Josh Norris scored two goals and Drake Batherson had two assists as the Ottawa Senators recorded a 4-1 win over the visiting Dallas Stars on Thursday.
The Senators are on a three-game points streak (2-0-1) and are 9-3-3 in their last 15 games.
Thomas Chabot and Shane Pinto scored Ottawa’s other goals. Goaltender Anton Forsberg stopped 14 of 15 shots to earn his 10th win in 19 games this season.
The Stars’ four-game winless drought (0-2-2) is their longest of the season.
Joe Pavelski scored the lone Dallas goal. The Stars had only 15 shots, matching their lowest total of the season.
Scott Wedgewood stopped 18 of 19 shots in a relief outing. Starting goaltender Jake Oettinger was pulled midway through the second period after allowing three goals on 11 shots.
Norris’ tip-in goal gave Ottawa the early lead 4:12 into the first period, but the Stars struck late for the equalizer. With just 10 seconds remaining before the first intermission, Pavelski scored his 20th goal of the season by depositing the rebound of Jamie Benn’s deflected shot.
The Senators weren’t at all deflated by the late concession. Ottawa responded by scoring three goals and outshooting Dallas by a 13-4 margin in the second frame.
Batherson earned his 200th career NHL point in impressive fashion with a tremendous assist at 5:37 of the second period. Batherson’s chip pass at center ice found a streaking Norris, who beat Miro Heiskanen to the puck and then beat Oettinger with a wrist shot.
Strong forechecking from the Senators set up Chabot’s tally at 8:56 of the second period. Oettinger was pulled after that goal, seemingly due to a coaching decision rather than any injury.
The Senators wrapped up the dominant period with a late goal of their own. During a power play, Pinto converted on a one-timer at the 19:43 mark for his fourth goal of the season.
Ottawa forward Claude Giroux had the primary assist on Pinto’s goal. He has nine points (three goals, six assists) over a seven-game points streak.
–Field Level Media
