Canadiens Dominate Senators in a 5-2 Victory After Long Break
Alright, hockey fans, let’s talk about last night’s game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators. After nearly two weeks off due to the Four Nations Tournament, the Habs hit the ice with fresh legs and a point to prove. And boy, did they deliver! Montreal came out strong, taking control early and never looking back, securing a solid 5-2 win over Ottawa at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Right from the jump, the Canadiens set the tone. Brendan Gallagher got things rolling just three minutes into the game after a mistake by Drake Batherson handed him a golden opportunity in the slot. Moments later, Cole Caufield doubled the lead, pouncing on a loose puck after a shot by Arber Xhekaj was blocked in front. Talk about capitalizing on chances!
But Ottawa wasn’t about to roll over. Jake Sanderson got the Sens on the board with a power-play goal, and Tim Stützle quickly followed up by picking off a pass from Mike Matheson and scoring on a breakaway to tie the game at 2-2. For a brief moment, it looked like the Senators might turn this into a real battle.
That didn’t last long.
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Patrik Laine, from his signature spot in the left circle, ripped home a power-play goal to restore Montreal’s lead before the end of the first period. Then, in the second, Josh Anderson pounced on a rebound to make it 4-2, and Juraj Slafkovsky sealed the deal with another goal off a Batherson turnover. Slafkovsky, by the way, looked fantastic all night—playing with confidence, using his size, and making things happen offensively.
On the back end, Samuel Montembeault was steady in goal, stopping 24 shots and keeping the Sens from mounting any serious comeback. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark had a rough outing, getting pulled after allowing five goals on just 15 shots. Anton Forsberg came in as relief, but by then, the damage was done.
One of the big takeaways from this game? Montreal came out of the break looking energized and ready to fight for a playoff spot. They had lost three straight before the pause, but if this performance is any indication, they’re determined to turn things around. Gallagher even mentioned how the energy from the crowd—filled with plenty of Habs fans—helped fuel the team.
On the flip side, Ottawa struggled with turnovers and looked rusty after the long layoff. Coach Travis Green didn’t sugarcoat it, saying the team was "rusty" and "not good with the puck." Missing their captain, Brady Tkachuk, certainly didn’t help.
All in all, a big statement win for the Canadiens. They’re now closing in on the Senators and Red Wings in the standings, and if they can keep this momentum going, things could get really interesting in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
So, what did you guys think of the game? Is this the start of a strong run for Montreal, or just a one-night flash of brilliance? Let me know!
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