Batherson ties it late, Senators rally for shootout win against Predators
Forward scores with 1:23 left in third, Stutzle has two points for Ottawa
By Zoe Pierce
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
OTTAWA -- Drake Batherson scored the tying goal with 1:23 remaining in the third period, and the Ottawa Senators rallied for a 3-2 shootout victory against the Nashville Predators at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday.
Batherson tied it 2-2 by tipping a shot from Shane Pinto past Matt Murray.
“I felt bad because I thought it was going in for (Pinto),” Batherson said. “But no, I think we were all pumped just to tie the game up.”
Tim Stutzle and Pinto scored in the shootout for Ottawa.
“I think this has been our best start since I can remember,” Batherson said. “So it's nice being on the other side of it, and you know there's so many games this month. We've just got to keep playing the way we're playing, and the more consistent we are, the better off we'll be.”
Stutzle had a goal and an assist for the Senators (4-1-0), who have won two straight. Linus Ullmark made 16 saves.
“I think it’s a great team effort,” Stutzle said. “I mean, obviously, in OT, we had a bunch of chances to win the game, especially when you get a power play. But it's a great team effort. I think everybody stuck with it.”
Jonathan Marchessault and Ross Colton scored for the Predators (2-2-1), who had their three-game point streak (2-0-1) end.
“I feel it's been a little common in the past few games. We kind of lay off the gas a little bit and let teams back in the game,” Marchessault said. “One point is good, but I mean, at the end of the year, they're pretty hard to get those points. So, it would be nice to be able to close on games.”
Murray, playing his first NHL game since Jan. 8, 2024, made 18 saves in his Nashville debut.
“He's pretty much the reason why we're still in that game. … In overtime, like he was unbelievable. He gave us a chance to win.” Marchessault said.
It was the fifth NHL game for Murray. The 28-year-old, who signed with the Predators on July 1, 2024, spent the past two seasons with Milwaukee of the American Hockey League.
“This is why you love sports,” Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said. “This is why I’ve been in the game as long as I have. There are moments like that where guy’s waited his turn, and we haven't got him in. He steps in, he plays great. We just feel a little bit bad that we didn't pull the win out for him because he played so good.”
Colton gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 8:50 of the first period. After a scramble in front of the net, Vitali Pinchuk found the puck and slid it to Colton, who went top shelf past Ullmark.
The assist gave Pinchuk his first career point in his NHL debut.
Marchessault extended it to 2-0 at 13:10 on the power play, beating Ullmark from close range.
“We need to be better at 5-on-5 creating scoring chances,” Marchessault said. “I think it’s, we're like, not really connected.”
Stutzle’s power-play goal cut it to 2-1 at 9:29 of the second period. Dylan Cozens found Stutzle down low, and he one-timed it into an open net for his fourth goal in five games.
“We try and don't give the other team anything, and sometimes they kind of play the same way,” Stutzle said. “And I felt like that was today.”
Ottawa went without a shot on goal from 13:45 of the second to 16:06 of the third.
“Those nights can be frustrating when you have the puck a lot, but you’re not generating a lot,” Senators coach Travis Green said. “Like I said, give them credit. They kept us on the outside a lot. They were doing a good job blocking shots, getting sticks around their net. We also played a (heck) of a game defensively.
“We don't have to really change a lot. It's just that type of game. We got to take what's given, and we got to earn what we want.”
NOTES: Ullmark became the fourth goaltender in Senators history to win his first four or more games of a season. He joined Ray Emery (six wins to start 2005-06), Dominik Hasek (five in 2005-06) and Martin Gerber (four in 2007-08). … Stutzle scored his 153rd career goal and passed Radek Bonk for eighth place on the Senators’ all-time list. … Steven Stamkos (three goals, four assists) and Roman Josi (one goal, five assists) each had an assist for the Predators to extend his season-opening point streak to five games.
