Senators stun Lightning with 5-4 victory on October 19, 2024
- Drake Batherson led the Senators with two goals and an assist in their victory.
- Tampa Bay struggled with their power play, going 0 for 3 after a strong start to the season.
- This loss ended the Lightning's unbeaten streak and highlighted areas needing improvement moving forward.
In a thrilling NHL matchup on Saturday, October 19, 2024, the Ottawa Senators triumphed over the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 5-4 score. This game was significant as it marked Tampa Bay's first loss of the season, snapping their unbeaten streak. Drake Batherson stood out for the Senators, netting two goals and one assist, contributing immensely to his team's offense. The Senators also saw contributions from Josh Norris, Brady Tkachuk, and Noah Gregor, with Gregor scoring his first goal of the season while on a short-handed play. The game was tightly contested, with the Lightning putting pressure on Ottawa throughout. Nikita Kucherov continued his impressive performance early in the season by scoring his NHL-best seventh goal. However, he could not help his team secure the win. The Lightning struggled on the power play as they failed to score on three opportunities after having success in previous games. A critical turning point occurred when the Senators successfully killed a 48-second, two-man advantage early in the final period, maintaining their lead. Ottawa's Anton Forsberg was crucial in goal, making 25 saves and notably stopping a high-pressure shot from Kucherov in the closing seconds, ensuring the Senators held on to their lead. The outcome of this game not only showcases the Senators' potential as competitors this season but also emphasizes areas for improvement for the Lightning moving forward in their upcoming matches. Next, the Lightning are set to face the Maple Leafs on Monday, while the Senators will visit Utah on Tuesday, each team looking to build momentum from this game.