Senators and Canadiens Clash to End Losing Streaks

OTTAWA, Ontario — The Ottawa Senators host the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night, each team seeking to end a three-game losing streak after returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break. The Senators, currently in the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, are set to kick off a three-game homestand. They boast a 16-7-2 record at home this season.

Tim Stutzle leads the Senators with 39 assists and 56 points in 56 games, entering the matchup on an eight-game point streak that includes two goals and nine assists. The German forward has been focused on refining aspects of his game during practice sessions leading into the critical stretch. “Keep working on those little details, and I think [coach Travis Green] has done a great job with trying to help me get better every day,” Stutzle remarked. “I think if I can elevate my game, that’s going to help us win more games.”

In net for the Senators, goaltender Linus Ullmark holds a record of 12-9-2 alongside a .915 save percentage and a 2.49 goals-against average in 25 games this season. Ullmark’s history against the Canadiens includes six appearances, with a record of 3-2-0 and an .890 save percentage. This game marks the second of four meetings between the teams this season, with the Canadiens having won the first match-up 4-1 in Montreal back on October 12.

The Canadiens are currently 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, with a dismal 2-7-1 record over their last ten games and an overall road record of 12-14-1 this season. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis has taken advantage of the practice days this week to emphasize the importance of solidifying the team’s defensive strategies. “We’ve just got to be sharp. Every guy has got to be on. It’s a five-man unit out there,” said defenseman Arber Xhekaj. “If one guy is losing their guy or off track, it screws up the whole thing.”

Xhekaj acknowledged that the Canadiens have struggled defensively leading up to the break. During their three-game losing streak, they allowed a total of 15 goals. “I think we were kind of a little scrambly. We’ve just got to tighten it up, and we’ll be alright,” he added.

Montreal captain Nick Suzuki leads the team with 52 points this season, while Cole Caufield tops the roster with 26 goals. On the goaltending front, Jakub Dobes will be looking to bounce back after allowing three goals on eight shots before being replaced in the Canadiens’ 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning prior to the break. Dobes holds a record of 5-2-1, a .908 save percentage, and a 2.71 goals-against average over nine starts this season. Sam Montembeault is also back with the team after serving as the third-string goaltender for Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The Senators and Canadiens will meet again in Montreal on March 18, before wrapping up their season series on April 11 in Ottawa.