Was it a statement game or just another Tuesday night? The Ottawa Senators delivered a decisive blow to their Atlantic Division rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, with a resounding 5-2 victory. But was it a true reflection of their potential, or did the Canadiens simply have an off night? Let's dive into the details of this clash of titans.
Brady Tkachuk and Fabian Zetterlund each contributed a goal and an assist, spearheading the Senators' offensive charge in what turned out to be a physical battle. Tkachuk's late-game goal, followed by his reaction towards the Montreal crowd, certainly added fuel to the rivalry fire. Was it just playful banter, or did it cross the line? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Drake Batherson, Jake Sanderson, and Artem Zub also found the back of the net for Ottawa, helping the Senators (now 13-9-4) snap a two-game losing streak and conclude a grueling seven-game road trip on a high note. Jordan Spence and Tyler Kleven each chipped in with two assists, showcasing the Senators' depth. Linus Ullmark stood tall in net, turning away 19 shots. While 19 shots saved might not sound like a huge workload, the quality of those chances was key to maintaining Ottawa's lead.
For the Canadiens (13-9-3), Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky responded with power-play goals. But here's where it gets controversial... Were these goals enough to ignite a comeback, or were they merely consolation tallies in a game dominated by Ottawa? Montreal, reeling from a 7-2 drubbing by Colorado just days before, suffered their second consecutive loss. Sam Montembeault, between the pipes for Montreal, faced 29 shots and managed 24 saves.
The victory propelled Ottawa, now with 30 points, past Montreal in the Atlantic Division standings, pushing the Canadiens outside of the coveted playoff spots. This is a crucial shift in the division landscape, and could have major implications for the playoff race later in the season.
The game unfolded with Slafkovsky drawing first blood at 3:37 of the first period. But the Senators responded swiftly, with Zetterlund answering just 24 seconds later with a blistering one-timer from distance. Zub then showcased some fancy stickhandling, deking Montembeault after a beautiful behind-the-back pass from Tkachuk at 16:53, giving Ottawa a 2-1 lead.
Sanderson and Batherson extended Ottawa's advantage in the second period, scoring just one minute apart. Sanderson drove hard to the net, tucking a backhand past Montembeault, while Batherson capitalized on a rebound, casually flipping the puck into the open net. And this is the part most people miss... Did Montembeault's rebound control cost the Canadiens the game? It's a small detail, but it highlights the importance of goaltending in crucial moments.
Suzuki narrowed the gap with a wrist shot that beat Ullmark at 8:50 of the second. However, Tkachuk sealed the deal with a late goal during a delayed penalty, further silencing the Montreal crowd.
Takeaways:
- Senators: Ottawa dominated at 5-on-5, but their special teams continue to be a concern. They went 0-for-2 on the power play and allowed two goals on three penalty kills. Their power play ranked 28th in the NHL in November, and their penalty kill was even worse, sitting at 31st. This begs the question: Can the Senators truly contend for a playoff spot if they don't improve their special teams?
- Canadiens: Another tough night for Montembeault. Despite a strong performance against Vegas in his previous game (30 saves on 31 shots), he looked shaky against the Senators. His save percentage this season (.864) is significantly lower than his career average (.896). Is Montembeault the long-term answer in goal for Montreal, or do they need to explore other options?
Key Moment: Batherson's easy goal off a rebound from Montembeault swung the momentum firmly in Ottawa's favor. A moment of defensive lapse from Montreal, combined with a shaky rebound, proved costly.
Key Stat: Senators veteran David Perron recorded an assist in his 1,200th career game. Perron, a journeyman who has played for multiple teams, including St. Louis (three stints), Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Vegas, Detroit, and Ottawa, has amassed 322 goals and 474 assists in his impressive career. A testament to his longevity and skill.
Up Next:
- Senators: Host the New York Rangers on Thursday.
- Canadiens: Host the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on December 2, 2025.
Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
What are your thoughts on this game? Did the Senators truly dominate, or did the Canadiens simply underperform? And what do you think of Tkachuk's celebration after his goal? Let's hear your opinions in the comments below!
