Tim Stützle Extends Goal Streak to Five Games With Lightning-Quick Overtime Winner as Senators Down Flyers 2-1 Before Olympic Break

Tim Stützle continued his remarkable late-season surge with a spectacular overtime winner, scoring just 47 seconds into the extra frame to lift the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night. The German star raced past Travis Sanheim before deking goaltender Dan Vladar with a silky backhand move, securing the win in his team's final game before the NHL's Olympic break. The goal marked Stützle's fifth consecutive game with a tally, making him one of the hottest players on the planet heading into the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

The 24-year-old center has been nothing short of spectacular during this stretch, elevating his season goal total to 28 in what has been a career year for the former third overall pick. Remarkably, none of Stützle's Senators teammates have reached the 20-goal mark this season, underscoring just how crucial his production has been to Ottawa's playoff push. His overtime heroics on Wednesday marked his second game-winner in Philadelphia this season, continuing a pattern of clutch performances in the City of Brotherly Love. Stützle's ability to deliver in high-pressure moments has drawn praise from coaches and teammates alike, with many pointing to his maturation as a complete two-way player.

The Senators entered the third period tied 1-1 in a tightly contested defensive battle that saw both goaltenders stand tall throughout regulation. Ottawa managed just 24 shots on goal through 60 minutes, but Stützle's quality over quantity approach in overtime proved decisive. After winning the opening faceoff of the extra period, the Senators quickly transitioned up ice, with Stützle using his elite skating ability to gain separation from the Flyers' defense. His composure on the breakaway showcased the confidence of a player who has found another gear at precisely the right time in the season.

For Philadelphia, the loss was a frustrating conclusion to their pre-Olympic schedule, as they saw a potential point slip away in the dying seconds of overtime. The Flyers had matched Ottawa's intensity throughout the game, with Vladar making 22 saves to keep his team competitive. However, Stützle's individual brilliance proved to be the difference-maker. The defeat leaves Philadelphia in a precarious playoff position as the league enters its three-week Olympic hiatus, sitting just outside the Eastern Conference's wild card spots with 25 games remaining in the regular season.

Stützle's torrid pace heading into the Olympics has made him one of the most anticipated players to watch in Milano Cortina, where he'll represent Germany in their quest for a medal. His current form suggests he could be a difference-maker on the international stage, particularly with the added motivation of competing on European ice. The Senators will hope their young star returns from Italy healthy and maintains this elite level of play as they push for their first playoff appearance since 2023. With 25 games left after the Olympic break, Ottawa sits firmly in the playoff picture, thanks in large part to Stützle's offensive explosion.

The NHL now enters its official Olympic break, with play resuming on February 25 following the conclusion of the men's ice hockey tournament in Italy. For Stützle and the Senators, Wednesday's victory provides the perfect send-off into the break, keeping their momentum alive and giving fans plenty of reason for optimism about the season's final stretch. As one of just a handful of NHL players to score in five consecutive games this season, Stützle has firmly established himself among the league's elite forwards and will look to carry that dominance onto hockey's biggest stage.