Senators Snap Losing Streak With Convincing 5-1 Win Over Sharks

The Ottawa Senators made sure their first losing streak of the season was quickly nipped in the bud on Saturday afternoon.

Dylan Cozens, Tim Stutzle, and Shane Pinto each had a goal and an assist as the Senators defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-1, snapping a two-game losing streak and picking up a much-needed victory on their five-game road trip. Jake Sanderson chipped in with two assists.

In a way, they flipped the script on their loss in LA Thursday. In that game, the score was tied at one after 20 minutes before the Kings erupted for four unanswered goals in the second.

In this one, it was also tied at one after 20, but this time it was the Sens who erupted in the second, putting up three unanswered goals.

Drake Batherson, Tim Stützle and Ridly Greig scored in a span of just over seven minutes, giving the Senators all the offence they would need.

Cozens opened the scoring at 13:25 of the first period before Michael Misa responded for San Jose at 18:08, sending the teams to the dressing rooms tied at one.

The Senators broke the game open in the middle frame, starting with Batherson's ninth goal of the season at 5:04. Philip Tomasino, making his Senators debut after being recalled from Belleville on Friday, picked up an assist on the goal.

Stützle made it 3-1 at 10:54, finishing off a gorgeous passing play on a rush set up by a thundering hit on Misa by Tyler Kleven.

The Sens did a nice job protecting the lead in the third, putting things away on a third period empty netter by Pinto.

For Tomasino, it was an encouraging first impression. The 25-year-old forward was one of two players recalled from Belleville on Friday, along with Xavier Bourgault, after injuries to Warren Foegele and Andre Burakovsky and a two-game suspension to Hayden Hodgson left the Senators desperately short of forwards.

Tomasino didn't look out of place in his first game with the club. Beyond his assist, he had opportunities to make an even bigger contribution.

The Senators also got an important performance in goal from Sam Ersson, who earned his first victory with the club. Ersson stopped 21 shots, giving the Senators the kind of steady goaltending they've been looking for since Linus Ullmark went down with an injury.

With Ullmark still sidelined, the Senators would love nothing more than to see Ersson seize the opportunity and establish himself as a reliable option until their number-one returns.

The Senators outshot the Sharks 35-22. They also did an excellent job of protecting their lead in the third, limiting San Jose to just seven shots.

It was an especially welcome result after consecutive losses in Vegas and Los Angeles and this time, there was no need for any crazy late-game comebacks.

The Senators will finish up their western swing tomorrow night in Anaheim.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa