OTTAWA, ON — Brady Tkachuk and Vladimir Tarasenko each scored twice to lead the Ottawa Senators to an impressive 6-2 win over the league-leading New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
Anton Forsberg made 33 saves for the Sens, while Claude Giroux and Drake Batherson also scored for the Senators (10-10-0).
Artemi Panarin and K’Andre Miller scored for the Rangers (18-5-1), while Igor Shesterkin stopped 30 shots.
Trailing 5-2 to start the third period, the Rangers had a great chance to get back in the game with a two-man advantage for 85 seconds but failed to capitalize.
The Rangers came into the game with points in 17 of their last 19. They had chances throughout the night, but Forsberg was solid when called upon.
Trailing 2-0 after the first, New York looked to get back in the game and while they had a better second period in the end the Senators led 5-2 after 40 minutes.
Panarin had a power-play goal just 39 seconds into the second to make it 2-1, but Tarasenko regained the two-goal lead with his first in 13 games. Miller got the Rangers right back in it scoring 22 seconds later.
Ottawa made it 4-2 when Batherson buried a Tarasenko rebound. Blake Wheeler looked like he had a sure goal, but Jakob Chychrun batted it out of the air to help Forsberg out.
Tkachuk scored his second late in the period taking a rebound off the back boards and beat Shesterkin short side.
Tkachuk opened the scoring tipping an Artem Zub shot, and with just under two minutes remaining Giroux beat Shesterkin with a wraparound goal.
Ridly Greig returned to the Senators lineup after missing 10 games with a high ankle sprain.
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates his goal with Defenceman Artem Zub (2), Center Josh Norris (9), Right Wing Claude Giroux (28) and Defenceman Erik Brannstrom (26) during first period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: New York Rangers Defenceman Jacob Trouba (8) in a battle with Ottawa Senators Center Josh Norris (9) in front of Goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) during first period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) makes a save with Ottawa Senators Defenceman Erik Brannstrom (26) battling New York Rangers Center Vincent Trocheck (16) in front during second period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: Ottawa Senators Center Rourke Chartier (49) and New York Rangers Center Vincent Trocheck (16) battle on a face-off during second period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: Referee Trevor Hanson (14) talks to Ottawa Senators Defenceman Travis Hamonic (23) during second period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: New York Rangers Goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) plays the puck during third period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: New York Rangers Goalie Igor Shesterkin (31) after a whistle during third period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: New York Rangers Defenceman Jacob Trouba (8) skates with the puck during third period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: New York Rangers Defenceman K’Andre Miller (79) skates with the puck during third period National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 05: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) during three stars after National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
