Wings this season for the Senators. The Senators won 2-1 against the Red Wings on Dec. 5 in Ottawa when Josh Norris scored both goals, including the game winner in the final minute, but Norris was traded by the Senators this past Friday to the Buffalo Sabres. In the second meeting in Detroit on Jan. 7, the Red Wings won 3-2 in overtime.
After yesterday's games played in the NHL, the Senators trail the Columbus Blue Jackets by one point for the first Wild Card spot. With currently sitting in the second Wild Card spot, tonight's game for the Senators is another pivotal game.