Senators prevail over Penguins

How to watch: Sportsnet 360 / CITY / TVAS

How to listen: TSN 1200 / Unique FM 94,5

When: 7 p.m. EST

Where: Canadian Tire Centre

It feels like an age since the Senators last laced up their skates at Canadian Tire Centre, but the wait is over as they are set to take on the Penguins in the final game before the holiday break. Get your tickets here!

The Senators look to rebound from a tough Western Conference road trip that saw them go 0-5-0 though the record doesn't necessarily tell the whole story. In their last game the Senators can fairly chalk the loss up to the special teams. The Senators struggled to convert on the power play, and Colorado was pin point in their execution.

What that story doesn't tell is how much more detailed the five-on-five play looked for the Senators. Three of the Sens four goals came at even strength and they were able to establish pressure in the offensive zone and control the pace of play. All tenets that Jacques Martin has been looking to instill since taking the reins on Monday.

Heading into the holiday break the Senators look to have a familiar face returning to his old ways. Josh Norris is on a four-game goal streak and has now scored in six of his last eight games. The former 35-goal scorer finding his stride after sitting out effectively a full season, is welcomed news heading into the holiday break.

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Pittsburgh, who had a slow start to the season, seems to have found their footing of late. Winners in four of their last five games the chemistry of their veteran leadership is shining through as we approach the holiday break. Led by captain, Sidney Crosby who paces the Penguins in goals with 19, and second in points with 34 only behind Jake Guentzel who has 35.

A familiar face in Erik Karlsson is back in town for the first time as a member of the Penguins. The 33-year old defenceman seems to have lived up to exactly what the Penguins wanted to see of him. In 31 games Karlsson leads all Penguins defencemen with 22 points and a year after leading all defencemen with his first 100-point season last year, he sits in the top-20 once again.

Expect an impassionaed battle from both sides here tonight as they try to head into the holiday break on a high note and make up ground in the Eastern Conference playoff standings.

By the numbers

Head coach Jacques Martin confirmed that there would be no changes to the roster tonight, though it appears that Anton Forsberg will get the start between the pipes. Below is how the team lined up at morning skate:

Hear from interim head coach Jacques Martin ahead of tonight's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, his first behind the bench for the Senators in nearly 20 years:

Watch the full recap of the Senators win over the Penguins earlier this season:

Sens vs Penguins is now underway at Canadian Tire Centre!

\Penalty:\ Ridly Greig is called for interference with 17:57 to go in the first. Penguins get the first try on the power play.

\Penalty:\ Sens get called for too many men on the ice at the 17:35 mark. Brady Tkachuk serves the penalty as the Sens try and kill off a five on three.

Sens successfully kill off their first two penalties

\Penalty:\ John Ludvig is called for tripping Drake Batherson at the 11:56 mark. Sens get their first try on the power play.

\Goal:\ Jakob Chychrun nets the first goal of the game with the help of Claude Giroux and Josh Norris. Sens lead 1-0 in the first with 8:53 to go.

\Penalty:\ Jake Sanderson gets called for holding, Sens go back to the penalty kill wth 7:05 left in the first.

\Goal:\ Penguins get their first goal of the game, scored by Lars Eller at the 5:29 mark.

\Goal:\ Josh Norris continues his goal streak and bats the puck in to regain the lead with 4:59 left. Sens are up 2-1.

\Penalty:\ Ryan Graves gets called at the 2:00 mark for holding against Brady Tkachuk. Sens are back on the power play.

\Penalty:\ Claude Giroux gets called for tripping John Ludvig, with 00:24 left in the first. Sens will start the second period on the penalty kill.

Sens kill off the remainder of their penalty to start the second.

\Goal:\ Brady Tkachuk nets one in to give the Sens a two goal lead with 17:50 to go in the second period. Sens are up 3-1.

\Penalty:\ John Ludvig gets called for cross-checking at the 17:26 mark. Sens go back to the power play.

Penguins kill off another penalty.

\Goal:\ Rickard Rakell gets one back for the Penguins with 15:01 left in the second period.

\Penalty:\ Erik Brannstrom get called for hooking Rickard Rakell at the 14:42 mark.

Sens kill off the penalty and keep the lead.

\Goal:\ Erik Brannstrom shoots one in coming off his 2 minute minor. Sens are up 4-2 with 12:30 left of the second period.

Penguins try challenging the goal offside but come back unsuccessful.

\Penalty:\ Jansen Harkins serves the 2 minute minor for delaying the game. Sens go back on the power play.

\Penalty:\ Erik Brannstrom goes back to the box for interference at the 4:48 mark of the period.

Sens kill off another penalty to keep the game 4-2.

\Goal:\ Drew O'Connor gets one in early for the Penguins with 18:09 left to play.

\Penalty:\ Travis Hamonic gets sent to the box for cross-checking Evgeni Malkin. Sens are back on the penalty kill.

Forsberg make some incredible saves to keep the sens up one.

\Goal:\ Kris Letang ties it with 2:26 left to play.

The game is headed into overtime.

\Goal:\ Tim Stützle scores the game winning goal in overtime to take the win.

Senators win 5-4 in overtime!

Watch the full recap here: