Senators 2, Flyers 1: Yakemchuk's power-play goal wins Ottawa's home opener
Carter Yakemchuk's one-timer broke a tie in the third period, leaving Philadelphia winless through five games — and Ottawa waiting on an Eklund update.
Carter Yakemchuk's power-play goal at 13:01 of the third period gave the Ottawa Senators a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night in their home opener at Canadian Tire Centre, per NHL.com.
How the goals came
Nick Cousins put Ottawa ahead at 10:14 of the first period, tipping a shot from Tyler Kleven at the point past Joseph Woll. Philadelphia tied it at 7:46 of the second on the power play, when Matvei Michkov tapped in a loose puck on the backhand after a Trevor Zegras shot trickled through Linus Ullmark's pads.
The winner came with Ottawa on the man advantage. Yakemchuk one-timed a shot from the point past Woll, with Claude Giroux assisting. NHL.com reports it was the defenceman's second NHL goal; he scored one in four games last season.
"I think we battled hard all game, and to finally get rewarded with one on the power play felt really good," Yakemchuk said, per NHL.com.
The Flyers' missed chance
Philadelphia had the best opportunity to change the result. According to NHL.com, the Flyers were 1-for-4 on the power play and had a 5-on-3 for 27 seconds starting at 7:50 of the third period that they did not convert. Zegras said the 5-on-3 "is probably the spot where we need to get one."
Ullmark made 28 saves for Ottawa and Woll stopped 24 for Philadelphia. Senators coach Travis Green called it "a greasy, greasy game that had a lot of intensity to it." Flyers captain Sean Couturier said, "We didn't get the result that we needed, but at least we got a good effort," and coach Rick Tocchet said, "We competed well, the passing was better."
Standings and a worry for Ottawa
Ottawa improved to 3-1-0. Philadelphia fell to 0-3-2; NHL.com says five straight losses to open the season is the franchise's worst start since 0-3-3 in 2008-09.
The win came with a cost. Ottawa forward William Eklund left in the first period with a lower-body injury after Flyers defenceman Simon Benoit hit him awkwardly into the boards. NHL.com reports Eklund could not put weight on his left leg, did not return, and Green had no update after the game.
What it means
For Ottawa, the result is a home-opener win built on special teams and goaltending, with Eklund's status now the main question. For Philadelphia, the effort is there by the coaches' own account, but the winless start is now a measurable hole in the standings.