Stutzle's Perfect Night Lifts Senators Past Flyers in Overtime Thriller

Two goals on two shots—including OT winner—extends Ottawa’s dominance over Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Tim Stutzle didn’t waste a single opportunity. Two shots. Two goals. One overtime winner that kept the Philadelphia Flyers wondering what it takes to beat Ottawa.

The German center capped his perfect shooting night by tapping in Drake Batherson’s cross-ice feed at 3:19 of overtime, lifting the Senators to a 3-2 victory at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday night. Ottawa (7-5-3) improved to 8-1-1 in their last 10 meetings against Philadelphia despite managing just 13 shots and going nearly 40 minutes without recording one. The Flyers (8-5-2) rallied from 2-0 down but couldn’t solve Linus Ullmark when it mattered most.

The Turning Point

The Senators tried to sit on a one-goal lead and nearly paid for it. From 2:43 of the second period until 1:26 left in regulation, Ottawa didn’t register a single shot on goal—a stunning 38-minute drought that handed Philadelphia all the momentum.

Jamie Drysdale capitalized at 9:55 of the third, pouncing on a rebound to tie the game 2-2 and send Xfinity Mobile Arena into a frenzy. The Flyers had erased the deficit. The crowd sensed a comeback win.

Then Stutzle happened. Thomas Chabot read the overtime rush perfectly, feeding Batherson wide open on the left wing. Batherson didn’t hesitate—cross-ice pass to a charging Stutzle, who tapped it home before Samuel Ersson could slide across.

“Unbelievable pass by Drake,” Stutzle said. “I just drive the net, and he’ll find me.”

How It Happened

Ottawa’s veteran duo struck early and struck fast. David Perron and Claude Giroux—both 37 years old, both former Flyers—combined for assists on the Senators’ first two goals, scored just 65 seconds apart in the opening period.

Stutzle opened the scoring at 5:14, snapping Perron’s feed past Ersson’s blocker. Michael Amadio doubled the lead at 6:19, finishing Giroux’s centering pass through an unprotected slot. The quick-strike combo stunned the home crowd and put Philadelphia in chase mode.

The Flyers pushed back when Matvei Michkov broke his nine-game goal drought at 11:23 of the second, spinning away from Jake Sanderson and burying his chance to cut it to 2-1. Christian Dvorak assisted on both Philadelphia goals, dominating the faceoff circle at 66.7% while Travis Konecny extended his point streak to seven games.

But Ottawa’s defensive shell—as frustrating as it was to watch—held just long enough. Ullmark stopped 20 of 22 shots, and when Drysdale tied it late, the Senators had just enough left in overtime to finish the job.

Player of the Game: Tim Stutzle

Two goals on two shots. A perfect 100% shooting percentage. The overtime winner. Stutzle’s seventh career OT goal tied him with Mike Fisher for second-most in Senators franchise history, and it extended his hot streak to six goals in his last six games.

Beyond the scoring, Stutzle won 58.3% of his faceoffs and logged 18:26 of ice time, including 2:18 shorthanded. When Ottawa needed a difference-maker in overtime, their 23-year-old center delivered—again.

Bottom Line

For Ottawa: This gritty road win masks serious defensive issues (31st in goals against, dead last in penalty kill percentage), but the Senators continue finding ways to collect points. At 5-1-3 in their last nine, they’re surviving on offensive firepower alone.

For Philadelphia: Two games, two slow starts, two comebacks that fell short. The Flyers dominated territorially (22-13 shots, 26-18 hits) but couldn’t capitalize when they had Ottawa on the ropes. Rick Tocchet’s message is clear: “I’ve got to do a better job of getting the team ready.”

What’s Next

Ottawa Senators host Utah Hockey Club on Sunday night (first of a four-game homestand) looking to keep their offensive surge rolling.

Philadelphia Flyers get a few days off before hosting the high-powered Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night—another test of whether they can match opponents’ intensity from the opening puck drop.

By The Numbers

Tim Stutzle: 2 goals on 2 shots (100% shooting) — Efficiency at its finest. His seventh career OT goal ties Mike Fisher for second in Senators history.
Linus Ullmark: 20 saves on 22 shots (.909 SV%) — The Senators goalie held strong through Philadelphia’s third-period barrage, facing 17 even-strength shots and 3 power-play attempts to secure the win.
Samuel Ersson: 10 saves on 13 shots (.769 SV%) — Tough night for the Flyers netminder, who surrendered two goals in the opening 6:19. Settled down afterward but couldn’t stop Stutzle’s overtime winner.
Faceoff Battle: Ottawa 54.7%, Philadelphia 45.3% — Shane Pinto (60%) and Christian Dvorak (66.7%) were dominant in the circle, but the Senators’ overall edge helped control overtime.
The Shot Drought: 38 minutes without a shot — From 2:43 of the second period to 1:26 of the third, Ottawa went silent offensively. They survived it, but barely.
Travis Sanheim: Game-high 26:00 TOI — The Flyers defenseman was a workhorse, logging the most ice time of any player while Philadelphia pressured relentlessly in the third period.

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