Senators Fall in Double Overtime Despite Ullmark's Heroics, Trail Hurricanes 2-0
The Ottawa Senators experienced a devastating journey from hope to heartbreak in their playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday night, dropping a 3-2 double-overtime decision that puts them in a precarious position heading back home.
Martinook's Late Heroics Seal Victory
Jordan Martinook became the hero for Carolina, beating Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark on the glove side with just 6:51 remaining in the second overtime period. The goal secured a crucial 3-2 victory for the Hurricanes, giving them a commanding 2-0 series lead as the action shifts to Ottawa for Game 3 on Thursday.
Martinook's game-winner came on the 46th shot Ullmark faced, putting a damper on what had been a spectacular performance by the Ottawa netminder throughout the marathon contest. Ullmark finished with 43 saves, many of them highlight-reel quality that kept his team in the game when they were being outplayed.
Dramatic Overtime Sequences
The overtime periods featured several dramatic moments that could have changed the outcome. Martinook was awarded a penalty shot with just three minutes remaining in the first overtime but was denied by Ullmark. Later, Mark Jankowski appeared to score what would have been the game-winner with 2:42 left in overtime, but the goal was overturned after video review determined the play was offside.
"Once you get to overtime, you know a mistake will decide it," noted observers as the two teams traded chances throughout the extra frames. The Senators hit a combined total of five posts and crossbars throughout the game, adding to their frustration.
Ullmark's Spectacular Performance
If not for Ullmark's brilliance, this game wouldn't have been close. The Senators were outshot 30-16 through the first two periods, and Ullmark made several spectacular saves to keep the score tied 2-2 heading into the third period.
"He's been playing unbelievable. He's been making massive saves in big moments and we can do a better job in front of him," said center Dylan Cozens, who scored in regulation along with Drake Batherson.
Ullmark entered the game with a challenging playoff history against Carolina, carrying an 0-3-0 career record with a 3.49 goals-against average and .884 save percentage against the Hurricanes in postseason play. He significantly improved those numbers with his performance in Game 2.
Senators Face Uphill Battle
The loss puts Ottawa in a difficult historical position. The franchise has never won a playoff series after falling behind 2-0, a scenario that has occurred ten times in their history, including last spring against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Captain Brady Tkachuk acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the importance of moving forward: "We had a chance to score and we didn't. That's the way it goes sometimes. It sucks, but we've got a really important game in front of our fans that are going to be fired up."
Series Shifts to Ottawa
As the series moves to Ottawa for Game 3, the Senators must rediscover the formula that helped them reach the playoffs. During their regular season push, Ottawa succeeded by limiting scoring chances and winning puck battles, but Carolina's aggressive style has made it difficult to replicate that success.
The third period showed promise for Ottawa, as they pushed the pace and were the better team, creating a frantic finish to regulation time. Frederik Andersen made 37 saves for Carolina, matching Ullmark's excellence for much of the game.
This series has developed into a hard, physical battle where both teams must pay the price to create scoring opportunities. The Senators showed they could match Carolina's intensity in the third period and will need to sustain that effort for a full sixty minutes—or more—in Game 3 to avoid falling into a nearly insurmountable 3-0 series deficit.
