The Ottawa Senators kicked off 2026 in dramatic fashion, erasing a two-goal deficit to secure a crucial 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday night. The win in front of a sellout crowd of 18,433 at the Canadian Tire Centre snapped a three-game losing skid for the Sens.
A Spirited Comeback Sparks the New Year
Facing a 2-0 hole after the first period, the Senators' fortunes changed following a fiery intermission address from head coach Travis Green. "I probably can’t repeat a lot of the things I said," Green admitted post-game. He challenged his team's lack of engagement, noting they were "on the outside looking in" and not playing with their characteristic heaviness.
The message resonated. The Senators emerged with renewed energy in the second period, applying consistent pressure on Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson. Their persistence paid off when Ridly Greig battled in front of the net to tie the game 2-2 with just 29 seconds remaining in the period, completing the initial comeback.
Third-Period Drama Seals the Deal
Ottawa carried the momentum into the final frame. David Perron gave the Senators their first lead at 2:47 of the third, firing a shot bar-down past Thompson after a strong play by Nick Cousins behind the net. However, Washington's Aliaksei Protas silenced the crowd by tying the game 3-3 with only 3:07 left on the clock.
The Senators responded immediately. With the game hanging in the balance, Fabian Zetterlund became the hero, scoring the game-winning goal with just 2 minutes and 22 seconds remaining. Goaltender Leevi Merilainen, who made 26 saves, held firm in the dying moments to preserve the 4-3 victory. Nick Jensen also scored for Ottawa in the winning effort.
What This Win Means for Ottawa
This character-building win provided a vital two points for a Senators team that began New Year's Day in a precarious playoff position. The victory was a testament to the team's resilience, overcoming not only the early deficit but also the late tying goal from the Capitals.
Coach Green praised his team's response, stating, "I give them a lot of credit. They showed a lot to come out and play with a lot of energy. You could tell guys wanted the puck and wanted to be in the battle the last two periods." The Senators will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push up the Eastern Conference standings.
