Senators down Red Wings to gain playoff positioning

Field Level Media|published: Tue 24th March, 22:12 2026

Mar 24, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson (36) makes a save on Ottawa Senators right wing Drake Batherson (19) in the first period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Carter Yakemchuk scored a second-period goal and added an assist in his NHL debut as the streaking Ottawa Senators edged the host Detroit Red Wings, 3-2, on Tuesday.

Yakemchuk, a 20-year-old defenseman and No. 7 pick of the 2024 draft, was called up from the American Hockey League's Belleville Senators earlier in the day. The NHL Senators played without injured defensemen Thomas Chabot, Dennis Gilbert, Nick Jensen, Jake Sanderson and Lassi Thomson.

Brady Tkachuk scored his 20th goal of the season for the Senators, who have won four straight and nine of their last 11 games. Lars Eller scored the other goal for the Senators (38-24-9, 85 points), who vaulted ahead of the Red Wings in the playoff chase with the win. Linus Ullmark made 32 saves for the Senators, who currently occupy the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit captain Dylan Larkin scored in his return to action on a third-period power play. Larkin had missed the previous seven games due to a lower body injury.

Dominik Shine also scored for the Red Wings (38-25-8, 84 points), while John Gibson stopped 18 shots.

Detroit defenseman Justin Faulk banged a shot from the point off the right post midway through the period. The Red Wings seemingly grabbed the lead a short time later when Alex DeBrincat beat Ullmark in front during a power play. Ottawa challenged the play and Detroit was ruled to be offside.

After Gibson stopped Ridly Greig on a breakaway, the Senators were awarded a power play when Simon Edvinsson was whistled for tripping. Tkachuk then scored on a tip-in of a Tim Stutzle shot.

Yakemchuk scored from the top of the right circle at 9:28 of the second period. Artem Zub picked up the assist with a pass from the point.

Eller made it 3-0 with 8:55 left in the period. Tkaczuk collected an assist, winning a puck battle along the boards and feeding Eller in the right circle.

Shine put the Red Wings on the board with 5:10 remaining in the period, tipping in an Edvinsson shot. Moritz Seider had the second assist.

Larkin scored in front with 15:47 remaining on a power play to cut Ottawa's lead to one. DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond had the assists.

--Field Level Media

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