OTTAWA, ON – Cam Talbot’s first shutout with the Ottawa Senators may be overshadowed by two devastating injuries.
Talbot earned the victory with an impressive 32-save shutout as the Senators blanked the Anaheim Ducks 3-0 on Monday. But forwards Tim Stutzle and Tyler Motte both left the win early with injuries, forcing Ottawa to play the rest of the game with only 10 forwards.
“We checked real hard,” said Senators head coach D.J. Smith. “The NHL’s not meant for 10 forwards, but give guys credit.
“Guys played out of position, played different positions, played with different linemates and did a real nice job.”
Stutzle went awkwardly into the boards after being hit by Brett Leasonmidway through the first period and favoured his right arm as he raced down the player’s tunnel. Motte then went down hard late in the same period and suffered what the team called an upper-body injury.
Smith had no update on either player following the game.
“Timmy’s a big piece to this team,” said Claude Giroux, who was moved to Ottawa’s first power-play unit in Stutzle’s absence. “He’s one of our best players and I’m not too sure what the status is, but hopefully he’s fine.”
Alex DeBrincat had a pair of power-play goals for Ottawa (12-14-2) and Parker Kelly also scored to support Talbot’s shutout. The Senators goalie said he was partly inspired by a pre-game ceremony honouring former Ottawa defenceman Wade Redden, who became the first player named to the Senators Ring of Honour.
“I haven’t played my best here in front of our fans, but to go out there and do it on a night celebrating Redden in the Ring of Honour it’s a pretty special night for him so feels good to get the win for him too,” said Talbot.
Strangely enough both Talbot and DeBrincat were considered game-time decisions after neither took the morning skate.
“Who needs morning skates, right?” said Talbot with a laugh. “I mean (DeBrincat) didn’t skate either and he came out with two goals so I mean, I think they’re overrated.”
Goaltender Lukas Dostal made his season debut in net for the Ducks (7-19-3). He stopped 35 shots after being recalled from the American Hockey League’s San Diego Gulls.
“Coming from the AHL, you know, at the start, the game’s a little bit different,” said Dostal. “Took me maybe just a couple of minutes to adjust, but as the game went on, I felt pretty good out there, actually.
“Obviously, still upset we lost, but personally, I felt pretty good out there.”
The 22-year-old Dostal made a huge save on Shane Pinto in the second and bailed the Ducks out on a terrible line change late in the same period when the Senators had a 3-on-0 rush.
“(Dostal) played extremely well,” said Anaheim head coach Dallas Eakins. “He made a couple of huge saves. Just an absolutely horrible change in the second period and he made a huge one there, but he was real solid.
” He’s a great kid. He’s a kid that you can cheer for a lot just because of his character, his attitude, how he works.”
Kelly scored his first of the season 5:42 into the game, tipping a Nikita Zaitsev shot past Dostal.
DeBrincat extended his point streak to six games (3G, 4A) with a power-play goal midway through the first.
Redden, who is the first player to be honoured, joins the late Bryan Murray, a former Senators GM and head coach, in the Ring of Honour.
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Former Ottawa Senators Wade Redden with his wife and kids during his induction into the Ottawa Senators Ring of Honour before National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Drake Batherson (19) sets up in front of Anaheim Ducks Goalie Lukas Dostal (1) during first period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Anaheim Ducks Center Sam Carrick (39) tips a shot in front of Ottawa Senators Goalie Cam Talbot (33) during second period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Ottawa Senators Center Rourke Chartier (67) before a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Anaheim Ducks Left Wing Max Jones (49) battles Ottawa Senators Defenceman Travis Hamonic (23) during second period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Ottawa Senators Goalie Cam Talbot (33) makes a save during second period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Anaheim Ducks Goalie Lukas Dostal (1) tracks the puck during third period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Alex DeBrincat (12) celebrates his goal with teammates Winger Claude Giroux (28), Left Wing Brady Tkachuk (7) and Defenceman Thomas Chabot (72) during third period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Anaheim Ducks Goalie Lukas Dostal (1) looks to keep the puck out of the net after a collision with Ottawa Senators Center Rourke Chartier (67) as Center Mason McTavish (37) looks on during third period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 12: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Brady Tkachuk (7) battles Anaheim Ducks Defenceman Dmitry Kulikov (29) in front of Goalie Lukas Dostal (1) during third period National Hockey League action between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators on December 12, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
