Hischier the Hero as Ottawa Falls in OT
The Ottawa Senators came agonizingly close to picking up a crucial two points Sunday night, but New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier had other plans, scoring in overtime to give the Devils a 4-3 win over Ottawa.
The loss stings for a Senators squad that has been battling hard for every point down the stretch. Clawing back to tie the game and force extra time showed real resilience from Ottawa's group — but Hischier, one of the NHL's most reliable two-way forwards, reminded everyone why New Jersey built their franchise around him.
A Tough Night at Both Ends
The Senators made things interesting, keeping the game level through regulation and pushing the Devils to overtime. But giving up the deciding goal to a player of Hischier's calibre in sudden-death is a difficult pill to swallow, particularly with every game carrying playoff implications for both sides.
For Ottawa, the overtime loss still earns the team a single point — a silver lining, but not the full haul the team needed. The Senators have shown throughout this season that they can hang with the top clubs in the Eastern Conference, and Sunday was no different in terms of compete level.
What It Means for Ottawa's Playoff Picture
With the regular season winding down, the Senators can't afford to leave points on the table. Every overtime loss keeps the pressure on, and the team will need to regroup quickly and respond in their next outing.
The good news for Sens fans in Ottawa is that this group has shown character all year. Head coach Travis Green has built a squad that competes hard every night, and while the result was disappointing, the effort through 60-plus minutes gave Ottawa every chance to win.
Expect the Senators to come out with an edge in their next game — this kind of close loss has a way of lighting a fire under a playoff-hungry roster.
Looking Ahead
Ottawa's remaining schedule will be closely watched by fans across the nation's capital. The Canadian Tire Centre crowd has been a genuine home-ice advantage all season, and the Senators will be leaning on that energy as they push for a postseason spot.
For now, though, it's back to the drawing board after a heartbreaker against New Jersey. The Senators fought until the final buzzer — they'll need more of the same, and a better result, in the games ahead.
Source: Prince George Citizen via Google News
