Senators Looking for Redemption in Rivalry Clash with Canadiens
After a rough night in Dallas, the Ottawa Senators are headed to one of hockey’s most iconic stages with something to prove.
Sunday’s 6-1 loss to the Stars wasn’t just a bad game - it was a full-system breakdown against one of the NHL’s top teams. Now, with a chance to close out a seven-game road trip above .500, the Senators will try to reset against their oldest rival, the Montreal Canadiens, on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre.
This isn’t just any game. It’s the kind of emotional, high-stakes matchup that tends to bring out the best - and sometimes the worst - in both teams. And for Ottawa, it might be exactly what they need to snap a two-game skid and regain some momentum after what was otherwise their best November in five years.
A Trip That Needs a Strong Finish
The Senators enter the final game of their road swing with a 3-3-0 record. Not terrible, but not great either. A win in Montreal would put them over .500 for the trip, and more importantly, help stabilize a team that’s starting to drift outside the playoff picture.
Friday’s 4-3 loss to the Blues was a gut-punch. Sunday’s blowout in Dallas was a wake-up call. Now comes a rivalry game with playoff-like intensity - a chance to reset the tone as December begins.
Tkachuk, Stützle, and the Bell Centre Heat
Games between Ottawa and Montreal are rarely quiet affairs. These matchups are physical, emotional, and often personal - and that’s especially true for Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and top-line center Tim Stützle, who’ve both earned their share of boos from the Montreal faithful.
Tkachuk, back in the lineup after thumb surgery, is still managing his recovery and likely won’t be dropping the gloves anytime soon. But his presence alone tends to raise the temperature in these games. And with Stützle in the mix, you can count on some fireworks.
Both teams are young, talented, and clawing their way back to relevance in the Atlantic Division after years of rebuilding. They haven’t met in the playoffs since 2015, but the animosity hasn’t faded. In fact, it’s only grown.
Roster Decisions Loom for Travis Green
With the rivalry stakes high, head coach Travis Green has some lineup decisions to make. Expect at least one of the team’s enforcers - Kurtis MacDermid or Hayden Hodgson - to draw in, if only to keep things honest against a Canadiens lineup that includes the hard-hitting Xhekaj brothers, Arber and Florian.
MacDermid has only appeared in eight of Ottawa’s 25 games this season, and Hodgson was called up from Belleville just two weeks ago. But this is exactly the kind of game where their physical presence matters.
On the blue line, Dennis Gilbert - also recalled from Belleville - could be an option if Green wants more size and grit, especially with Thomas Chabot still sidelined indefinitely.
Special Teams Under the Microscope
If Ottawa wants to get back in the win column, it starts with cleaning up the special teams. The Senators’ power play may be ranked 11th in the league, but that number is misleading. In November, they converted just 4 of 30 opportunities - a 12.1% clip that simply isn’t cutting it.
The struggles were on full display in Dallas, where the man advantage went 0-for-3 and actually seemed to sap the team’s momentum. Defenseman Jake Sanderson didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Our power play kind of drained some of our game,” Sanderson said. “Not sharp, not crisp.
You never know - if we get one on the power play, we get a little momentum and the game changes. That’s on us for sure.”
The penalty kill has shown some signs of improvement, finishing November at 77.8%, good for 23rd in the league. But overall, the special teams need to be sharper if this team wants to stay in the playoff mix.
Ullmark’s Up-and-Down Season Continues
In net, Linus Ullmark is expected to get the start after sitting out Friday’s game in St. Louis.
He made his 300th career start in Dallas, but it wasn’t a night to remember - six goals allowed on 26 shots. He’s now surrendered 60 goals in 19 games, the most in the league.
Ullmark’s numbers - a 9-6-4 record, 3.10 goals-against average, and .874 save percentage - tell the story of a season that’s been uneven at best. That said, he’s shown signs of progress lately, and the team needs him to keep trending in the right direction.
The Canadiens will counter with Samuel Montembeault in goal.
A Milestone Night for Perron
Tuesday will also be a special night for veteran winger David Perron, who will play his 1,200th career game - and he’ll do it in his home province of Quebec. The Sherbrooke native will get to celebrate the milestone in front of friends, family, and a packed Bell Centre crowd.
The Bottom Line
This game won’t define the Senators’ season, but it could help shape the next stretch. A rivalry tilt, an emotional setting, a chance to bounce back - it’s all there.
Ottawa doesn’t need perfection. But they do need urgency, discipline, and a full 60-minute effort. If they bring that, they’ll give themselves a real shot to end this road trip on the right note.