St. Louis Blues secure victory against Ottawa Senators with dominant performance.
The St. Louis Blues made it clear on Friday night: they are back, defeating the Ottawa Senators 4-0 at the Enterprise Center. This victory not only showcased their strength but also extended the Senators' recent struggles, marking their fourth loss in five games.
After coming off a disappointing 4-2 defeat against the Dallas Stars the previous night, the Senators were eager to redeem themselves. Their captain, Brady Tkachuk, labeled the loss against the Stars as 'embarrassing' and 'unacceptable.' The Senators aimed to tap back on their earlier confidence, especially since they had blitzed the Blues 8-1 during their first encounter of the season on October 29. Unfortunately for Ottawa, this second matchup revealed their continuing challenges.
Brandon Saad was the standout for St. Louis, scoring the first natural hat trick of his career as well as the game-winner. Saad's initial goal opened the floodgates at 7:26 of the first period when he capitalized on a breakaway, effortlessly gliding the puck past Senators' goaltender Anton Forsberg. After putting the team up by two with another goal at 15:50, he completed the hat trick with only 1:53 remaining. His performance was as much about timing and execution as it was about personal redemption, with Saad saying, "I felt like it was only a matter of time, so tonight felt good for sure."
The Blues' goalie, Jordan Binnington, was also key to the victory, stopping 20 shots and securing his 18th career shutout. His performance was calm under pressure, as he faced attempts from the Senators who struggled to generate any significant offense throughout the game. The Senators managed only 20 shots on goal, and their offensive struggles were painfully evident. After the game, Tkachuk acknowledged the glaring lack of productivity, pointing out how the team needed to create more opportunities.
The Senators weren't without their own chances, though. Thomas Chabot nearly gave them hope when he appeared to score late in the second period. Unfortunately for Ottawa, the Blues challenged the goal, and after video review, it was determined Nick Cousins was offside, nullifying what would have been the Senators' first score of the night. "We were just slow to start and that's it," Chabot stated post-game, indicating the team's execution wasn't where it needed to be.
Forsberg, returning from injury for his first start since December 8, faced some challenges, having to deal with powerful breakaway plays by the Blues. He saved 21 shots on the night but was visibly stressed by the circumstances. Ottawa's coach, Travis Green, remarked on the need for the team to focus more on their offensive strategy. He stated, "We didn’t create enough...we’ve got to find a way to get some more offense out of our group. We’re playing well defensively." Green's comments reflect the reality of the situation: something is amiss within the Senators' offensive tactics.
The Senators are currently holding onto the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, but their recent form must improve if they hope to maintain this position. With just two games played so far in 2025 — both losses — the team has yet to find the scoring touch they showcased earlier. Having recorded only 33 shots combined across their last two outings, their power play continues to stall, sitting at 0-for-5 two games deep.
Looking forward, Ottawa faces another challenge on January 7 against the Detroit Red Wings, the final stop on their lengthy nine-game road trip. It will be imperative for the Senators to regroup before facing Detroit, whose formidable roster poses its own challenges.
Meanwhile, as the Blues stride forward with renewed confidence, they have already demonstrated what can happen with consistent team play. With their recent 4-0 win, St. Louis has won four of their last five games, raising expectations within their camp as they look to capitalize on this momentum. The Blues are positioned to face the Columbus Blue Jackets next, aiming to extend their hot streak and leverage this performance as they build for their upcoming challenges.
This game most certainly served as both redemption for the Blues and frustration for the Senators, underlining the competitive spirit and unpredictability of the NHL.