Tkachuk's Overtime Penalty Costs Senators in Collapse Against Oilers
In a dramatic and frustrating turn of events, the Ottawa Senators suffered a 5-4 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The defeat was sealed when Senators captain Brady Tkachuk took a holding penalty in extra time, leading directly to Evan Bouchard's game-winning power-play goal for the Oilers.
Senators' Strong Start Fades into Disappointment
After building a 4-2 lead through two periods, the Senators appeared poised for a victory. However, their offensive momentum stalled dramatically in the third period and overtime, managing only three total shots during that span. This allowed the Oilers to mount a relentless comeback, ultimately tying the game before capitalizing on Tkachuk's penalty to secure the win.
Goaltender Linus Ullmark struggled to contain Edmonton's surge, while defenseman Jake Sanderson had a notably rough night on the blue line. In contrast, forward Drake Batherson continued his hot streak, scoring two goals for the second consecutive game, bringing his total to four goals in two outings.
Key Player Performances and Grades
Brady Tkachuk: C
Tkachuk faced loud boos from the Edmonton crowd whenever he touched the puck and failed to deliver a strong response. He recorded just one hit, one shot, and four giveaways. His overtime penalty proved costly: as Connor McDavid raced up ice for a potential 2-on-1, Tkachuk hooked and tackled him, leading to the game-ending power play. Despite this, he did contribute a precise one-touch cross-slot pass to assist Batherson's first goal.
Tim Stutzle: B
Stutzle started slowly, struggling with Edmonton's cycle in the first period and being beaten by Leon Draisaitl on a play that tied the game 1-1. However, he rebounded with dynamic puck-handling, setting up Batherson for a tap-in goal in the second period and hitting two posts on solo rushes later in the game.
Dylan Cozens: A-
Cozens opened the scoring with a wrist shot over Connor Ingram's glove, marking his 26th goal in 81 games since joining the Senators. With 63 points and a team-leading hit count since the trade, he has proven to be a valuable acquisition.
Drake Batherson: A-
Batherson's offensive prowess shone through with two goals, including a wrist shot and a finish on a stellar pass from Stutzle. He displayed strong defensive efforts and determination in puck pursuits, though he inadvertently scored an own goal off a teammate's skate.
Shane Pinto: B-
Pinto made a solid block early in the third period but immediately followed it with a delay-of-game penalty for throwing the puck over the glass. Edmonton capitalized on the ensuing power play to cut the lead to 4-3. He finished with one shot, two blocks, two hits, and a minus-1 rating in 21 minutes of ice time.
Broader Implications and Fan Reaction
This loss represents another missed opportunity for the Senators, who have struggled to close out games this season. The collapse in the final periods highlights ongoing issues with consistency and defensive resilience. Fans and analysts alike are left questioning the team's ability to maintain leads against top-tier opponents like the Oilers.
As the season progresses, the Senators will need to address these shortcomings to avoid similar disappointments. The performance of key players like Tkachuk and Ullmark will be under scrutiny, while Batherson's scoring surge offers a silver lining in an otherwise frustrating outing.
