A Good Effort In 4-1 Loss to the Overwhelming Jets

The Ottwas Senators entered this game as the clear underdogs. After losing four in a row, and coming off a frustrating loss against the Habs, the Sens needed to try to right the ship.

The Sens came out flying and it quickly paid off with an early power play. While the power play wasn't fruitful, the Sens showed some really good energy and moved the puck well. A power play you could build on.

Despite a strong start, playing the Jets requires constant vigilance. When Tim Stützle attempted an extra flashy move in the defensive zone and lost the puck, Winnipeg seized the opportunity and capitalized. With the Jets scoring first, the Senators were suddenly facing an uphill battle.

The trouble got worse as Linus Ullmark lost track of a puck and just like that, a good period ended up in a 2-0 deficit.

Credit to the Senators, who responded strongly after the Jets’ second goal, at one point outshooting them 12-5. While their effort was commendable, the absence of Tkachuk, Pinto, and Norris was glaring, as their finishing touch was sorely missed.

The rest of the first period was pretty uneventful with the Sens getting most of the best chances but failing to generate the grade “A” opportunity required.

Second periods have at times proven challenging for the Sens but against a Winnipeg Jets team that has won 10 in a row, well tonight wasn't pretty.

Some of the not-so-good things that happened in that middle frame: an injury scare from Claude Giroux who was hit by an Artem Zub shot, a third Jets goal, and Tyler Kleven also left the game with a lower body injury. Not good!

The Sens were given some life when Thomas Chabot broke the shutout to make it 3-1. Was the comeback dream is alive? And, with an assist on the goal, Stützle's point streak continues.

Tout un tir de Thomas Chabot!! 🎯

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— LNH (@lnh-fr.bsky.social) February 26, 2025 at 8:52 PM

While we were hoping this goal would jolt the Sens, it only resulted in some more chances with no finish. Ottawa did end up earning a cheer from the crowd with a fantastic penalty kill to end the period.

Down by two and the Sens showing flashes of good pressure, it wasn't completely impossible to hope for a miraculous third period. But while Linus Ullmark seemed to have settled into his groove, the problem was Connor Hellebuyck on the other end was also in his groove.

The last 10 minutes saw the Sens putting some much needed pressure on the Jets and getting some good quality chances. With less than 6 to go, they were given a golden opportunity with a power play. Unfortunately, a clearly fatigued group never found their timing and this power play was an entry zone disaster after the other.

Travis Green was hoping that pulling Ullmark early could possibly work for a team that had failed to finish the majority of their chances. While there were some chances and they saved one empty goal attempt, Mark Scheifele buries the dagger and the Sens are now on a 5-game losing streak.

While it's frustrating to see the Sens lose again in this crucial stretch ( the rem now has a 2-5 record in February), the personnel losses on the team are not minor. Stützle is not on a point streak by chance, he has been outstanding in most games but he simply doesn't have the support right now. The Sens have a few days to rest before facing the San Jose Sharks at home, hopefully with some healthy bodies back for them. They need a win, badly.

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