The Ottawa Senators’ modest two-game winning streak is over. The Los Angeles Kings snapped a 2-2 tie in the third with three unanswered goals to defeat the Senators 5-2 on Saturday night.
Anze Kopitar’s backhanded bunt shot was the winner early in the third period, right after the Sens had put on a masterclass on what not to do in the neutral zone while the opponent is rushing up the ice at you.
This is a 2-2 hockey game in the third period.
– F1 is standing almost still in the middle of the ice
– F2 is flat footed and turning in the opposite direction
– And F3 is making a line change… during the opponent’s rush https://t.co/J2AX0cZ1Ut— Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia) December 1, 2024
The third period meltdown was completed shortly after Ridly Greig jumped onto the ice when none of his teammates was near the Ottawa bench or even hinting at coming off the ice.
That was the Sens’ second too many men call of the game, and after some dreadful PK work with stick positioning, L.A. put the game out of reach on Adrian Kempe’s one-timer with 3:46 to play.
Fourth goal. PK stick positions. One guy’s stick is in the wrong lane. The other has their stick in the air. Neither takes the lane that sets up the insurance one-timer pic.twitter.com/UhoyaIJNHS
— Steve Warne (@SteveWarneMedia) December 1, 2024
The Kings added an empty net goal, avenging their crazy 8-7 overtime loss to the Senators in Ottawa last month.
Adam Gaudette scored again for sole possession of the club scoring lead at 12. Tim Stutzle scored his 10th. LA’s David Rittich outperformed Ottawa’s Anton Forsberg for the win as the Sens were outshot 27-22. Forsberg’s start was a surprising decision after Linus Ullmark had played so well in San Jose, stealing two points on Wednesday.
“The unfortunate reality is that we just have to get that angry with losing that things will change,” Tkachuk told TSN 1200 after the game.
The Sens are right back at it tomorrow night in Anaheim. Face off is 8 pm EST.
