Ottawa Senators Triumph Over New Jersey Devils
In a thrilling Saturday night matchup, the Ottawa Senators triumphed over the New Jersey Devils with a score of 4-1, marking their impressive third consecutive victory. Linus Ullmark made a commendable return to the crease, making 26 crucial saves to aid in the win.
Tyler Kleven’s Record-Breaking Slapshot
However, the spotlight also shone brightly on Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven, who achieved a significant feat during the game. Kleven unleashed the season’s hardest slapshot in the NHL, recorded at an astonishing 103.51 miles per hour. This remarkable shot not only surpassed the previous record set by Boston’s Morgan Geekie, whose shot was clocked at 103.03 mph, but also outperformed New York Islanders’ Ryan Pulock’s 103.01 mph shot, both of which occurred earlier in November.
In addition to his shot power, Kleven’s performance stood out as he hammered the puck significantly harder than any of his previous efforts this season, with this particular shot exceeding his earlier attempts by over eight miles per hour. His strong performance has him currently tied for 10th among NHL defensemen, with 20 recorded shots hitting over 90 mph.
Kleven’s Growth and Future Challenges
Kleven, now in his second season, has also shown growth in his overall game, matching his rookie season total of 10 points in just 49 games while increasing his average ice time from 14:28 to 16:46.
As they move forward, Kleven and the Senators will look to build on their success when they head to Pittsburgh on Monday. This game will mark the start of a grueling stretch where Ottawa plays eight of their next nine contests away from home.
Strategic Considerations for the Senators
Steve Warne, a contributor to The Hockey News, has also shed light on the Senators’ strategy regarding player Nick Cousins and whether he should be re-signed as they navigate their playoff ambitions this season.
For more on recent performances and additional analysis, readers can visit The Hockey News Ottawa.
