With just one game left before a three-week Olympic break, the Ottawa Senators are looking to cap off this stretch on a high note. Thursday night’s matchup in Philadelphia offers a prime opportunity - not just to bank two points, but to head into the pause with some momentum and confidence.
“Yeah, obviously a big game,” Drake Batherson said after morning skate. “We’ve been playing some good hockey; we’d like to end it off playing well and to get a big win.”
Batherson has quietly been stringing together a solid run, notching assists in four straight games. He’s been part of a line that’s clicking at just the right time, skating alongside veteran Claude Giroux and the surging Tim Stützle - who’s in the middle of a heater himself. Stützle has found the back of the net in four consecutive games and has points in six straight, with five goals and five assists during that span.
There’s a noticeable chemistry between the trio, and it’s not just about skill - it’s the way they’re reading off each other, anticipating plays, and creating space.
“I think we just all read the game pretty well, and we’ve been finding each other,” Stützle said. “We’re all good on the outside, but we’ve got to get more to the net. Doesn’t matter who it is - we need someone in front.”
That’s the next step for this line: turning high-quality puck possession into gritty, high-danger chances. Stützle knows they’ve left a few goals on the table in recent games, and while the team has been winning, they’re aiming to tighten things up - especially in games where they’re in control but don’t get the result they feel they’ve earned.
“Last game, obviously, I feel like we deserved better,” Stützle said. “But at the end of the day, we’ve got to mature and at least get a point in those games.”
The 21-year-old forward has been one of Ottawa’s most dynamic players lately, and his confidence is showing. He’s making plays in all three zones, driving offense, and showing a willingness to battle in the tough areas.
“Yeah, I feel pretty good, but obviously the team has been playing great as well, so that helps a lot,” he added. “For our line, we’ve got to get some greasy goals as well. We’ve been getting looks, so pucks will keep going in hopefully, and we’ve just got to keep grinding and keep doing our job in the D-zone as well.”
That two-way commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed. Batherson praised Stützle’s consistency and leadership - not just in terms of points, but in how he sets the tone each night.
“Every night, he’s a driving factor for us,” Batherson said. “He’s leading the way.
So it’s easy to follow a guy like that when you see him going all out every single night and bringing it. He creates so much for our team.
Obviously playing [penalty kill], he’s doing it all, so we’re happy to have him.”
With the Flyers up next and a long break looming, the Senators know the importance of this one. It’s about more than just standings - it’s about finishing strong, reinforcing good habits, and setting the tone for the stretch run. And with their top line firing on all cylinders, they’ve got a real shot to do just that.