Blues 4, Senators 3: Ottawa's Missed Third-Period

If some losses sit with you longer than others, this one should gnaw at the Ottawa Senators. They were in control for long stretches in St. Louis, played the kind of structured first 40 minutes that usually translates into road points, and got a strong game from goalie Leevi Merilainen. But when the third period hit, the composure that carried them through most of the road trip suddenly cracked.

It wasn’t a collapse so much as a gradual unraveling — one turnover, one lost battle, one missed read at a time. Ottawa had built a 3–2 lead by leaning on patience, forechecking pressure, and timely finishing. Yet once the Blues started pushing, the Senators didn’t match that urgency. What should have been at least a point in the bank slipped into a regulation defeat.

And somewhere inside all that was the return of Brady Tkachuk, who brought his trademark drive and eight shots on goal. Still, even that emotional lift wasn’t enough to steady the team when it mattered most.

Key Point One: Ottawa Lost Its Urgency in the Third

For 40 minutes, the Senators were composed and detail-oriented. In the third, they strayed from those habits. Turnovers crept in, their exits weren’t clean, and St. Louis took advantage of each miscue. This wasn’t about effort — it was about attention to detail at the wrong moment.

Key Point Two: Leevi Merilainen Deserved a Better Fate

The young goaltender kept Ottawa in the game with timely saves and confident positioning. He read the play well and battled through traffic. The frustrating part for the Senators is that his performance should have been good enough to secure at least one point. It didn’t.

Key Point Three: The Return of Brady Tkachuk Was a True Positive

Brady Tkachuk didn’t ease his way back into the lineup; he drove the bus. With an assist, eight shots, and heavy involvement in the offensive zone, he looked like a player eager to make up for lost time. His presence elevated Ottawa’s pace and competitiveness. Alas, it didn’t translate into a win.

Final Thoughts from the Senators’ Perspective

This is the kind of loss that teaches and makes a good team set its collective jaw. If the Senators are to be a good road team, they must learn to protect third-period leads, especially when their goalie is giving them a chance to win. Ottawa had the structure for most of the night but didn’t maintain it when St. Louis pushed with desperation.

The Senators have been trending in the right direction on this road trip, and their young core continues to produce. The return of Brady Tkachuk is a major boost, and Leevi Merilainen showed he can handle difficult minutes.

But the lesson is clear: protecting leads requires the same focus that builds them. Ottawa didn’t find that gear in time — and it cost them.