Blues 2, Senators 1: Hofer Stands Tall
The Ottawa Senators came up just short on Saturday at Canadian Tire Centre, falling 2-1 to the St. Louis Blues in a game that felt winnable right up until the final seconds. Linus Ullmark made 18 saves, but Joel Hofer stole the night for the visitors with 41 stops, including a jaw-dropping point-blank save on Tim Stutzle with just nine seconds remaining. The Senators outshot the Blues 15-2 in the first period and had numerous chances to seize control. Still, the night belonged to Hofer and St. Louis’ ability to capitalize on chaos around the crease.
Ottawa looked confident early. They carried the puck well and peppered the net with shots, yet their special teams sputtered. The Senators went 1-for-7 on the power play, leaving a pile of opportunities unused. When St. Louis forward Jake Neighbours scored twice—once immediately after a power play expired and again twelve seconds into the third period—the Senators were forced to chase the game. Fabian Zetterlund’s late goal gave them hope, but it was too little, too late.
Despite the loss, Ottawa showed intensity. They were speedy through the neutral zone, controlled cycles in the offensive zone, and provided their home crowd moments where they could sense a shift in momentum. The Senators remain seeking consistency, but the effort and shot volume suggested there’s plenty to build on.
Key Point One: Ottawa’s Early Pressure Couldn’t Find the Net
The Senators dominated the first period 15-2 in shots, but Linus Ullmark’s saves and a lack of net-front presence kept the Blues from converting. In this league, volume matters, but so does finishing—a lesson Ottawa will have to internalize.
Key Point Two: The Senators’ Special Teams Continue to Falter
Ottawa went 1-for-7 on the power play, including several chances to swing momentum late in the third. Travis Green was blunt: execution hasn’t been good enough, and the team must find ways to create traffic and confusion in front of the goalie.
Key Point Three: The Blues’ Joel Hofer’s Brilliance Stole the Game
No Ottawa narrative could escape Hofer’s performance. He tracked pucks that seemed impossible to see, making highlight-reel saves and keeping St. Louis in the lead. Even strong play from Tim Stutzle and Fabian Zetterlund wasn’t enough to crack him.
Final Thoughts from the Senators’ Perspective
For Ottawa, this one was a tough lesson in finishing and timing. They generated chances, moved the puck well, and played hard, but the league punishes hesitation and missed opportunities. Ullmark had his moments, but the team will want to find a way to back him up with a few timely goals.
Brayden Schenn’s line was lethal for St. Louis, and Ottawa will need better coverage in high-danger areas. Still, with a few adjustments and a net-front presence on the power play, the Senators are a team capable of growth—even in defeat.
The challenge now: turn volume and pressure into results before this stretch stretches confidence too thin.