The Ottawa Senators handed the Boston Bruins a tough 6-3 loss, extending their winning streak to five straight games. Drake Batherson was the standout performer, contributing two goals and an assist to lead a relentless offensive effort that left the Bruins struggling to keep up. The win solidifies the Senators’ position in the NHL playoff race, while the Bruins are left to critically evaluate their performance.
The Senators’ dominance was evident from the first period, as they scored four unanswered goals that left the Bruins reeling. Shane Pinto opened the scoring, followed by Tyler Kleven, Drake Batherson, and Ridly Greig, who capitalized on Bruins’ defensive disorganization and lack of precision.
Bruins coach Joe Sacco acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in the first period, pointing to poor execution and inaccurate passing as key factors in the loss.
“We just weren’t good enough in most of the facets in the first period,” Sacco said, per NHL.com. “Our execution wasn’t quite there, we weren’t sharp, our passing was off, and because of that, they got us back on our heels and then took the play to us in the first period. … I think a lot of it was self-inflicted. I think our decisions with the puck, at times, weren’t accurate.”
Bruins’ attempted comeback falls short
Despite the early deficit, the Bruins fought back in the second and third periods with goals from Casey Mittelstadt, David Pastrnak, and Marat Khusnutdinov. However, the Senators’ goaltender Linus Ullmark stood tall, making several key saves to thwart Boston’s comeback attempts. One highlight was Ullmark’s spectacular glove save on Mason Lohrei’s shot, a moment that left both players and fans in awe.
Senators’ resilience and playoff push
The Senators, riding a five-game winning streak, showcased resilience and determination throughout the game. Batherson’s stellar performance, combined with Ullmark’s solid goaltending, was instrumental in securing the victory. The win moves Ottawa into a favorable position in the playoff race, overtaking the Columbus Blue Jackets in the battle for the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.