Stamkos Hat Trick Fuels Predators’ Comeback Win Over Senators

Nashville scores five straight to hand Ottawa first regulation loss in six games

Steven Stamkos put on a show for the ages, notching a hat trick as the Nashville Predators clawed their way back from a 3-0 hole to stun the Ottawa Senators 5-3 on January 22, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena. Talk about flipping the script—this win snapped Ottawa’s five-game point streak and left the home crowd buzzing. The performance echoed another recent star-led night in the league, highlighted by a McDavid hat trick that powered Edmonton to a statement win.

Ottawa came out of the gates like a house on fire. Stephen Halliday wasted no time, lighting the lamp with his first NHL goal just over six minutes into the first period. Ridly Greig piled on late in the first, and by the time Brady Tkachuk made it 3-0 midway through the second, it looked like the Senators were writing their own fairy tale. But hockey, as they say, is a game of momentum swings. Nashville’s comeback started brewing late in the second when Stamkos cashed in on the power play. Early in the third, Jonathan Marchessault chipped away at the deficit, making it 3-2. Then, with the crowd holding its breath, Stamkos tied things up with another power-play snipe.

With just over a minute left in regulation—and nerves jangling in the stands—Stamkos completed his hat trick, batting in a Ryan O’Reilly pass like he was swatting a pesky fly. O’Reilly, by the way, was dishing out helpers like a generous neighbor, finishing with three assists. Cole Smith put the cherry on top with an empty-netter in the dying seconds. In net, Juuse Saros stood tall for Nashville with 23 saves, while James Reimer turned aside 21 shots for Ottawa. Several of the night’s standout names are also in the spotlight as NHL stars prepare for their long-awaited Olympic return. Luke Evangelista chipped in two assists for the Preds, and Jake Sanderson matched that with a pair for the Senators.

After the dust settled, Stamkos called the comeback “massive”—and you could practically hear the relief in his voice. He talked about the team’s laser focus on avoiding back-to-back losses and the need to play with urgency. Senators coach Travis Green didn’t sugarcoat things, admitting his squad “didn’t play well enough to win for 60 minutes,” pointing to costly penalties and a rollercoaster of inconsistency. Halliday, still beaming from his milestone goal, gave a nod to his linemates for setting the table. Dylan Cozens summed up the mood in the Ottawa room: the loss stung, but it’s time to keep their chins up and move forward.

Jonathan Marchessault, who’s been battling through injuries this season, said he felt more like himself out there and is laser-focused on getting back to full strength. Predators captain Roman Josi called the comeback “obviously special” and tipped his hat to the team’s resilience—proof that this group doesn’t fold when the going gets tough. Around the league, front offices are balancing results like this against roster realities, including Edmonton’s ongoing Oilers cap dilemma.

Nashville’s rally wasn’t just a win—it was a statement, a showcase of grit and determination. As for Ottawa, they’ll be looking to patch up the leaks and bounce back after letting a golden opportunity slip through their fingers.