Ottawa found its push late and turned a two-goal hole into a 3-2 shootout win over the Nashville Predators at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday. Drake Batherson supplied the tying tip with 1:23 left in regulation, then Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto converted in the shootout to finish the Senators’ comeback.
Batherson brings Ottawa level late
The Senators had trailed since the first period and endured a lengthy stretch without testing Nashville goaltender Matt Murray, but they got the game even in the final minutes. Pinto’s shot made its way through to the crease, where Batherson redirected it past Murray for the 2-2 goal.
- Batherson tied the game with 1:23 remaining in the third period.
- Stutzle and Pinto scored in the shootout for Ottawa.
- Stutzle also posted a goal and an assist, giving him four goals through five games.
- Linus Ullmark made 16 saves as the Senators improved to 4-1-0 and won their second straight game.
Stutzle had pulled Ottawa within one on the power play at 9:29 of the second. Dylan Cozens fed him near the net, and Stutzle buried a one-timer into an open side for the Senators’ first goal.
Ottawa’s offense went quiet for a major portion of the middle and late stages, recording no shots on goal from 13:45 of the second period until 16:06 of the third. The late pressure, however, was enough to force overtime and eventually the shootout.
Nashville builds an early two-goal edge
The Predators controlled the first period and jumped ahead 2-0 behind goals from Ross Colton and Jonathan Marchessault.
- Colton opened the scoring at 8:50 of the first period after a scramble around the Ottawa net.
- Vitali Pinchuk located the loose puck and slid it to Colton, who beat Ullmark high.
- The assist was Pinchuk’s first NHL point in his League debut.
- Marchessault made it 2-0 at 13:10, finishing from close range on the power play.
Steven Stamkos assisted on Marchessault’s goal and extended his season-opening point streak to five games. Roman Josi also picked up an assist, pushing his own opening run to five contests. Stamkos has three goals and four assists during the streak, while Josi has one goal and five assists.
Murray returns in Nashville debut
Murray made 18 saves in his first NHL appearance since Jan. 8, 2024, and received the start in his Nashville debut. He held the Senators off for most of the night, but Batherson’s late deflection erased the advantage before Ottawa prevailed in the skills portion.
Nashville fell to 2-2-1, ending a three-game point streak that had included two wins and an overtime or shootout loss. The Predators leave Ottawa with a point, while the Senators continue their strong start behind a 4-1-0 record.
