by The Ottawa Senators’ modest two-game winning streak is over. The Los Angeles Kings broke a 2-2 tie in the third with three unanswered goals to defeat the Senators 5-2 on Saturday night.
Anze Kopitar’s backhand shot was the game-winner early in the third period, just after the Senators had given a masterclass in what not to do in the neutral zone while the opponent is rushing the ice cream.
This is a 2-2 hockey game in the third period.
– The F1 is almost motionless in the middle of the ice
– F2 is caught off guard and turns in the opposite direction
– And F3 makes a line change… during the opposing rush https://t.co/J2AX0cZ1Ut–Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia) December 1, 2024
The third-period collapse ended shortly after Ridly Greig jumped onto the ice when none of his teammates were near the Ottawa bench or even hinting at coming off the ice.
It was the Senators’ second too-many call of the game, and after some terrible PK work with stick positioning, LA put the game out of reach on Adrian Kempe’s one-timer with 3:46 left. to play.
Fourth goal. PK stick positions. One guy’s stick is in the wrong way. The other has the stick in the air. Neither takes the route that implements one-time insurance pic.twitter.com/UhoyaIJNHS
–Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia) December 1, 2024
The Kings added an empty-net goal, avenging their wild 8-7 overtime loss to the Senators in Ottawa last month.
Adam Gaudette scored again for sole possession of the club’s lead at 12. Tim Stutzle scored his 10th. Los Angeles’ David Rittich outshot Ottawa’s Anton Forsberg for the win as the Senators were outshot 27-22. Forsberg’s departure was a surprising decision after Linus Ullmark played so well in San Jose, stealing two points on Wednesday.
“The unfortunate reality is that you just have to be so angry after losing that things will change,” Tkachuk told TSN 1200 after the game.
The Sens will be back tomorrow evening in Anaheim. Puck drop will take place at 8 p.m. EST.
