Senators 6, Blue Jackets 3: Fast Start Changes Everything
Some nights, you can feel the story settle in early. The Ottawa Senators’ 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets was one of those nights. Four first-period goals set the tone, Tim Stutzle found his scoring touch, and the Senators finally snapped a three-game losing streak that had started to tighten around their confidence. You don’t erase frustration in one night, but you can certainly take a healthy step in the right direction.
From the jump, the Senators looked determined. Drake Batherson, Dylan Cozens, and David Perron were buzzing all over the offensive zone, and the pucks they’d been missing lately were suddenly finding sticks, feet, and open space. When you’re on a skid, the hardest thing is getting that first one to settle the nerves. Perron took care of that. Then Batherson piled on. Then Stutzle. Suddenly, it felt like Ottawa had rediscovered its rhythm.
Even when Columbus pushed back in the second period—twice—the Senators didn’t wilt. Linus Ullmark made the saves he needed to, the bench stayed steady, and then Stutzle buried the backbreaker late in the frame.
Key Point One: The Senators’ First-Period Surge Set the Tone.
The opening period was the Senators at their best: direct, aggressive, puck-supportive. Drake Batherson, Dylan Cozens, and David Perron combined for eight points in the first 20 minutes, the kind of statement start this team has been chasing for weeks. When that line is in sync, Ottawa becomes a different team.
Key Point Two: Tim Stutzle’s Spark Arrives Just in Time.
Tim Stutzle has been looking for a night like this, and he delivered. Two goals, both timely, both momentum-shifting. His second goal—digging in on his own rebound—was pure determination. When he’s hunting pucks like that, the Senators’ entire top six feels more dynamic.
Key Point Three: The Senators Held Steady in the Middle Frame.
Columbus pushed hard in the second period, and the Senators bent but didn’t break. Linus Ullmark’s composure was noticeable, especially with bodies and deflections flying in front of him. Ottawa didn’t get rattled by the quick swings, which is the kind of maturity they’ve been searching for.
Final Thoughts from the Senators’ Perspective.
For Ottawa, this was a game that reintroduces belief. The offence snapped back into form, the power play looked organized, and players like Claude Giroux and Michael Amadio delivered exactly the kind of veteran calm the team needed.
Losing Lars Eller for the third period didn’t shift their focus, either. That’s a small but significant sign that bench structure is improving.
It doesn’t fix the losing streak entirely, but it points the compass forward again. Now the question is whether they can stack this kind of performance.