Senators' Epic Collapse: 3-0 Lead Vanishes in 5-3 Loss to Predators
The Ottawa Senators left the Music City with a painful defeat that will linger in their memories, suffering an epic collapse in a 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena. What began as a promising road game quickly turned into a nightmare as the Senators blew a commanding three-goal lead, allowing five unanswered goals in a stunning reversal of fortune.
A Promising Start Turns Sour
The Senators appeared to be in control early, building a 3-0 advantage with goals from Dylan Cozens, Ridly Greig, and Stephen Halliday. Cozens continued his hot streak, scoring his fourth goal in five games by tipping a shot past Nashville goaltender Juuse Saros with 9:14 remaining in the second period. The Senators seemed poised to secure valuable points in their push toward playoff contention.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the final minutes of the second period. Steven Stamkos capitalized on a power play opportunity, cutting Ottawa's lead to 3-1 with just 1:26 left before intermission. This goal marked the beginning of a complete unraveling for the Senators, who have struggled to maintain leads throughout the season.
The Third Period Meltdown
The Predators came out determined in the third period, quickly closing the gap to 3-2 when Jonathan Marchessault beat Senators goaltender James Reimer at the 8:19 mark. This came moments after Ottawa successfully killed off a double-minor penalty to Fabian Zetterlund for high sticking, demonstrating their resilience was beginning to crack under pressure.
Stamkos struck again on the power play, tying the game 3-3 with 9:53 remaining in regulation. The Predators had completely seized control of the game, putting the Senators on their heels and exposing their recent difficulties in protecting leads. With just 1:13 left on the clock, Stamkos completed his hat-trick, securing the 5-3 victory for Nashville and capping off Ottawa's disastrous collapse.
Reimer's Valiant Effort in Vain
Goaltender James Reimer deserved a better outcome than the meltdown that unfolded in front of him. The 37-year-old netminder, playing in his third consecutive game due to Linus Ullmark's unavailability, made several impressive saves throughout the contest. In his first two appearances with Ottawa, Reimer had posted a 1-0-1 record with a .911 save percentage and a 2.51 goals-against average.
"He's been outstanding. He's made some massive saves tonight," Dylan Cozens told TSN's Gord Miller about Reimer after the second period. "He's just so confident and so poised. He's playing great for us, and we're trying to limit the chances on him." Unfortunately, Reimer couldn't single-handedly prevent the Senators' defensive breakdowns that led to five consecutive Predators goals.
Playoff Hopes Take a Hit
This loss represents a significant setback for the Senators, who entered the game with points in five straight contests and a 4-4-2 record in their last ten outings. With every game becoming increasingly crucial as they attempt to climb back into the playoff picture before the Olympic break, squandering a three-goal lead is particularly damaging.
The Senators now find themselves needing help from other teams while simultaneously closing the gap with points through their own performances. Playing well and losing simply won't cut it anymore if Ottawa hopes to secure a playoff berth for the second consecutive spring. This collapse serves as a stark reminder that in the competitive landscape of the NHL, no lead is safe until the final buzzer sounds.
