Senators Beat Rangers in OT
Ottawa defeated New York 4-3 in overtime with Brady Tkachuk scoring twice, including the game-winner in extra time. The Rangers led three separate times but couldn't hold off the persistent Senators, who rallied in the third period. This keeps Ottawa firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt while the Rangers lose ground in the tight race.
The victory carries historical weight for Ottawa, whose last playoff series win came against these same New York Rangers back in the 2017 Conference Semi-Finals. For captain Brady Tkachuk, this isn't his first overtime winner against the Rangers. On December 2, 2022, he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick in a 3-2 overtime victory against New York, scoring his 100th and 101st career goals in that game. The two goals bring Tkachuk's season total to 15, adding to his 38 points through 38 games played in the 2025-26 campaign. The winger is known for his physical play, and in 2023-24 set a record for most goals in a season (37) by a player with at least 290 hits. This win is crucial for an Ottawa franchise looking to build on recent momentum. The team made its first playoff appearance in seven years in 2025, though they fell in the First Round. The modern Senators have never won a Stanley Cup, having reached the Final only once in 2007. For the Rangers, the overtime loss compounds a difficult season. The team currently sits 8th in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 24-29-8, making every point critical in the push for a playoff spot.
