Canadian Teams Morning Review – Jan. 6: Senators & Flames
Game One: Detroit Red Wings 5, Ottawa Senators 3: A Night That Slipped Away
From an Ottawa Senators perspective, this one had energy early and frustration late. Detroit walked out of Canadian Tire Centre with a 5–3 win. However, the game felt closer — and more painful — than the score suggests. Ottawa had push, emotion, and chances, but the details betrayed them at the worst moments.
James van Riemsdyk was the difference-maker, finishing with a goal and two assists, while Detroit counted on timely scoring and steady goaltending from John Gibson. Ottawa kept answering, but never quite took control.
Key Point One: Missed Momentum Swings
Brady Tkachuk hauled the Senators within one midway through the third period, and the building woke up. Detroit handed Ottawa two straight power plays right after, but instead of cashing in, the Senators gave up a short-handed goal that sucked the life out of the comeback attempt.
Key Point Two: Goaltending Shuffle Adds to the Chaos
Leevi Merilainen struggled early, giving up three goals on eight shots before Hunter Shepard took over to start the second period. Shepard settled things, but the early damage forced Ottawa to chase the game the rest of the night.
Key Point Three: Tim Stützle Keeps Rolling
Lost in the frustration was another strong night from Tim Stützle, who extended his point streak to 13 games with two assists. Even on uneven nights, Ottawa’s top-end skill continues to show up.
Final Thoughts from the Senators’ Perspective
Ottawa didn’t lack effort, but execution under pressure remains an issue. Special teams, turnovers, and finishing discipline all mattered — and Detroit was sharper when it counted. This game wasn’t a collapse, but it was a reminder: close games still demand clean habits. Ottawa is learning that lesson the hard way.
Game Two: Seattle Kraken 5, Calgary Flames 1: A Game That Got Away Fast
The Calgary Flames struck first, but the rest of the night belonged to Seattle. The Kraken turned a one-goal game into a runaway with a dominant third period, skating out of the Saddledome with a 5–1 win.
Adam Klapka opened the scoring early, and Calgary had a golden chance to extend the lead when Jonathan Huberdeau earned a penalty shot — but couldn’t convert. That moment lingered.
Key Point One: The Penalty Shot That Changed the Night
Huberdeau’s miss felt small at the time, but it loomed large. Instead of a 2–0 cushion, Calgary watched Seattle settle in and flip the script.
Key Point Two: Philipp Grubauer Shut the Door
Philipp Grubauer was excellent, stopping 41 shots and calmly erasing Calgary’s push. The Flames had looks, but they couldn’t solve him.
Key Point Three: Seattle’s Depth Took Over
The Kraken’s fourth line did real damage. Frederick Gaudreau, Jacob Melanson, and Ryan Winterton tilted the ice, and Seattle scored four unanswered goals in the third to put it away.
Final Thoughts from the Flames’ Perspective
This one wasn’t about effort. Calgary competed, hit, and generated chances. But when momentum swung, they couldn’t grab it back. Against a confident, rolling Seattle team, missed opportunities quickly turn into long nights.