OTTAWA, ON – OTTAWA — If not for netminder Cam Talbot, Alex DeBrincat would never have had the chance to play hero.
DeBrincat scored the only goal of the shootout Tuesday night as the Ottawa Senators earned a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins, but a 49-save performance by Talbot, including 26 in the third period, was the main reason it got that far.
“It was an exciting game. Probably gave them a few too many looks but Talbs kept us in the game for the most part and it’s nice to get the win,” said DeBrincat, who also scored in regulation along with Tim Stutzle.
“It’s always fun to go in the shootout. Didn’t really know what I was going to do, I just winged it and it worked out. It’s nice to see the puck go in the net.”
The win snapped a three-game slide for the Senators (15-16-3) and was their first shootout of the season.
Jake DeBrusk and Paval Zacha scored in regulation for the Bruins with Zacha’s goal coming at 16:27 of the third period to tie the game 2-2. Jeremy Swayman made 31 saves for the Bruins (27-4-3).
“Hats off to Talbot. That was a fun goalie battle,” Swayman said.
The Senators had a 2-1 lead after two periods and a 21-20 shot advantage. The Bruins outshot the Senators 27-5 in the third.
“Our goal was to get better every period. I thought our first was OK, our second wasn’t as good. I give credit to Ottawa, but I thought our third, we really got to our game,” Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said.
“Talbot was incredible.”
The teams played through a scoreless first period despite a pair of breakaways by Senators forwards Brady Tkachuk and Stutzle.
In the second period, Patrice Bergeron appeared to give the Bruins a 1-0 lead, but a video review determined that the play was offside, and the game remained tied.
Stutzle did score a goal that counted when he beat Swayman from the right faceoff dot at 8:11 on the power play.
“I think we worked really hard, but without (Talbot) I don’t think it would have been possible. He kept us in the game the whole time. They had a lot of chances, but he was there when he had to be,” Stutzle said.
“I think everyone was pretty gassed at the end. We had four days off and couldn’t really skate. It was a great effort by the guys and I think we put everything on the line and had a lot of blocked shots, too.”
The Bruins got that goal back just over two minutes later as DeBrusk’s first shot was wide but hit the end boards and bounced back right onto his stick as he was about to circle the net. He had an empty net to deposit the puck as Talbot was moving the other way expecting the puck to come out the other side.
DeBrincat restored the lead for the Senators as he caught up to the puck at the top of the crease and delivered a chip shot over the shoulder of Swayman at 13:37 for a 2-1 lead.
Senators forward Drake Batherson assisted on both second-period goals and increased his point streak to 11 games. It’s the highest such streak since Jason Spezza had an 11-game streak in 2011-12.
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Boston Bruins Right Wing David Pastrnak (88) battles Ottawa Senators Defenceman Jake Sanderson (85) in front of Goalie Cam Talbot (33) during first period National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Thomas Chabot (72) skates with the puck during first period National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Ottawa Senators Goalie Cam Talbot (33) prepares to make a save during first period National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Austin Watson (16) battles Boston Bruins Defenceman Hampus Lindholm (27) in front of Goalie Jeremy Swayman (1) during second period National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Ottawa Senators Center Tim Stutzle (18) skates in the offensive zone with Left Wing Brady Tkachuk (7) and Boston Bruins Goalie Jeremy Swayman (1) in the background during second period National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Claude Giroux (28) skates with the puck while battling Boston Bruins Defenceman Charlie McAvoy (73) during second period National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Boston Bruins Left Wing Brad Marchand (63) battles Ottawa Senators Defenceman Travis Hamonic (23) while Boston Bruins Right Wing Jake DeBrusk (74) battles Ottawa Senators Center Tim Stutzle (18) during third period National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Boston Bruins Center Charlie Coyle (13) skates by Ottawa Senators Goalie Cam Talbot (33) during third period National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Boston Bruins Goalie Jeremy Swayman (1) makes a save and receives a snow shower from teammate Center Patrice Bergeron (37) during overtime National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 27: Boston Bruins Goalie Jeremy Swayman (1) makes a save on Ottawa Senators Left Wing Alex DeBrincat (12) during overtime National Hockey League action between the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators on December 27, 2022, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
