Ottawa Senators at Winnipeg Jets

Brady Tkachuk scores late to lead Senators to fifth straight win, beating Jets 3-2

With Brenden Dillon in the penalty box for high-sticking, Tkachuk took a pass from Tim Stutzle and fired the puck, which deflected into the net past Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

“Great keep by (Jake Sanderson) and a great pass by Timmy,” Tkachuk said. “I was just trying to stay open and I think Drake (Batherson) was tying up the net-front defense. So, everybody contributed. (Jakob Chychrun) also had a part keeping it in, too. It’s great that everybody had a part in a big moment in a game like that.”

Ridly Greig and Boris Katchouk also scored for the Senators. Joonas Korpisalo made 28 saves for Ottawa.

“We are having fun, for sure,” Korpisalo said. “I feel good. As a whole team, we are on top of the league right now. And obviously, it helps everybody, individually.”

The Senators extended their winning streak to five games.

“I think it’s just the little things that everyone’s been doing, and you see the results that we’ve had,” Tkachuk said. “We’ve got to keep building, keep finishing strong and keep building on our momentum. … It’s been fun. We’ve got to keep building, keep working and hopefully, this is one of many down the stretch and in the future.”

Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers replied for Winnipeg. Hellebuyck stopped 24 shots for Winnipeg in front of their fourth straight sellout crowd of 15,225 fans. It was Winnipeg’s sixth consecutive loss.

“That’s how fine this game is,” said Scheifele, who tied the game 2-2 on the power play midway through the third period. “Just little things that matter, especially at this time of the season. They put the pressure on all game long. (Hellebuyck) made some good saves. I wish we pushed a few more past them.”

It was the third game of a five-game homestand for Winnipeg.

“We certainly need more from certain players, we do. Every team does,” said frustrated Jets coach Rick Bowness. “When you’re going through a (slide) like this, you just need more from everybody and we’re going to get that.

“We’re going to have to (have) a little bit more desperation from the start of the game and on. Again, we’re just finding ways (to lose). You take a late penalty, those things hurt you. We’re finding ways to lose games. We’ll get going again. We’ll find ways to win games.”

Greig took advantage of some great forechecking by Tkachuk, grabbed a loose puck and put it in the net behind a fallen Hellebuyck to give Ottawa a 2-1 lead.

The Senators tied the game at 1-all when Katchouk converted a 4-on-1 into the open side of the net, thanks to a perfect pass from Erik Brannstrom.

The Jets opened the scoring just 1:58 into the second period as Ehlers pounced on a Sean Monahan rebound on Korpisalo’s doorstep.

Hellebuyck played in his 500th NHL game. Jets fans gave him a standing ovation when it was announced during the game.

UP NEXT

Senators: At Minnesota on Tuesday night to finish a two-game trip.

Jets: Host Los Angeles on Monday night in the fourth of a five-game homestand.

Series tied 1-1