Tag: Ottawa Senators

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Ottawa Senators Secure Land at LeBreton Flats for Centrally Located Arena and Community Hub

Ottawa Senators Secure Land at LeBreton Flats for Centrally Located Arena and Community Hub
Ottawa Senators Secure Land at LeBreton Flats for Centrally Located Arena and Community Hub

The Ottawa Senators have taken a major step toward relocating to a more central arena, announcing on Monday an agreement with the National Capital Commission (NCC) to purchase 11 acres at LeBreton Flats. Located just west of Parliament Hill, the site positions the team closer to Ottawa’s core, in contrast to their current facility in Kanata, roughly 15 miles away. The deal solidifies plans first revealed last September for a multipurpose facility featuring a hockey rink.

New Ottawa Arena to Serve as Multifunctional Community Hub with Extensive Preparations Ahead

The envisioned arena is set to be more than just a sports venue. Senators president and CEO Cyril Leeder expressed that it will be a community event centre, designed for both hockey games and other large-scale events. While financial details remain undisclosed, Leeder emphasized that the project still faces hurdles, including collaboration with the NCC and other partners to realize the shared vision for the space.

Ottawa Senators Secure Land at LeBreton Flats for Centrally Located Arena and Community Hub
Ottawa Senators Secure Land at LeBreton Flats for Centrally Located Arena and Community Hub

With the land acquisition agreement finalized, the team can proceed with crucial development tasks. These include securing zoning approvals, finalizing the arena design, and obtaining necessary permits. An important part of the early process will also involve environmental cleanup to prepare the land for safe construction.

LeBreton Flats Redevelopment to Transform Downtown with Housing, Retail, and Event Centre

Beyond the arena, the NCC plans to incorporate over 2,000 housing units into the LeBreton Flats redevelopment. The area will also see new retail, hospitality, and dining spaces, including hotels and restaurants. NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum highlighted that the arena and surrounding amenities will inject vitality into the downtown area and act as a driving force for the site’s long-term growth.

This marks the Senators’ second attempt to secure a project at LeBreton Flats. A previous deal in 2019, led by former owner Eugene Melnyk, collapsed after disputes between Melnyk and partner John Ruddy. The current agreement represents a new opportunity for the franchise to finally establish a modern, centrally located home in Ottawa’s downtown.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Dallas Stars Fans Angry at Mark Stone Over Miro Heiskanen Injury

Dallas Stars Fans Angry at Mark Stone Over Miro Heiskanen Injury

Ottawa Senators fans remember Mark Stone not just for his 366 games with the team, but also for being a great person. Now playing for the Vegas Golden Knights, Stone has always been known for playing fairly, staying out of trouble, and mentoring young players like Brady Tkachuk.

So, it was surprising to see Stone’s name trending on social media on Wednesday with people calling him “dirty.”

During a game between the Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night, Miro Heiskanen had to be helped off the ice after Stone accidentally collided with his knee while rushing up the ice. Fans reacted strongly to the incident online.

However, it wasn’t a dirty play, and there’s a simple explanation for what happened. Stone was tripped.

As Stone was trying to reach for the puck, Stars forward Roope Hintz attempted to block Stone’s path. Hintz’s skate blade made contact with Stone’s skate, causing him to lose his balance as he tried to make a move.

A better angle of the incident shows that Stone’s head was dangerously close to the collision, which no player would intentionally do.

It’s worth noting that Stone has only received six penalty minutes this season.

“I really hope (Heiskanen) is all right,” Stone said after the game. “But yeah, I was just trying to make a play and got tripped into him. I hope the outcome is good, but I think there was really no intent there.

Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)

“Obviously, I was just trying to make a play on the puck, and their guy (Hintz) kind of tripped me into him headfirst. I’d never dive headfirst into a guy.”

The incident, injury, and the resulting argument only add to the rivalry between the Golden Knights and the Stars, which has grown over the past five years with three playoff meetings, including two Western Conference Finals.

For Dallas fans, the idea of this being a “dirty” play is frustrating, especially since it injured their top defenseman. However, it was just an accident.

For a reminder of what a truly “dirty” play looks like in hockey, Stars captain Jamie Benn set the standard when he cross-checked Stone in the face with his full body weight in May 2023.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Senators Stage Epic Comeback to Beat Bruins 6-5 in Shootout with Timely Goals and Stutzle’s Winner

Ottawa Senators vs Boston Bruins
Ottawa Senators vs Boston Bruins (NHL)

The Ottawa Senators delivered an unforgettable performance, rallying to defeat the Boston Bruins 6-5 in a shootout at Canadian Tire Centre. In a game brimming with playoff-like intensity, Nick Jensen and Josh Norris scored late third-period goals with the goalie pulled to erase a two-goal deficit. The Senators capped off the electrifying comeback with Tim Stutzle’s decisive goal in the shootout. “Probably the greatest comeback I’ve ever been a part of,” said Ottawa goalie Leevi Merilainen, who made 23 saves. His statement encapsulated the high emotions and thrilling energy that defined the contest.

Key Contributions Fuel Senators’ Resilience

Ottawa demonstrated remarkable resilience as contributions came from all corners of their roster. Norris, who netted two goals, tied the game with just 12 seconds left, capitalizing on a well-placed pass from Claude Giroux. “It was a lot of fun; the crowd was great,” Norris said, praising his teammates and the electrifying atmosphere. Stutzle, who added a goal and an assist, continued his pivotal role by scoring the only goal in the shootout. Ottawa’s fourth consecutive win showcased their determination and ability to perform under pressure, a sentiment echoed by coach Travis Green, who highlighted the valuable lessons his team is learning as the season progresses.

Ottawa Senators vs Boston Bruins
Ottawa Senators vs Boston Bruins (NHL)

Despite valiant efforts, the Bruins fell short for the seventh time in nine games. David Pastrnak led Boston’s offense with a goal and two assists, continuing his streak of three-point performances. Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie also contributed with multi-point games, while goalie Jeremy Swayman made an impressive 39 saves. However, Boston’s defensive lapses during Ottawa’s 6-on-5 attack proved costly. “We have to do a better job,” said interim coach Joe Sacco, lamenting the team’s inability to protect their lead. Pastrnak added that the Bruins relied too heavily on their goalie and needed to block more shots, conceding they “didn’t deserve to win.”

Momentum Shifts Define the Battle

The game was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts. Ottawa started strong, with Adam Gaudette and Stutzle giving them a 2-0 lead in the first period. Boston responded with a surge, tying the game through goals from Zacha and Pastrnak. The second period saw Boston take a 3-2 lead thanks to Geekie, but Norris quickly evened the score with a power-play goal. In the third period, Boston appeared to pull away after goals from John Beecher and Vinni Lettieri, but Ottawa’s late surge rewrote the narrative. Each twist heightened the intensity, making the outcome all the more dramatic.

The Senators’ victory not only boosted their confidence but also gave fans a glimpse of their potential in high-stakes games. “It felt like a playoff game,” said captain Brady Tkachuk, emphasizing the energy and importance of the match. Meanwhile, the Bruins face mounting pressure to address their defensive shortcomings and regain consistency. Both teams have significant challenges ahead, with Ottawa aiming to sustain their momentum and Boston striving to rectify their struggles. As the season progresses, this game will stand out as a defining moment of determination, resilience, and thrilling hockey.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

In Ottawa, the Senators scored twice in the final minutes to rally past the Bruins 6-5 in a shootout

Stützle, Merilainen help Senators to shootout win vs. Bruins

The Ottawa Senators pulled off an incredible comeback to beat the Boston Bruins 6-5 in a shootout at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday. The win was highlighted by two late goals with the goalie pulled for an extra skater, one by Nick Jensen and another by Josh Norris.

A Historic Comeback

“Probably the greatest comeback I’ve ever been a part of,” said Ottawa goalie Leevi Merilainen. “Such a crazy game. High emotions. Felt like a playoff game for the most part.”

Jensen scored a snap shot from the right face-off circle at 16:47 to bring the Senators within one goal, 5-4. Boston’s coach Joe Sacco admitted that his team needed to improve their defense when leading with six players on the ice, saying, “We just have to be better defending that lead when it’s 6-on-5.”

Then, with just 12 seconds remaining, Norris tied the game at 5-5 with a one-timed shot from Claude Giroux’s pass.

Norris Reflects on the Goal

“I was so out of breath, I was dying,” Norris said. “‘G’ put it on a platter for me. Just a great play, man, great play. … It was a lot of fun; the crowd was great. Just a couple crazy momentum swings and, yeah, proud of the guys. We hung in there. Man, that was a hard game.”

Shootout Heroics

In the shootout, Tim Stutzle scored the winning goal, and Norris, who had already scored twice in regulation, contributed with a goal and an assist.

Norris knots the game at 5 with 12 seconds left

Merilainen made 23 saves for the Senators (23-18-4), who are now 4-0-1 in their last five games. Ottawa coach Travis Green praised the victory, saying, “Big character win. But we’re going to learn a lot of lessons as we go down the stretch.”

Bruins’ Struggles

David Pastrnak led the Bruins (22-19-6) with a goal and two assists, while Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie each had a goal and an assist. Jeremy Swayman made 39 saves in goal for Boston, but the team lost for the seventh time in their last nine games (2-5-2). Coach Sacco acknowledged that the team needed to limit scoring chances: “‘Sway’ was in there tonight and he gave us a chance to win again. We have to cut down on certain scoring opportunities to help him out.”

Scoring Breakdown

The Senators took a 1-0 lead early in the first period when Adam Gaudette scored at 1:47. Stutzle added another goal to make it 2-0 at 7:35. The Bruins responded with Zacha’s power-play goal at 11:07 to cut the lead to 2-1, and Pastrnak tied the game 2-2 with a wrist shot at 19:22.

In the second period, Geekie scored for Boston to give them a 3-2 lead at 1:06. Norris quickly responded with a power-play goal to make it 3-3. Later, a shot from John Beecher gave Boston a 4-3 lead, but Vinni Lettieri extended Boston’s lead to 5-3 in the third period.

Tkachuk Compares Game to Playoff Atmosphere

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk reflected on the game’s intensity, saying, “I’ve never played a playoff game before, but I feel like that emulated it pretty solid tonight. There’s been some pretty awesome atmospheres, but I don’t know, this one just felt different. It felt like a preview of what’s to come.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

“NHL Trade Rumor Update: Fresh Buzz on the Canadiens and Senators, from Montreal to Ottawa”

Montreal Canadiens players celebrate a goal

The Montreal Canadiens have been climbing up the Eastern Conference standings recently, fighting for a wild-card spot. A month ago, when they were near the bottom of the standings, many believed GM Kent Hughes would once again be a seller at the trade deadline.

However, Stu Cowan from The Montreal Gazette suggests that Hughes might take a different approach and act as both a buyer and a seller by the March 7 deadline.

Cowan thinks Hughes could consider trading players who are about to become unrestricted free agents, like David Savard, Jake Evans, Joel Armia, and Christian Dvorak. Instead of asking for draft picks and prospects in exchange, Hughes could seek players who can immediately help the Canadiens in their playoff push.

Hughes is likely to avoid acquiring players with expiring contracts unless they are willing to sign extensions. He would probably prefer roster players who still have at least a year left on their contracts.

Regarding Evans, Karine Hains from The Hockey News mentioned there are mixed reports about his future with the Canadiens. Marco D’Amico from RG.Org shared information from sources suggesting that Evans’ good performance in his contract year could make him too expensive for Montreal.

One source told D’Amico that they didn’t think a three- or four-year deal worth $3 million per season was possible for Evans. Another source felt they couldn’t afford to pay a fourth-line center upwards of $3.5 million long-term if they wanted to stay competitive.

However, Renaud Lavoie from TVA Sports believes that Evans and the Canadiens will reach an agreement. A source told Lavoie that Evans wants to stay in Montreal, and the Canadiens are eager to keep him. With the salary cap expected to rise to $100 million in two years, it wouldn’t be a big issue if Evans got an extra $1.5 million per year on top of his current $1.7 million salary.

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Hains mentioned that Evans plays an important role for the Canadiens, and given that Montreal is still in the playoff race, trading him wouldn’t send the right message to the players.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators have struggled since their starting goalie, Linus Ullmark, was injured on December 22. They’ve lost five of their last six games and have fallen out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

There is no clear timeline for Ullmark’s return, as he’s listed as “week-to-week.” In the meantime, the Senators have been relying on backup Anton Forsberg and third-stringer Leevi Merilainen.

A report from Postmedia suggested that the Senators should look for a new goalie, but the options are limited. Potential targets include John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks, Cayden Primeau from the Canadiens, and James Reimer from the Buffalo Sabres.

Gibson is considered the best option, but his $6.4 million cap hit through 2026-27 makes him a more expensive choice. Additionally, Gibson has a 10-team no-trade clause, which may include the Senators.

Adam Proteau from The Hockey News believes that Karel Vejmelka from the Utah Hockey Club or Jake Allen from the New Jersey Devils would be ideal targets, but neither of them is currently available.

If the Senators decided to pursue Vitek Vanecek or Alexandar Georgiev from the San Jose Sharks, they might need to move Forsberg. Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames are holding on to Dan Vladar to avoid overworking promising goalie Dustin Wolf.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Igor Shesterkin Records 40 Saves in Rangers’ 2-1 Victory over Senators in New York

Igor Shesterkin makes a save in the 1st period

Igor Shesterkin made 40 saves, Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and an assist, and the New York Rangers won 2-1 against the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden on Friday.

This was the second consecutive game where Shesterkin made 40+ saves, as he had 41 saves in a 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. It was the first time since February 2020 that he had back-to-back games with at least 40 saves during his rookie season. He made 21 saves in the first two periods and stopped 19 of 20 shots in the third.

“I’m running out of things to say; just spectacular,” said Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller. “I mean, everybody is sitting there on the bench just praying that he somehow makes another one of those saves. He just keeps doing it. Obviously, we’d like to clean up our defense a little bit, but we love who we’ve got back there.”

Artemi Panarin scored his seventh goal of the season for the Rangers (7-2-1), who had lost two of their past three games.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox react as Buffalo Sabres’ Jordan Greenway celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period

“We know we can play better,” Lafreniere said. “‘Shesty’ was unreal again. He made some massive saves for us, and I don’t think we were that good defensively. We get two points, but we all know we can play better, for sure.”

Adam Gaudette scored for Ottawa, and Linus Ullmark made 16 saves for the Senators (5-5-0), who lost for the third time in four games. Ottawa outshot New York 41-18.

“I don’t really know what to say, their goalie played unbelievable,” said Senators forward Tim Stutzle. “We knew he was a great goalie and obviously we’ve got to find a way to get more behind him, but you’ve got to give him credit. He’s a great goalie and he kept them in the game. If you outshoot a team like that by 20 shots, you know you played a pretty good game.”

Panarin gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 3:03 of the first period. Lafreniere forced a turnover from Josh Norris in Ottawa’s defensive zone, and Panarin took the puck, using Travis Hamonic as a screen to get his wrist shot past Ullmark.

“Just coming back trying to strip him, I got a stick on it and went right to ‘Bread,'” Lafreniere said. “It was a nice shot. Every time he gets it in that area, in the slot, he’s so dangerous. That was a good goal by him.”

Shesterkin kept the Rangers ahead with a blocker save on Norris at 7:56 of the first period and also stopped Claude Giroux with his glove on a point-blank shot from the left circle at 17:10 of the second period. These were two of his 21 saves in the first 40 minutes.

“First period, I like the way we came out,” said Ottawa coach Travis Green. “They got the quick goal, but I like that it didn’t faze us. I thought we got better as the game went on. Loved our second and I thought we left it out there in the third.”

Lafreniere made it 2-0 for the Rangers at 2:56 of the third period, scoring a power-play goal off a pass that deflected off his foot. Reilly Smith passed the puck through his legs to Filip Chytil in the right circle, and Chytil found Lafreniere in the slot after he came around the far post.

Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators

Shesterkin kept his shutout intact with three saves in a two-second span, stopping Brady Tkachuk and two shots from Norris during a Senators power play midway through the third period.

“Those saves on the power play, that was crazy,” Lafreniere said. Gaudette finally got one past Shesterkin at 12:28 to make it 2-1. He scored with a one-timer from the left circle off a hard pass from Tkachuk across the slot.

Shesterkin stopped the final eight shots he faced, with Ottawa outshooting New York 20-5 in the third.

“I thought we played an unreal game,” said Senators forward Michael Amadio. “We just ran into a hot goalie.” Shesterkin’s save percentage is now .931, with 18 goals allowed on 262 shots in eight games. He started the game with a .923 save percentage.

“He’s the best goalie in the League and we’re lucky to have him,” Lafreniere said. “But we don’t want to give him that much work.”

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Brandon Saad’s Hat Trick Leads St. Louis Blues to 4-0 Win Against Ottawa Senators

Brandon Saad is congratulated by teammates after scoring his third goal for a hat trick

On Friday, the St. Louis Blues defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-0, with Brandon Saad shining in the game. He scored his first-ever natural hat trick, marking his first hat trick as a Blues player.

Saad’s first goal came from a breakaway, putting the Blues ahead 2-0. Ottawa attempted a pass to defenseman Nick Jensen at the blue line, but it missed. Saad chased the puck, beat Jensen to it, and then scored through the legs of Ottawa’s goalie Anton Forsberg.

His second goal was also a five-hole shot. On a fast break, his teammates Pavel Buchnevich and Robert Thomas helped move the puck out of the defensive zone. Buchnevich passed to Saad, who scored again through Forsberg.

To complete the hat trick, Saad took the puck from his own zone and skated up the ice. He found himself in a 2-on-1 situation with Alexandre Texier on his right. Texier pointed to the net, and Saad shot it under the crossbar, causing the crowd to throw hats onto the ice.

Before this game, Saad hadn’t scored in 19 games, with his last goal coming on Nov. 14 against the Buffalo Sabres, when he scored twice.

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

At 32 years old, Saad became the 12th player this season to score a natural hat trick. The last player to do so was Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 27, when he had a hat trick in a 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Recently, Saad had been mentioned in trade rumors for the Blues. Even though he struggled to score earlier in the season, his hat trick could draw more interest from other team managers.

Saad, from Pittsburgh, signed a five-year contract with the Blues in 2021. He has a $4.5-million salary cap hit and one year left on his contract after this season. He also has a no-trade clause for this year. However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Saad would be willing to consider being traded if the opportunity arises.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Blues look to bounce back from heavy loss to Senators in St. Louis

St. Louis Blues (NHL)

The Blues remember their last matchup with the Senators, when they were defeated 8-1 in Ottawa on October 29. When the teams meet again on Friday night in St. Louis, the Blues are looking for revenge.

In that October game, Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle had two goals and two assists, while Brady Tkachuk, who grew up in the St. Louis area, also scored twice. This loss was one of several blowouts that led to Blues general manager Doug Armstrong replacing coach Drew Bannister with Jim Montgomery on November 24.

Under Montgomery, the Blues have a record of 9-5-3 and have won three of their last four games after a 1-3-2 slump.

“For our group right now, we’ve got to start pushing,” Montgomery said. “We’ve got a lot of games at home in January and February. If we want to make a run at the playoffs, our consistency and our belief in our identity has to start showing game-in and game-out.”

After a 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in the Winter Classic on New Year’s Eve at Wrigley Field, the Blues had some extra time to prepare for their back-to-back games against Ottawa on Friday and at Columbus on Saturday.

“Obviously everyone getting back to St. Louis and getting everyone’s families back home and then a good practice day today kind of resets you a little bit,” said Blues forward Jake Neighbours on Thursday.

“(The Winter Classic) was an emotional high and an amazing event, something we’re all excited and honored to be a part of. But it’s back to normal now, normal games and try and build off the win we had.”

The Blues have scored 19 goals in their last four games, with increased offensive help from their defensemen. Cam Fowler, who joined the Blues in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks in mid-December, has three goals and three assists during this stretch.

Justin Faulk had a three-point game against Chicago, scoring his first goal in 35 games. He missed practice on Thursday for a “maintenance day,” but there’s a good chance he will play on Friday.

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

The Senators, on the other hand, entered their Christmas break after a four-game road trip. They started a five-game road trip right after the break and haven’t played a home game since December 14.

After a strong 9-3-1 record in December, the Senators started the new year with a 4-2 loss to Dallas on Thursday. The Stars scored three unanswered goals from the middle of the second period onward.

“Second half was embarrassing,” said Tkachuk. “Embarrassing hockey. Just unacceptable. … Thank God we play (Friday), move on from this one quicker. A lot of lessons to be learned from this game.”

Tkachuk had a goal and an assist, bringing his total to four points in his last three games after only four points in his previous nine games.

Defenseman Artem Zub returned to the Senators lineup on Thursday after missing over five weeks due to a broken foot.

“It’s great to have him back,” said Senators coach Travis Green. “You feel for a guy if he’s out, he’s injured. He’s a big part of our team.”

Ottawa goaltender Anton Forsberg was available as a backup on Thursday after missing the previous seven games with an undisclosed injury. Forsberg, who has a 4-6-0 record with a 2.95 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage, could be in line to start against the Blues.

Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark, who won the game against the Blues earlier this season, remains out due to a back injury.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Roope Hintz leads Stars to a 4-2 win over the Senators in Dallas

Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators

Roope Hintz scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the second period, and the Dallas Stars defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Thursday night, securing their third consecutive win.

With Dallas down 2-1, Jamie Benn and Hintz scored within 1:08 in the second period. Jake Oettinger made 11 saves, and the Stars’ defense was strong, allowing just two shots in the third period and only 13 shots in total.

Matt Duchene added a goal in the third period to help seal the win. He also had an assist, while Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnson each recorded two assists. Dallas extended their unbeaten run to 4-0-1 in their last five games.

Brady Tkachuk scored and assisted on Ridly Greig’s goal for Ottawa, who were limited to their second-lowest shot total of the season. Leevi Merilainen stopped 21 shots in goal for Ottawa, which went 0-for-4 on the power play and started the new year with a loss after a strong December (9-3-1).

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Dallas started strong, getting a power-play goal just 4:39 into the game. Robertson sent the puck toward the net, where Hintz redirected it past Merilainen.

Ottawa responded quickly, scoring twice in 24 seconds. First, Tkachuk scored off a faceoff win, and then he stole the puck behind the net, setting up Greig for a goal.

Dallas tied the game in the second period when Benn’s shot deflected off Ottawa defenseman Travis Hamonic and past Merilainen. Hintz then scored after a turnover by Ottawa in their own zone, giving Dallas a 3-2 lead.

Oettinger denied a breakaway attempt from Shane Pinto early in the third period. Duchene’s snap shot with 6:23 left added an insurance goal for the Stars.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Senators face Stars, aiming to repeat past success in the new year

Ottawa Senators (NHL)

The Ottawa Senators are hoping their strong performance at the end of 2024 will continue into the new year, while the Dallas Stars are aiming for a more consistent stretch of wins.

The Senators, who are currently holding the last wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, are looking to prevent the Stars from winning their third straight game on Thursday night.

Ottawa has been playing well, with 11 wins in their last 16 games, including a 9-3-1 record in December. They are coming off a 3-1 win over Minnesota on Sunday.

“We just have to keep building on what we’re doing right now,” said Ottawa forward Claude Giroux, who has two goals and four assists in the last seven games. “We’re not forcing anything, not playing high-risk hockey. We’re just trying to find ways to win games.”

Ottawa has been performing well on the road this season, with a record of 9-9-1. They have already won four of their first six games on their current nine-game road trip.

“We have a group that really cares about one another,” said Senators defenseman Travis Hamonic. “It’s all been nice and it’s been great, but for us, it’s about moving forward.”

Ottawa’s next challenge is against the Stars, who have been inconsistent this season. Their longest winning streak was four games at the start of the season, but Dallas is currently on a 3-0-1 run, coming off a 4-2 win over Buffalo on Tuesday.

Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars (NHL)

Jason Robertson had a goal and two assists in the victory, while Wyatt Johnston’s third-period goal broke a 2-2 tie and helped Dallas improve to 14-5-1 at home.

“We just kept pushing and pushing,” said Robertson, who has five points in the last two games. He finished December with three goals and eight assists in eight games.

Dallas’ Casey DeSmith made 21 saves on Tuesday, allowing only five goals in his last three starts. However, Jake Oettinger could return to the net, having stopped 24 of 25 shots in a win against Chicago last Friday.

Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark, who had a strong December, remains out with a back injury he suffered on Dec. 22. Leevi Merilainen made 30 saves in the win over Minnesota and is now 2-1-0 this season. Veteran Anton Forsberg could return from a lower-body injury, and Mads Sogaard has also been an option in goal.

Ottawa might also get key defenseman Artem Zub back from a foot injury that has kept him sidelined since Nov. 23.

Johnston, meanwhile, has been in strong form for the Stars, scoring in three straight games and recording eight points in their last seven games.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights

Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights
Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights

The Edmonton Oilers continued their strong run with a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators, moving into second place in the Pacific Division. Zach Hyman extended his career-high goal streak to six games, scoring the go-ahead goal in the second period. Stuart Skinner made 20 saves, helping Edmonton secure its 11th win in 13 games and surpass the Los Angeles Kings in the standings, trailing the Vegas Golden Knights by three points. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s six-game winning streak, their longest since 2017, came to an end.

In other NHL action, Washington Capitals’ Aliaksei Protas scored twice in a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Jakub Vrana provided the game-winning goal, while Logan Thompson made 25 saves as the Capitals improved their record to 10-2-1 in their last 13 games. Kevin Fiala scored the lone goal for the Kings, who have now lost back-to-back games for the first time since mid-November.

Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights
Edmonton Oilers Beat Senators 3-1, Move to Second in Division Amid NHL Action Highlights

The Colorado Avalanche saw Joel Kiviranta achieve his first career hat trick in a 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. Cale Makar contributed with a goal and two assists, and Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen each added two assists. Colorado has now won three consecutive games and four of their last five, while Seattle’s Jared McCann and Kaapo Kakko found the net in the loss.

The Carolina Hurricanes ended a five-game road losing streak by defeating the New York Rangers 3-1. Jack Roslovic scored the decisive goal on a power play in the second period after a high-sticking penalty drew blood. Carolina’s Pyotr Kochetkov excelled with 22 saves and two assists. The Rangers have struggled recently, losing 12 of their last 16 games and dropping to 2-6-0 in their past eight.

The Florida Panthers showcased their special-teams dominance in a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. A.J. Greer and Eetu Luostarinen both scored short-handed goals during the same penalty kill, while Sam Reinhart added two goals. The Panthers maintained their perfect record when leading after two periods (14-0-0) and extended their dominance over Tampa Bay with nine wins in their last 11 matchups, including playoffs. Tampa’s Brayden Point and Nick Paul scored in the loss, which snapped their four-game winning streak.

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NHL (National Hockey League)

Oilers End Senators’ Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson

Oilers End Senators' Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson
Oilers End Senators' Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson

The Edmonton Oilers secured a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, breaking the Senators’ season-high six-game winning streak. Zach Hyman scored a decisive power-play goal late in the second period, while goaltender Stuart Skinner made 20 saves for Edmonton. This win marked the Oilers’ third consecutive victory and their 11th win in the last 13 games. Ottawa’s Nick Cousins tied the game briefly in the second period, but Edmonton’s strong play sealed the Senators’ fate.

Viktor Arvidsson shone for the Oilers, contributing a goal and an assist, while Adam Henrique added another goal for the team. Hyman has been in remarkable form, scoring in six straight games and netting 10 goals in nine games since recovering from an injury. For Ottawa, Nick Cousins was the lone goal scorer, finding the back of the net just 25 seconds into the second period. Leevi Merilainen, stepping in for the injured Linus Ullmark, made 12 saves in relief.

Oilers End Senators' Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson
Oilers End Senators’ Six-Game Win Streak with 3-1 Victory Behind Hyman and Arvidsson

The Senators faced a setback when Linus Ullmark left the game after the first period due to an injury sustained from a high shot. Merilainen, in just his fourth NHL game, stepped up to finish the game after earning his first career win the night before against Vancouver. Despite their efforts, Ottawa was unable to extend their winning streak. Edmonton’s offense and strong goaltending proved too much for the Senators.

Connor McDavid was instrumental in setting up the opening goal, sending a pass to Viktor Arvidsson for a tap-in during the first period. Arvidsson, returning to the first line after recovering from injury, was playing his third game back. Additionally, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both extended their point streaks to nine games. Draisaitl has tallied 20 points during this stretch, while McDavid has contributed 18.

Looking ahead, both teams are set to return to action on Saturday. The Ottawa Senators will face the Winnipeg Jets, while the Edmonton Oilers will take on the Los Angeles Kings. With the Oilers continuing their strong performance and the Senators hoping to rebound, the upcoming games will be crucial for both teams.