Galliocci: Ottawa Senators won’t go down without a fight after losing 4-1 to Knights

walterpalladNovember 24, 2022

Ottawa Senators’ Cam Talbot #33 makes a save against Vegas Golden Knights’ Michael Amadio #22 in the third period of a game at T-Mobile Arena on November 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada . Photo by Ethan Miller /Getty Images

Knight 4, Senator 1

LAS VEGAS — Ottawa Senators left the Las Vegas Strip empty-handed Wednesday night.

Like many nights this season, there was effort, but the result was utterly meaningless.

The odds were already piling up for the Senators going into this and wouldn’t go down without a fight, but the result was a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

It was the club’s third straight defeat, with the Senators now having a record of 3-10-1 in their last 14 games. To everyone’s frustration, he won just six of his first 19 games.

Rookie defenseman Jake Sanderson won’t forget this anytime soon. He scored his first NHL goal and was the only one to beat Vegas goalkeeper Logan Thompson.

“It’s a shame,” said coach DJ Smith. “I thought we were set apart from them. Their goalkeeper was really good. We worked hard and did everything we could but we couldn’t score. The goalie was really good.

“The only thing I can ask the players to do it right is that they did it. We are trying. Make no mistake, we are trying. For some reason.” And the other team’s goalkeepers are very good and we just couldn’t find a way to score.”

Smith added:

The Senators entered this game with one win in 11 lifetime meetings with the Knights. The only win was his 5-4 decision on March 2, 2018.

Brady Tkachuk #7 of the Ottawa Senators skates the puck against Alec Martinez #23 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of the game at T-Mobile Arena on November 23, 2022 in Las Vegas. Photo by Ethan Miller /Getty Images

The trip started with a 5-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday. Senators hoped they could find a way to bounce back with better efforts.

It certainly was. No, the Senator isn’t sitting where everyone expected with his six wins on Thanksgiving in the United States, but they certainly aren’t throwing in the towel.

Captain Brady Tkachuk said, “We played a good stretch and a good game, but now we’re not delivering. “It’s great. There’s a reason they’re in the top five in the league. Me. We fought them all night and felt like we dictated part of the game.

“It’s a points-based, win-based league and we’re not getting results at the moment. We knew it would be a challenge.”

Talbot got off to a second straight start.

Pulled out in San Jose on Monday after allowing three goals and seven shots, he hoped for a chance to regain the net. He was strong but gave up a poor goal early in the third period that was a backbreaker to William Carlson.

It was a good shot, but Talbot had to make the save. Ottawa’s goaltending has been largely absent and inconsistent this month.

The Senators’ solid play in front of him helped kick off this game. The Senators beat the Knights in his 40 minutes, which he did 25-23, but lost by one point.

Ottawa defended much better than they had in their last two games.

William Carrier skated past Thomson and Holden and scored by beating Talbot with 16:23 in the second. This gave the Knights a 2–1 lead on him and advanced to third, but Thomson was solid until then.

The Knights had a goal disallowed with 8:08 remaining with seconds that would have given them the lead. Brett Howdon was ruled to have hit with his hand and Travis Hamonic was called out for interference.

Ottawa Senators' Jake Sanderson holds the puck for his first NHL goal on November 23, 2022. — Ottawa Senators’ Jake Sanderson holds the puck for his first NHL goal on November 23, 2022. Photo by Bruce Garrioc /post media

Sanderson threw a floater on a power play past Thompson with 18 seconds left in the first to tie it 1-1.

Tkachuk quickly collected souvenirs. Sanderson became the first Montana-born player to score in his NHL. The goal came when his father, Jeff, was in the stands.

Sanderson didn’t see it go in, but he knew it did when Tokachuk raised his arm.

“I’m just happy to have scored and done well,” Sanderson said. I am very lucky to meet him in person.”

Tim Stutzl assisted on a goal and became the franchise leader in points before turning 21 with 106.

The scorer in this match was former Senator winger Mark Stone. It happened on a power play with 2:58 left in the second period.

Already shorthanded and unable to get out of their zone, the situation was made worse by the fact that Ottawa winger Tyler Mott was stuck there without a stick.