Brady Tkachuk scores twice as Senators blank reeling Penguins

Captain Brady Tkachuk scored two goals and Linus Ullmark made 23 saves, fueling the host Ottawa Senators to a 4-0 victory over the reeling Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

Ullmark turned aside all 11 shots he faced in the third period to preserve his 13th career shutout and first of the season. He improved to 7-0-0 in seven career games against Pittsburgh.

David Perron scored early in the second period for his 800th career point and Claude Giroux also tallied for the Senators, who improved to 7-0-1 in their last eight meetings with the Penguins.

Ottawa's Drake Batherson notched two assists and Tim Stutzle had one while playing in his 400th career NHL game.

Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby was held off the scoresheet to remain one point shy of Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux (1,723) for the most in franchise history.

The Penguins nearly snapped Ullmark's shutout bid midway into the second period, however Rickard Rakell was deemed to have interfered with the netminder on the play. Pittsburgh was unsuccessful in its subsequent challenge as well.

Arturs Silovs finished with 22 saves for the Penguins, who extended their winless streak to seven games (0-3-4).

Ottawa converted its first power-play opportunity after Silovs was whistled for a tripping penalty.

Facing away from the net just in front of the goal line, Batherson neatly backhanded a centering feed that Tkachuk converted from the doorstep to open the scoring at 2:16 of the first period.

Perron doubled the advantage 1:34 into the second period after he deflected home Jordan Spence's shot toward the net.

Ridly Greig's pass caromed off the skate of Michael Amadio and right to Giroux, who converted from in close to give Ottawa a 3-0 lead at 4:50 of the second period.

Tkachuk scored into an empty net with 6:05 left in the third period to seal the win.

LPGA golfer and Ontario native Brooke Henderson dropped the ceremonial puck prior to the game.

--Field Level Media