The Golden Knights stole a point in Ottawa on Saturday night with an impressive late goal courtesy of Chandler Stephenson in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Senators. The Knights got out to a 2-0 lead before allowing the Senators to come back and tie the game in the second and take the lead in the third. It was the third consecutive loss for the Knights and their fifth in six games as they try and stay afloat in the race for second in the Pacific Division.

“Obviously it’d be nice to secure the two-goal lead that we had, but credit to them for their push. Shootouts can go either way in this league,” said Stephenson. “It just wasn’t the outcome that we wanted.”

How it happened

Jonathan Marchessault opened the scoring with a backhander for his 30th goal of the season at 5:41 in the first period to put the Golden Knights ahead 1-0. It’s just the second 30 goal season of the Conn Smythe winner’s career, in addition to his 2021-22 campaign in Vegas. Marchessault also became the first player in Golden Knights history to register multiple 30 goal seasons with the team.

Chandler Stephenson extended the Golden Knights lead to 2-0 early in the second with a power-play goal that he snuck past the Senators goalie via the top corner. It was the first of two goals on the night for the center who has been struggling as of late. 

The Senators got a goal of their own a few minutes later thanks to Thomas Chabot, courtesy of assists from Mathieu Joseph and Claude Giroux. This was the first of two consecutive Senators goals that came as a direct result of mishaps by veteran Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez after he returned from being shaken up in the first period. 

The second of those goals came with just 1:13 remaining in the period, as Drake Batherson converted on the power-play to tie the game and leave the Knights reeling headed into the final period once again. Brady Tkachuk tallied the primary assist on the goal. This failed clearance was a bit more egregious of an mistake by Martinez as it led directly to the scoring chance.

The Senators continued their momentum in the early stages of the third period when Josh Norris added a third consecutive goal that gave the Sens their first lead of the day in front of a great Saturday crowd in Ottawa.

The Golden Knights managed to preserve a point despite a disastrous second half of the game thanks to Chandler Stephenson’s second goal of the game with just 1:15 remaining in the game. While they would have preferred to take two points in Ottawa, it was a fantastic effort by Stephenson and William Karlsson to make a desperate play in the waning moments for a Knights team that needed something.

Both goalies held firm in the overtime period, with Logan Thompson looking particularly impressive. The Senators ended the shootout without allowing a single goal to the Knights. Tim Stutzle tallied what would be the game winner on the Senators second attempt.

Next game

The Golden Knights continue their road trip with a rematch of Thursday’s 7-3 drubbing against the Maple Leafs. Puck drop at the Scotiabank Arena is set for 4 p.m.