The Ottawa Senators are starting to find their rhythm, and a big reason why is coming from an unexpected-but increasingly reliable-source: their blueline.
In Tuesday night’s 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre, Ottawa’s defense didn’t just hold the line-they drove the offense. The Senators’ blueliners combined for six points in the victory, capping off a grueling seven-game road trip with a 4-3-0 record. That kind of production from the back end isn’t just a bonus-it’s becoming a defining feature of this team.
Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub each lit the lamp, while Jordan Spence and Tyler Kleven added two points apiece. That collective effort vaulted Ottawa’s defense corps up the league leaderboard. They now sit fourth in the NHL in total points from defensemen-just one spot behind the Canadiens, who have been setting the pace in that category.
Through this point in the season, the Senators’ defense has chipped in 66 points-13 goals and 53 assists. That’s serious production, especially considering they’ve been without one of their top two-way contributors, alternate captain Thomas Chabot. Chabot’s absence could’ve left a hole, but instead, it’s opened the door for others to step up-and they have.
Sanderson, in particular, is making a strong case to be mentioned among the league’s elite. His point streak now sits at four games, with three goals and three assists over that stretch. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s doing it with poise, consistency, and the kind of two-way game that turns heads when it comes time for Norris Trophy conversations.
Zub, meanwhile, is quietly having a career year offensively. His goal against Montreal was his third of the season, a new personal best.
And Kleven? He notched the first multi-point game of his young career, showing he’s more than just a physical presence on the blue line.
“I honestly thought this was probably one of our D-core’s best games of the season,” Sanderson said postgame. “We were skating the puck out of our zone and breaking pucks out cleanly.
(Kleven) played awesome. He was playing so physically and aggressively.
I just thought everybody had a great game.”
That kind of chemistry and confidence is exactly what head coach Travis Green wants to see. Green isn’t asking his defensemen to take unnecessary risks, but he’s also not putting the brakes on their offensive instincts. His message has been clear: be smart, be responsible-but if the play’s there, go make it.
“They were just solid,” Green said. “I talked to our D about being more involved in the breakouts when they could. I thought they did a good job of that, and they did an outstanding job in the offensive zone as well.”
And that’s the key. It’s not just about defensemen joining the rush-it’s about them driving it.
Ottawa’s blueliners are reading plays, jumping into gaps, and sustaining pressure in the offensive zone. When the defense is this active and effective, it changes the entire complexion of the game.
The Senators still have work to do, but if their blue line continues to play like this-controlling the tempo, contributing offensively, and locking things down in their own zone-they’re going to be a tough out for anyone.