The Ottawa Senators are on their first four-game winning streak of the season thanks to a fantastic road performance against a key division rival. The Senators beat the Boston Bruins 6-2 on Sunday, allowing just 19 shots in the process.
Fabian Zetterlund led the way with two goals and an assist, while Dylan Cozens and Drake Batherson each added a goal and two assists. Claude Giroux had a goal and an assist.
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With the win, Ottawa moved one point closer to a playoff spot and has now won five of its last six games.
The Senators took an early 3-0 lead in the first period thanks to goals from Batherson, Giroux and Zetterlund.
David Pastrnak scored late in the first period to cut the deficit to 3-1 after 20 minutes.
Ottawa came out strong in the second period, scoring on goals from Tim Stützle and Dylan Cozens, which all but sealed Boston’s fate. Former Senator Joonas Korpisalo was forced out of the game at that point in favor of Jeremy Swayman, who was forced into action on the second night of a row.
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Michael Eyssimont cut Ottawa’s lead to 5-2 with just over five minutes left in the period, but Zetterlund quickly restored Ottawa’s four-goal advantage with a power play goal, his ninth goal of the season. It would be the end of the scores, but not of the hostilities.
While the home team wanted to leave some sort of mark, Senators enforcers Kurtis MacDermid dropped the gloves twice, first with Tanner Jeannot in the second period, then with former Senator Mark Kastelic in the third.
Things escalated further in the final minute of the game when David Pastrnak exchanged words with Brady Tkachuk, who was standing on the Senms bench. On the ensuing faceoff, Pastrnak appeared to catch Nick Jensen with a high stick, prompting Ridly Greig to intervene. Greig landed a few hard hits, leaving Pastrnak with a bloody lip as both players were escorted off the ice.
Even though the score was one-sided, it could have been even worse for Boston, with the Sens missing numerous other opportunities. Stutzle, for his part, was unable to finish on two clear breakaways and shorthanded.
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What stood out in the third period was Ottawa’s careful finishing. Previous versions of this team could have relaxed and enthusiastically tried to pad their stat lines. But the Senators took care of business and remained disciplined and defensively tight.
The Senators return to action Tuesday night for their final game before Christmas, hosting the Buffalo Sabers at the Canadian Tire Centre.
By Steve Warne
Ottawa hockey news
