The Ottawa Senators finally found their way back into the win column on Tuesday night, putting a stop to a frustrating four-game losing streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the visiting Vancouver Canucks.
A Much-Needed Victory at Home
Facing the National Hockey League’s worst team at Canadian Tire Centre, the Senators knew this was a critical opportunity to reverse their fortunes. The club had not celebrated a win since January 3, having been outscored 21-8 during their recent slide. The 2-1 final score, however, belied a game that Ottawa largely dominated, thanks in large part to a stellar performance by Vancouver's backup goaltender.
Lankinen Stands Tall for Vancouver
The story for much of the night was Canucks netminder Kevin Lankinen, who turned away 38 Ottawa shots to keep his team within striking distance. Were it not for his heroics, the Senators' lead could have been insurmountable early. Lankinen made 27 saves in the first two periods alone, including key stops on Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson.
On the other end, Leevi Merilainen, making his ninth consecutive start for Ottawa, was solid when called upon, stopping 17 of 18 shots. He benefited from a strong defensive effort that limited Vancouver to just 11 shots through the first forty minutes.
Senators Capitalize on Limited Chances
Despite the barrage of shots, only two Senators found a way past Lankinen. Jordan Spence and Artem Zub provided the necessary offence for Ottawa, building a 2-0 lead that would prove just enough. Head coach Travis Green had shuffled his forward lines in search of more scoring, and while the chances were plentiful, the finish was scarce against Vancouver's determined goaltender.
The Canucks made a push in the third period, capitalizing on a rare mistake. A giveaway by Dylan Cozens early in the frame allowed Elias Pettersson to fire a shot past Merilainen at 1:17, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The goal energized Vancouver and put the Senators on their heels, but Ottawa managed to hold on for the crucial two points.
Speaking before the game, centre Lars Eller emphasized the need for energy and a competitive edge, stating that one player or line could "drag the rest of the guys into it." The team responded, showing the urgency that was missing in their previous outing, a 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.
The win was vital for a Senators squad that began the night seven points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Halting the skid against the league's bottom-dweller was a non-negotiable step in any attempt to climb back into the playoff race.
