In Ottawa, the Senators surrendered two early goals to the visiting Winnipeg Jets on Monday and then rallied back with four unanswered goals in 4-2 win.
Anton Forsberg made 24 saves to get the win after settling down.
“Pretty gutsy win, having been down 2-0,” Ottawa head coach D.J. Smith said. “A lot of young guys sometimes start going out on their own page, but we didn’t tonight. We found a way to get ourselves a win.”
Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers were the early scorers for Winnipeg.
“We had a hard time managing the puck, physically and mentally,” Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice said. “We gave up four breakaways, so you’re not winning that game, or you don’t deserve to.”
Brady Tkachuk scored twice in the Senators rally, including the first and last goals of the string.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Tkachuk said. “I told him that, at this pace, we’re going to have a little bet going. I think he’s going to score in the next 13 (games). Nobody deserves it more than him.”
Connor Brown tied the game at 2-2 with a goal, it was his eighth straight game with a strike.
“I thought all four lines contributed,” Brown said. “We’re just building and building and building. We’ve played good games before that leading up, against real top-end teams that are ready to win Cups now, and we’re making plays right with them. We’re not just hanging on by a thread, relying on our goalie. We’re in the games, we’re going play-for-play with them.”
Evgenii Dadonov scored what was the game-winner midway through the third period.
“It’s pretty crazy,” Ottawa’s newly acquired Victor Mete said. “Had practice this morning in Montreal and then skated with the extras after. Got told at [noon] that I got claimed by Ottawa. Got a call from [Senators general manager Pierre Dorion] and D.J. [Smith] asking if I could make the game and I said, ‘Yeah.’ … My fiancée and I quickly packed and I came straight to the rink.
“No pregame routine today, but I felt good.”
Tkachuk closed out the scoring with just under two minutes left on the clock.
Connor Hellebuyck made 20 saves in the loss.
“He’s been outstanding,” Connor said. “I’m sure he wants every single goal back because he’s just that type of player that pushes himself and competes that hard. I think his confidence won’t waver. He’s that guy, he’ll bounce back and be even greater next game.”
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