OTTAWA, ON – Tim Stutzle scored 70 seconds into overtime and the Ottawa Senators snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night.
Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, Erik Brannstrom and Jakob Chychrun also scored for Ottawa, which won its first game during Jacques Martin’s second stint as coach. Anton Forsberg made 30 saves.
Martin took over behind the bench on an interim basis when the Senators fired D.J. Smith on Monday. He also coached the team for nine seasons from 1995-96 through 2003-04.
Lars Eller, Rickard Rakell, Drew O’Connor and Kris Letang scored for the Penguins while Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 21 shots.
Trailing 4-2 to start the third, the Penguins made it a one-goal game just 1:51 into the period when O’Connor deflected Marcus Petersson’s point shot. Letang tied the game with 2:26 remaining.
Leading 2-1, Ottawa extended its lead early in the second when Claude Giroux made a great pass through traffic to a streaking Tkachuk, who tipped home his 15th of the season.
Pittsburgh made it a one-goal game when Rakell tipped home Sidney Crosby’s pass, but Ottawa padded its lead on Brannstrom’s second of the season at 7:30. The goal required a lengthy review, but stood.
The Senators got the start they were looking for jumping out to a 2-1 lead in the first period.
Chychrun opened the scoring, sliding on one knee to score on the rebound of Giroux’s shot at 11:07. The Penguins tied the game with a power-play goal at 14:31 when Eller beat Forsberg short side. Ottawa regained the lead 30 seconds later when Norris batted a shot past Nedeljkovic.
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic (39) looks to stop a wrap around attempt by Ottawa Senators Left Wing Angus Crookshank (59) with the help of Defenceman Marcus Pettersson (28) during first period National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Ottawa Senators interim head coach Jacques Martin and assistant coach Daniel Alfredsson during first period National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic (39) looks to make a save with Ottawa Senators Left Wing Jiri Smejkal (13) and Defenceman Ryan Graves (27) making traffic in front during first period National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Angus Crookshank (59) skates in the offensive zone during first period National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) plays the puck up during second period National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Ottawa Senators Mascot Spartacat dressed for Christmas during second period National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Pittsburgh Penguins Center Sidney Crosby (87) talks to Linesmen Michel Cormier (76) during second period National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Claude Giroux (28) and Pittsburgh Penguins Right Wing Drew O’Connor (10) on the outside of a scrum during second period National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Pittsburgh Penguins Defenceman Erik Karlsson (65)after a whistle during third period National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 23: Ottawa Senators Goalie Anton Forsberg (31) is congratulated on the win by Left Wing Angus Crookshank (59) and Center Mark Kastelic (12) after National Hockey League action between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators on December 23, 2023, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
