Brady Tkachuk's 2nd career NHL hat trick helped the Ottawa Senators defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 Tuesday night at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Columbus' Dmitri Voronkov (13) had the first goal of the game at 7:11 in the 1st period, while Ottawa's first goal was by Tkachuk, his 23rd of the season at the 9:48 mark on a Senators power play. He'd score again at 10:36 to give Ottawa a 2-1 lead, and then Claude Giroux's shorthanded tally made it 3-1 Ottawa at the 14:46 mark for the final goal of the first 20 minutes.
Ottawa continued the goal scoring in the 2nd period, courtesy of Ridly Greig (9) at 5:37 to make it 4-1 Sens, before Columbus halved the lead via first-time All-Star Boone Jenner (16) at 10:41. At 13:54, Jack Roslovic (3) pulled the Jackets within one, but it'd be the last effort they could manage, especially after Tkachuk completed his hat trick at 16:48, his 25th of the season on another Ottawa power play. The Sens held that 5-3 lead heading to the 3rd, where the final goal of the game came with 8 seconds left in regulation on an empty Columbus net from Erik Brannstrom (3).
Ottawa improves to 22-25-12, but is still last in the Atlantic Division, with a 7-1-2 record in their last 10 games and their 4th win in a row with last night's result. They play next at home against Anaheim tomorrow evening at 7 pm. Columbus drops to 16-26-10, last in the Metro Division, and a 3-6-1 last 10 record. So, yes, this was a grudge match. The Jackets play next in San Jose on the 17th at 10:30 pm.
Team Stats:
Shots: CBJ 40, OTT 30
Hits: CBJ 32, OTT 24
Faceoff Wins: CBJ 34, OTT 27
PIM: CBJ 14, OTT 12
Comments