In Ottawa, the Calgary Flames’ Austin Czarnik scored with 41 seconds left in regulation to drive them to a 2-1 win over the Senators.
The Flames improved to 39-16-7 on the strength of their fifth straight win.
“I’m starting to feel really good,” Czarnik said. “I was out for a month and that was tough to handle, but ever since then I’ve just been trying to shoot the puck, and right now they’re going in.”
David Rittich picked up the win in Ottawa – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
David Rittich made 22 saves to get the win.
“I think, defensively, we’ve dialed it in a little bit here,” Czarnik said. “For us to be able to dial it in, you need to be able to win close games like that, low scoring games. For us to be able to do that, it’s a big step in our game.”
Brady Tkachuk scored the only Sens goal on a breakaway in the second period.
“I thought we were the better team for most of that game, or some of that game,” Tkachuk said. “Old, young, we’re here for a reason and we’re all good enough to be at this level, so I thought we played well and it’s just the beginning. We’re going to get better every day.”
The goal was the first for Ottawa in nearly 161 minutes of play.
“I’m happy for my brother. What a sick goal that was,” said Calgary forward Matthew Tkachuk, Brady’s brother . “He made it hard on us. They made it hard on us tonight, and it took us 59 minutes to get that win, but it’s a big win and continues this winning streak we’ve got here.”
Mikael Backlund gave the Flames 1-0 lead early in the opening frame.
[WATCH: All Flames vs. Senators highlights | Tkachuk brothers, family share memorable night]
Craig Anderson made 33 saves in the loss.
“It’s a good opportunity for me here. A young team, rebuilding mode, I think I just fit right in. I spoke to [Senators general manager Pierre Dorion] last night and I think the way that we play, with a lot of speed and we try to make some plays, I think it fits my game perfectly,” newly acquired Sens forward Anthony Duclair said.
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