The Ottawa Senators are heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs with flair, fire, and no shortage of drama. On Sunday at the Canadian Tire Centre, they treated fans to a nail-biting overtime comeback win, edging out the Philadelphia Flyers 4–3 in an emotional, momentum-building result.
Tim Stutzle was the star of the show, netting two goals — including the game-winner in overtime — and adding an assist in a performance that reminded everyone just how dangerous this young forward can be. His strike at 1:40 of overtime came on a 4-on-3 power play, thanks to a pinpoint cross-slot feed from Drake Batherson, which Stutzle buried from the right circle past Flyers goalie Ivan Fedotov.
It was a victory that didn’t just add two points to the tally — it reinforced the Senators’ growing identity as a team that refuses to quit.
🔁 From Behind, To Beyond
The Senators’ comeback began in earnest after falling behind three times during the game. The Flyers opened the scoring in the second period through Nicolas Deslauriers, only for Stutzle to respond a mere 53 seconds later with a burst of speed, slick puck control, and a clinical finish.
Philadelphia kept pushing, with Noah Cates and Garnet Hathaway adding to their lead, but Ottawa had answers at every turn. Fabian Zetterlund and Thomas Chabot both found the net in the third — Chabot’s equaliser a beautiful wrist shot over Fedotov’s shoulder — to force overtime.
Chabot, who had two assists to go along with his goal, extended his point streak to five games. He also delivered a stretch pass to set up Stutzle’s first goal, showcasing his increasingly pivotal role on both ends of the ice.
🔁 Flyers Play with Pride
Despite the loss, Philadelphia played one of their most spirited games under interim coach Brad Shaw. The Flyers outshot Ottawa and held the lead on three occasions. Garnet Hathaway, who recorded a goal and an assist, summed up the team’s mood well: “You play with pride in these games… you play for the guy next to you. You’re going to see a competitive group until the end.”
Goaltender Ivan Fedotov made 21 saves in a solid performance but couldn’t quite hold back the Senators’ late surge. The Flyers now fall to 5-1-1 under Shaw but continue to show glimpses of a squad that, with a few tweaks, could become a force once again.
🔁 Senators Build Momentum Into the Postseason
With the victory, Ottawa (44-30-6) locks in the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference and will face either the Toronto Maple Leafs or the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opening playoff round. This win was less about standings and more about tone-setting, and coach Travis Green knows it.
“If you play bad right before playoffs, it’s hard to go in and play your best right away,” said Stutzle, reflecting on the importance of maintaining form. “We want to keep building and play the best hockey we can.”
Sunday also marked a milestone return for forward Nick Cousins, who played his first game after a 30-game absence with a knee injury.
🎯 Betting Recap: Tips That Hit and Came Close
If you followed America Bet’s matchday preview, you were well positioned to enjoy both the game and the betting board.
Among the tips that hit or came close:
✅ Over 5.5 total goals – A 4–3 final score made this a comfortable win.
✅ Ottawa Senators to win – Predicted outright win came true, albeit in overtime.
✅ Tim Stutzle anytime goalscorer – Stutzle didn’t just score once — he bagged two.
⚠️ Senators -1.5 puck line – Just missed due to OT win, not regulation.
✅ Both teams to score in the third period – Cashes in again as the game opened up.
✅ Chabot to register over 0.5 points – A goal and two assists made this a slam dunk.
It was a profitable fixture for anyone backing form players and Ottawa’s home dominance — something highlighted in the preview ahead of puck drop.
🏁 Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just a win for the standings. It was a win for belief, rhythm, and narrative. The Ottawa Senators proved that even when not at their sharpest, they have the tools and the tenacity to get the job done. With the playoffs just around the corner, this kind of fightback could be a prelude to something much bigger.
Meanwhile, the Flyers exit with heads held high. Their rebuild under Shaw is showing green shoots, and with young stars emerging and systems improving, they might not be outsiders for much longer.
For full matchday predictions and betting breakdowns from across the NHL, check out the comprehensive coverage at America Bet.
