Cutter Gauthier Hat Trick Leads Ducks' Comeback Win Over Senators

Gauthier Hat Trick Powers Ducks Past Senators in 6-3 Comeback

Cutter Gauthier notched his second career hat trick on Sunday night, scoring the go-ahead goal early in the third period as the Anaheim Ducks erased a three-goal deficit to defeat the Ottawa Senators 6-3. The victory marked the second win in nine games for Anaheim, fueled heavily by a dominant special teams performance that saw the Ducks convert four of their five power-play opportunities.

Cutter Gauthier scores a hat trick as Ducks rally to defeat Senators https://t.co/20ILzre55p

— https://x.com/latimessports/status/2117106770686640597

The match turned decisively in the final frame after Anaheim clawed back to tie the game 3-3 during the second period. At 1:50 of the third, Gauthier broke the deadlock on a two-man advantage, beating Jonas Johansson from a sharp angle. Just 36 seconds later, still operating with a man advantage, Gauthier struck again to secure a two-goal cushion, effectively putting the game out of reach for Ottawa.

Special Teams Discrepancy Defines the Matchup

Senators head coach Travis Green pointed directly to special teams as the greatest issue his team faced. Green stated post-game that special teams played a big part in the game, adding that he liked a lot of the team’s game and would be really happy with the performance if the special teams were removed.

Cutter Gauthier Hat Trick Leads Ducks' Comeback Win Over Senators — Photo: Yahoo

Senators captain Thomas Chabot echoed his coach’s assessment, reiterating his coaches’ concerns about the matchup.

“I thought five-on-five was not bad to be honest. We started great,” Chabot said. “Not a good second. And then, I mean — special teams.”

Chabot added that sometimes when a team starts taking a few penalties, some of the players do not get to touch the ice for a while, making it hard to get back involved once the game returns to five-on-five even though it creates a little momentum. Calling it a very disappointing loss, Chabot stated that they have to turn the page and make sure they are ready for the next one.

Roster Shuffling and Upcoming Schedules

The Anaheim lineup featured notable contributions across the box score alongside Gauthier’s three-goal night. Judd Caulfield scored twice, rookie Roger McQueen added a goal, and Leo Carlsson tallied three assists. Claude Giroux recorded a goal and an assist for Ottawa. In goal, Laurent Brossoit stopped 20 shots in his Anaheim debut. Brossoit was playing his second NHL game in three seasons after being recalled from San Diego of the AHL on Saturday, while Jonas Johansson made 27 saves for Ottawa.

With the contest concluded, both clubs face immediate turnarounds. The Ottawa Senators travel to face the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night, while the Anaheim Ducks visit the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday.

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