Drake Batherson scored the game-winning goal with less than two minutes left in regulation, lifting the Ottawa Senators to a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Thursday.
Batherson redirected a wrist shot from Jake Sanderson past Ducks goaltender Petr Mrazek at 18:02 of the third period, giving Ottawa its second win in three games. “Nick Cousins and Shane Pinto also scored, and Linus Ullmark made 24 saves for the Senators (10-6-4), who have won two of three and have points in eight of their past nine (5-1-3).”
The Ducks, who had been riding a six-game home winning streak—including a recent win against the Boston Bruins—received goals from Beckett Sennecke and Mason McTavish. Mrazek stopped 22 shots for Anaheim, whose record moved to 13-7-1.
Cousins opened scoring late in the first period on a rush play, converting a one-timer after receiving a backhanded pass from Nick Jensen. The Ducks responded with two quick goals in the second period. Sennecke tied it up after taking a centering feed from Cutter Gauthier that slipped through an Ottawa defender’s legs. Shortly afterward, McTavish put Anaheim ahead by finishing off a 2-on-1 break with Chris Kreider.
Ottawa tied the game again before intermission when Pinto scored on the power play from close range. Rookie Stephen Halliday recorded his first NHL point by assisting on Pinto’s goal.
Both teams are contending for playoff positions as they move further into their respective seasons.
