In an awesome efficiency on the Canadian Tire Centre, the Ottawa Senators defeated the St. Louis Blues 8-1. Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, and Adam Gaudette every tallied two targets. However they weren’t alone. The offensive onslaught started with an early aim from Josh Norris only one minute into the sport. The Senators managed the tempo from begin to end, leaving little room for the Blues to get better. They proved they have been able to an enormous offensive explosion. Listed here are the important thing takeaways from a dominant displaying by the Senators.
Takeaway One: Tkachuk, Stützle, and Gaudette Lead the Cost
Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, and Adam Gaudette stepped up large, every recording a pair of targets to gasoline Ottawa’s offense. Tkachuk’s back-to-back power-play targets within the second interval helped construct the Senators’ lead. It additionally pressured the Blues to drag goalie Joel Hofer. Stützle’s four-point sport was his fifth straight sport with an help. He’s establishing himself as a strong playmaker for Ottawa this season.
Regardless of latest struggles, largely as a result of defensive points, the Senators’ top-scoring trio of Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, and Stützle have every already hit double digits in factors for the 2024-25 season. They’re now simply the fifth trio in franchise historical past to succeed in this milestone.
Takeaway Two: Fast Strike Units the Tone
The Senators wasted no time starting the onslaught. Josh Norris scored only one minute into the sport, and Noah Gregor scored three minutes later. This early offensive burst put the Blues on their heels and confirmed Ottawa’s capability to manage the sport from the faceoff. Norris’ fourth aim of the season got here off a wonderful cross-ice feed from Claude Giroux, who prolonged his level streak to seven video games.
Takeaway Three: Ullmark Holds Sturdy in Web
Whereas Ottawa’s offense stole the present, Linus Ullmark gave his staff a dependable presence in aim. He made 26 saves to earn his second win of the season and held regular because the Senators constructed its commanding lead. Regardless of a power-play aim from Blues ahead Dylan Holloway late within the third interval, Ullmark was regular.
There was an thrilling second within the sport the place a scrum led to Jordan Binnington’s involvement. As a result of goalies are likely to tackle different goalies, it appeared as if Ullmark was sport for slightly extracurricular exercise. In the end, nothing occurred. Followers have been excited in regards to the prospect of a goalie tilt. Ullmark known as all of it “an act” and mentioned at 7-1, there was no want for him to become involved in something.
What’s Subsequent for the Senators?
The Senators are using excessive after this spectacular win. They’ll look to keep up momentum as they go to the New York Rangers on Friday. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, and Ullmark is stepping up in aim. The staff has a profitable document, an enormous enchancment from earlier seasons.
Can Ottawa carry this robust play via their subsequent matchup on the highway? The large query is whether or not they can proceed to win
Associated: Senators Brady Tkachuk Shines: A Have a look at His Stellar Begin