Senators Crush Bruins 7–2 for Third Straight Win
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By Doug Hirdle
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Summary:
- Drake Batherson and Tim Stützle each scored twice and added an assist in the Ottawa Senators’ dominant home win against the Boston Bruins
- Goalie Leevi Meriläinen made 27 saves, rebounding from a rough earlier start.
- The Senators have scored seven goals in back-to-back games for the first time since February 2023.
The Ottawa Senators put together one of their most complete performances of the season on Monday, routing the Boston Bruins 7–2 for their third straight win.
Drake Batherson and Tim Stützle led the way with two goals and an assist each, while goaltender Leevi Meriläinen bounced back in a big way. The 23-year-old stopped 27 shots, just two weeks after surrendering seven goals in his only other start of the season.
Things didn’t start smoothly for Ottawa. Just 90 seconds into the game, Boston’s Morgan Geekie capitalized on a defensive miscue and scored on the Bruins’ first shot of the night. However, the Senators managed to regroup fast.
Batherson evened things up midway through the first period with a power-play goal, and Claude Giroux put Ottawa ahead early in the second with his second goal of the season. From there, the Senators never looked back.
Nick Cousins and Fabian Zetterlund added goals in the third period, and the Senators outworked Boston in every zone.
The only other goal the Bruins managed came in the dying seconds, when Viktor Arvidsson slipped one past Meriläinen with less than 10 seconds to play.
Jeremy Swayman made 17 saves for Boston, which continues to struggle on both sides of the puck. The Bruins sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 4–7–0 record.
Coach Smith: “The Offence Is Clicking”
Drake Batherson’s second goal of the night made a bit of history, marking the first time in his career he’s scored multiple goals in consecutive games. “The offence is clicking for Ottawa this young season” head coach D.J. Smith said afterward.
The Senators have now scored at least six goals in back-to-back wins for the first time since February 2023, following their 7–3 victory over Washington on Saturday.
There was also an unusual moment off the ice. During the intermissions, the arena broadcast the Toronto Blue Jays’ World Series game live on the big screens, complete with commentary audio, keeping most fans glued to their seats.
In a rare show of Ontario unity, the Senators’ official social media account even posted a supportive message for the Blue Jays, something team management reportedly signed off on beforehand.
Ottawa now hits the road to face the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, while Boston heads home to host the New York Islanders, still searching for answers after another flat performance in the NHL.
