The Ottawa Senators delivered a powerful performance Tuesday night, decisively defeating their historic rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, by a score of 5-2 at the Bell Centre. The victory allowed Ottawa to finish a challenging seven-game road trip on a high note.
A Road Trip Concluded in Style
Determined to erase the memory of a 6-1 loss to the Dallas Stars just days prior, the Senators rebounded strongly to halt a two-game skid. The win in Montreal gave the club a solid 4-3-0 record for their lengthy trip away from home, finishing above the .500 mark.
The Senators' offense was firing on all cylinders, with significant contributions coming from the defense corps. Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub both found the back of the net from the blueline, while forwards Fabian Zetterlund and Drake Batherson also scored. Captain Brady Tkachuk sealed the deal with his first goal of the season, an empty-netter with 6:17 remaining in the third period.
Key Performances and Milestones
In goal, Linus Ullmark was a steadying presence, turning aside 19 of 21 shots to secure the win. The victory improved his personal career record against the Canadiens. Tkachuk's goal was a historic one, as it tied him with former defenseman Wade Redden for fifth place on the franchise's all-time scoring list with 410 points.
The Senators' defensive group was notably productive, combining for six total points in the contest, underscoring a complete team effort.
A Heated Atlantic Division Battle
True to the nature of the long-standing rivalry, the game was a tough, physical battle. Every check was finished hard, and scrums after the whistle were frequent. Both teams, coming off playoff appearances the previous spring, are jockeying for position in the competitive Atlantic Division, adding extra intensity to the matchup.
As always, Tkachuk was a central figure in the animosity, his mere presence agitating the Canadiens and their fans. The hostility was further fueled by the lineup decisions, with Ottawa's Kurtis MacDermid and Montreal's Arber Xhekaj both dressed, adding an element of anticipated toughness. While words were exchanged, the Senators ultimately let their play on the scoreboard do the talking.
Despite building a three-goal lead, Ottawa faced a strong push from the Canadiens in the third period. Ullmark made several key saves to preserve the advantage before Tkachuk's late goal extinguished any hope of a Montreal comeback. The Senators' convincing win sends a clear message as they return home and continue their push in the Eastern Conference.
