Pavel Zacha scores late in OT as Bruins defeat Senators 3-2 for fifth consecutive win
Pavel Zacha pushed in a rebound with six seconds remaining in overtime, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night. The win marked Boston’s fifth straight and sixth in their last seven games after an earlier six-game skid.
Game Summary
Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo made 20 saves for Boston, while Morgan Geekie and Sean Kuraly each scored in the second period to give the Bruins a 2-1 edge.
Ottawa’s Claude Giroux evened the score midway through the third period, making it 2-2. In the closing moments of regulation, former Bruin Linus Ullmark denied a Boston chance to preserve the tie.
Overtime Decisive Moment
In the extra frame, Charlie McAvoy fired a shot through Ullmark’s pads, setting up Zacha to drive home the rebound for the game-winner.
Player Highlights
- Andrew Peeke contributed two assists for Boston.
- Michael Amadio and Claude Giroux both tallied goals for Ottawa, with Giroux also adding an assist.
- Linus Ullmark recorded 22 saves, taking his first loss against the Bruins since being traded to Ottawa before the 2024–25 season.
“Pavel Zacha poked in a rebound with 6 seconds left in overtime,” the Associated Press reported, “to lead the Boston Bruins to their fifth straight win.”
Season Context
Boston retained goaltender Jeremy Swayman on an eight-year, 66 million dollar deal, pairing him with Korpisalo as backup. Ullmark, the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner when with Boston, now anchors Ottawa’s net as they try to rebound from dropping three of their last four games.
Author’s Summary: Zacha’s clutch overtime goal secured Boston’s fifth consecutive victory, reaffirming their resilience after overcoming early-season adversity.