Here are three takeaways from the Senators 6-2 win Tuesday night over the New York Rangers

The Senators are back…maybe? 

Here are three takeaways from the Senators 6-2 win Tuesday night over the New York Rangers

1. Anton Forsberg is providing Ottawa with excellent goaltending

After a 39-save shutout on Saturday against the Seattle Kraken, Anton Forsberg put in his second straight stellar performance Tuesday night. Forsberg was tested throughout the game, stopping 33 of 35 shots against the Rangers, including a flawless 5-on-3 sequence. Even the second goal he allowed, he initially robbed Alexis Lafreniere point blank in the slot on the play but couldn't stop the next shot. 

Overall, Forsberg provided elite goaltending once again for the Senators. As good as the forwards were for the Senators, if it weren't for Forsberg's heroics, especially in the second period, it could have been a completely different game; he was Ottawa's best player. With Ottawa needing wins to climb back in the race, they cannot afford any slip-ups; they need to ride the hot hand and start Forsberg again on Thursday against Toronto.

2. Tarasenko sniping ending 13-game goalless drought

Tarasenko was outstanding, with two goals and an assist on Tuesday night. His line, with Stutzle and Batherson, was everywhere, controlling the play and putting pressure on the Rangers. Tarasenko hadn't been scoring and had been relegated to the third line with Rourke Chartier as his centre. With no disrespect to Chartier, Tarasenko was not in a prime position to produce. 

Tarasenko didn't just score but created a number of chances last night. DJ Smith's decision to put Tarasenko alongside Stutzle in the past two games has paid dividends, producing 10 points between Tarasenko, Stutzle, and Batherson in the past two games. If Tarasenko can get going, this Senators team will be hard to stop.

3. The 5-on-3 penalty kill, a sign of things to come?

The Senators had the 27th-ranked penalty kill coming into this game against the NHL's 3rd-best power play in the NY Rangers. Even though the Senators did give up a power play goal in the second period, the 5 on 3 kill in the third was spectacular. Claude Giroux won multiple faceoffs, Forsberg stood on his head, and Mathieu Joseph almost got a breakaway. For all intents and purposes, that kill finished the game off for Ottawa. 

Tuesday night's game was a massive step in the right direction for the Senators' special teams play.