‘We found a way today’: Senators show resilience in tough games

Ottawa’s senators are getting comfortable with being restless.

Over the past two weeks, the Senators (9-5-4) have consistently found themselves in tough contests, either tied or within a goal late in regulation.

These situations have often blown over in past seasons, but this year the team is finally showing maturity by adjusting to late-game pressure.

They did it again on Thursday, finishing with a 5-3 victory over a Boston Bruins team that was riding a seven-game winning streak.

Boston tied the game early in the third, but Ottawa kept its composure, pressed and was eventually rewarded.

“You know, we’ve given up some leads lately,” center Dylan Cousins ​​said. “But we found a way today. It’s a tie game, eight minutes left or whatever, take the fight back and get another one and you know win in regulation. So, yeah, big character win.”

Between the four-game homestand, the Senators have picked up five of a possible six points and are pushing for first in the Atlantic Division.

After a rough start and losing captain Brady Tkachuk to a hand injury, Ottawa seems to be finding its identity and being patient when needed.

Head coach Travis Greene is still looking for a full 60-minute effort from his team, but it’s getting closer with each game.

He especially liked the group’s performance against the Bruins.

“I really liked the way we fought (Thursday),” Green said. “It was a tough game. It was a physical game. I don’t want playoff hockey, but it was a tough battle and you have to raise your competition level if you want to win and I thought our guys did that.”

Without Tkachuk, the Senators have been forced to play the bulk of their last two games with five defensemen. Thomas Chabot left the first round Tuesday with an upper-body injury, and on Thursday the Senators were without veteran Nick Jensen for the third round.

There was no update on Jensen following the game, but Ottawa may need to recall someone from the American Hockey League affiliate in Belleville for Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings.

An extended absence for either Jensen or Chabot will be a true test of the Senators’ depth and resilience.

Shane Pinto, who signed a four-year extension on Thursday, said it’s meant to help defensemen up front when they find themselves short-handed.

“We have to help them,” Pinto said. “I think especially breaking pucks. They were a heavy anticipation team, and they ran very well, and it’s on us to help them. Set some picks, and hopefully they can break it for us. And I thought they all did a great job.”