Senators Triumph Over Bruins
The Ottawa Senators managed to reassert themselves in front of their home crowd on Thursday night, defeating the Boston Bruins 5-3 at the Canadian Tire Centre. This victory not only halted the Bruins’ impressive seven-game winning streak but also marked a significant achievement for the Senators, who now stand with a record of 9-5-4. This positions them in a three-way tie for the top of the Atlantic Division alongside Boston and Montreal, although Montreal currently maintains a slight edge due to having played one fewer game.
Game Highlights
The Senators initially found themselves in a promising position, taking a 2-0 lead in the first period thanks to an early power play goal from Claude Giroux, who was beautifully set up by Tim Stützle’s cross-ice pass. Shortly after, Dylan Cozens extended the lead with a powerful one-timer off a setup from Fabian Zetterlund, taking advantage of a physical play behind the Boston net.
Despite their strong start, the Senators faced a challenge when the Bruins regrouped. Morgan Geekie scored in the second period, narrowing the gap to 2-1. In the third period, Shane Pinto, who just signed a four-year contract extension earlier that day, regained some breathing room for Ottawa by scoring his ninth goal of the season.
However, the Bruins quickly responded after a controversial offside call negated David Pastrnak‘s potential goal from the power play. Following that play, Pastrnak managed to score and bring the score to 3-2. A flurry of action ensued as former Senator Mark Kastelic tied the game shortly after, setting the stage for Stützle’s late-game heroics.
With just under six minutes remaining, Stützle reclaimed the lead for Ottawa with a precise wrist shot, courtesy of another skilled assist from Drake Batherson. He subsequently sealed the game with an empty-net goal, despite a previous near-miss where he hit the post.
Injury Concerns
This game, however, brought complications for the Senators as they suffered additional injuries on the defensive front. Already missing Thomas Chabot, Jake Sanderson played through discomfort after blocking a shot, and Nick Jensen left the game and did not return after suffering an injury. With the next game against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, head coach Travis Green has not provided an update on Jensen’s condition, leaving the team’s defensive lineup uncertain. In light of these injury challenges, top prospect Carter Yakemchuk might get an opportunity to step up.
Looking Ahead
The Senators remain in a strong position, having lost only once in regulation over their past twelve outings. However, their upcoming schedule is unconventional, with only one game before they head out on a lengthy seven-game road tour. This makes Saturday’s match crucial, not just for standings but also for maintaining momentum before their travels begin.
– Steve Warne, The Hockey News/Ottawa
