The Ottawa Senators kicked off their longest road trip in franchise history on Tuesday night with an impressive 3-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. This win marks the fourth consecutive victory for the Senators, demonstrating their resurgence as they fight to maintain their playoff position.
Goaltender Linus Ullmark was the star of the night, registering 30 saves and claiming his third shutout of the season. This impressive feat also accounted for the 11th shutout of his career. Ullmark's performance has been nothing short of stellar, as he entered the match with a 5-0-1 record over his last six starts, showcasing his ability with a remarkable 1.55 goals-against average and .950 save percentage.
"It was a really good road win from start to finish," said Senators head coach Travis Green. He noted the team's strong effort on both ends of the ice, adding, "I know they had 15 shots in the first, but I thought after the first 10 minutes we played a good 200-foot game." Ullmark’s solid showing, particularly during challenging moments, kept the Kraken at bay, allowing Ottawa to build and maintain their lead.
The scoring for the Senators started late in the second period when Shane Pinto found the back of the net 8:02 minutes in, breaking the scoreless tie. His goal came at the end of a 19-game drought, and he was undoubtedly relieved to contribute, stating, "It was a long time since I scored, but like I said I was doing a lot of good things and eventually you get rewarded." Just minutes later, Noah Gregor doubled the Senators' lead with his fourth goal of the season, capitalizing on his opportunity against Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord. Tim Stutzle sealed the victory with another goal just four minutes and 18 seconds later, making it 3-0. Stutzle emphasized the team's confidence, saying, "We knew it was going to be a hard road trip. We know we’re a good team, we know we can play with anyone and we showed it again tonight."
The Senators' offensive surge is particularly notable, with the team scoring three or more goals consistently during this winning streak. This success has raised the Senators' overall record to 16-13-2 as they aim for improved positioning in the standings and to solidify their place among the playoff contenders.
Ullmark's command between the pipes was pivotal, especially as the Senators relied heavily on his performance due to Anton Forsberg's absence with an undisclosed lower-body injury. This match marked Ullmark's fourth straight start, and if his form continues, he could become the go-to option for the remainder of this extensive road trip.
"It's a gritty win. That's what it’s,” Ullmark stated, acknowledging the challenges of starting the trip on the West Coast. He mentioned the unique hurdles teams face with jet lag, particularly during the first games of trips like these: "The first game on these Western road trips is usually always the hardest one. We did a lot of good things throughout 60 minutes." Ullmark's mindset reflects the necessity of perseverance and adaptability, especially during such pivotal junctures of the season.
The Senators' ability to maintain their composure against the Kraken, who have struggled at home lately, is another positive takeaway from this match. It was Seattle's fifth shutout loss of the season, highlighting their current difficulties on the ice. Critics have noted the Kraken's recent performances and the Senators took full advantage of this opportunity to extend their winning streak.
Looking forward, the Senators have set their eyes on their next matchup—visiting the Calgary Flames on Thursday, as they seek to improve their road record, which currently stands at 6-7-1. The stakes are high, and maintaining momentum will be key to keeping their playoff hopes alive and thriving during this demanding stretch of games.
With the victory against Seattle, the Senators have demonstrated their resilience and ability to rise to the occasion, and their growing confidence might prove beneficial as they navigate this lengthy road trip.
