The Montreal Canadiens came back from their break to face the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre on February 22, 2025. This matchup, always charged with tension, proved no different, as the Canadiens emerged victorious with a decisive 5-2 win. The game served as the Canadiens' first outing post-Four Nations Face-Off, showcasing their resilience and desire to improve after three consecutive losses.
The Canadiens wasted no time, scoring twice within the first five minutes of the game. Brendan Gallagher opened the scoring just 2:28 minutes in, netting his 15th goal of the season. The play came after Gallagher capitalized on a turnover by the Senators’ Drake Batherson, firing the puck past Linus Ullmark. Two minutes later, Cole Caufield followed suit, pushing the score to 2-0 with his 27th goal, once again displaying the Canadiens' aggressive approach and hustle on the ice.
Despite the early Canadiens' dominance, the Senators quickly responded. Jake Sanderson put Ottawa on the board with 6:40 remaining in the first period on the power play. That momentum continued as Tim Stutzle evened the score at 2-2 with just over four minutes left. Stutzle’s breakaway goal showcased the Senators' speed and offensive capability, threatening to flip the game's narrative.
But the Canadiens were determined to maintain control. Patrik Laine, who had been quiet for several games, disrupted the trend by scoring on the power play barely four seconds after the draw at 3:10 of the second, marking his first goal since returning from injury.
The energy continued as Josh Anderson extended the Canadiens’ lead to 4-2, marking his ninth goal of the season after cleaning up another rebound off Ullmark's pads. Juraj Slafkovsky impressed once again, scoring to push the Canadiens up to 5-2, ending Ullmark's night early with just eight shots against him, highlighting the Canadiens' offensive pressure.
Slafkovsky's performance was particularly noteworthy; characterized by speed and physicality, he not only scored but also imposed his style of play heavily on the Senators. Adding to the entertainment, he engaged the Senators' Ridly Greig, the fight boosting the Canadiens’ momentum even as their opponent's bench seemed diminished without their captain, Brady Tkachuk, who sat out due to injury.
The absence of Tkachuk was felt on the ice, as fans knew well the impact he had when facing the Canadiens. His leadership and fighting spirit have made him a cornerstone of the Senators’ lineup, and without him, Ottawa struggled to assert themselves effectively throughout the evening.
Despite the Senators pressing to chip away at the deficit, they were unable to overcome the Canadiens’ defense, anchored by Samuel Montembeault, who made 25 saves on the night. Montembeault’s first start following his gold-medal-winning performance with Team Canada added confidence and stability to the Canadiens' goal.
Through the game, the Canadiens’ physical play proved successful against the Senators. They pressured Ottawa continually, particularly within the neutral zone, not allowing the Senators to establish momentum or create effective plays. The Canadiens’ ability to capitalize on Ottawa’s mistakes was evident, leading to several scoring opportunities.
At the conclusion of the game, the scoreboard reflected the Canadiens' efforts: 5-2. This victory not only cemented their position within the Atlantic Division but also sent a statement to rivals about their readiness to contend after the break.
From here, both teams aim to carry this performance forward. The Canadiens have struggled this season but seem poised to turn things around, especially with players like Slafkovsky, Gallagher, and Caufield finding their rhythm. Meanwhile, the Senators will need to regroup quickly, especially without Tkachuk's physical presence, to regain their momentum after this loss.