Tim Stutzle scored an overtime game-winner in Philadelphia for the second time this season, lifting the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 victory over the Flyers on Thursday.
Stutzle, who also scored in OT in a 3-2 road win over the Flyers on Nov. 8, raced past Travis Sanheim in this one before deking Dan Vladar with a nifty move to his backhand. The decisive sequence came seconds after Philadelphia’s Travis Konecny misfired on a 2-on-1 on the other end.
Nick Cousins also scored and James Reimer made 15 saves for Ottawa, which will head into the Olympic break having won five of its last six games. Philadelphia, which earned a point thanks to Jamie Drysdale’s goal late in regulation, has lost five of six heading into the break.
The Flyers pulled their goaltender with about two minutes left and tied it with 1:14 remaining. Bobby Brink sent a feed to the left circle for Drysdale, whose shot got through Reimer to draw the hosts even.
Stutzle’s game-winning goal marked his fifth straight game with a tally. He has 28 goals on the season, while none of his teammates have reached 20 yet.
Philadelphia managed only two shots in the first period, compared to eight for Ottawa. The Flyers made some noise early in the second period, but they were unable to solve Reimer.
The Senators opened the scoring midway through the second period. Shane Pinto took a shot that Vladar saved, although the rebound caromed to the right of the crease. Cousins was right there to deposit the puck for his eighth of the season.
Philadelphia was more active in the second period, registering six shots, but Ottawa put 13 shots on Vladar in the session. The Flyers killed off a penalty late in the period and trailed 1-0 heading into the third.
Vladar finished with 25 saves for Philadelphia.
