SENS WIN HOME OPENER 3-1 OVER PANTHERS
Spartacat > all other cats
How's that for a start to the season, huh?
It wasn't a perfect game by any means, and Sens fans know better than anyone that it's too early to draw any conclusions, but it does feel nice to beat the defending champs, and it feels especially nice to do thanks to good goaltending.
Let's keep that going for at least another month this time, okay?
Home openers are always high-energy and full of good vibes, and this one was no different. The Sens did a great job with the player introductions and the ceremonial puck drop, and the team looked… not very good at the start.
But it’s okay because they redeemed themselves! Ullmark made some routine saves that Korpisalo probably would have missed last year, the Sens became Good, and soon enough Shane Pinto took one for the team by taking a stick to the face.
Even though Pinto had blood pouring out of his nose, for some reason it was only a minor penalty. The Sens made quick work of the powerplay, as Tim Stützle did his little dancey dance and absolutely wired the puck right past Bobrovsky. I’ve missed him so much. 1-o Ottawa.
What a laser! 💥#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/fVPALiTRO2
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 10, 2024
The Sens looked very good for most of the first period. The crowd was clearly having fun, as they started chanting “Brady’s better.” Says a lot that we hear that all the time but no one ever chants “Matthew’s better.” Something to think about.
Perhaps angry that all the attention wasn’t on him, Shane Pinto reminded us all that he’s an important part of this team, extending the Sens’ lead with another goal. The cotton sticking out of his nose really added to the effect. 2-0 Ottawa.
Do it all by yourself @shane_pinto 💪#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/RRFl3i25ky
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 10, 2024
The Sens were slightly less good in the second period. Ullmark had to make some actual saves, but considering that they were playing the defending cup champs, they weren’t playing badly at all. It was a fun hockey game!
They got a powerplay a bit over halfway through the game, and they looked amazing but couldn’t get past Bobrovsky. Unfortunately, right after the penalty expired, the Panthers got one back, making the score 2-1 Ottawa.
The score held for the remaining 5 or so minutes of the period.
Ottawa decided to become Good again to start the third period. They were absolutely flying for a few minutes but couldn’t break through. They would regret not getting an extra goal there later, as they settled into a fairly even game, holding on to the one goal lead with a lot of help from their goaltender.
They definitely regretted not getting an extra goal in the last 7 minutes or so of the game, when the Panthers went crazy mode and pulled out all the stops trying to get the equalizer. Linus Ullmark was absolutely the only reason Ottawa didn’t give up at least one goal there. If any other recent Sens goalie had been in net, they would have given up at least 3 goals in one minute. Shoutout to Josh Norris for grabbing the puck and throwing it toward the blueline. That’s the kind of creative solution we needed.
After what felt like an eternity and the longest shift of all time, Brady Tkachuk dished the puck to Tim Stützle, who skated his ass off and managed to tap the puck into the empty net. 3-1 Ottawa would hold as the final score.
Pure hustle for the WIN!!#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/ozsCSVhj0r
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) October 11, 2024
Game Notes
- The team as a whole played pretty well considering that they were up against the defending cup champs, but they absolutely could not have held on for the win if not for Linus Ullmark. Man, it feels great to have goaltending.
- The team as a whole struggled a lot with zone exits and entries. It's something they'll have to work on moving forward.
- Tim Stützle is so back and it's something you're going to be hearing more and more. He did it all tonight; he drew penalties, he impressed us all on the powerplay, and he put the game away with that empty-netter. What a game.
- Shane Pinto also had a great game. He was noticeable all night, and a difference maker with that goal.
- Josh Norris was inevitably going to draw a lot of attention, as this was his first regular season game since February. Although he didn't get many opportunities to use his one-timer, I thought he was noticeable in a good way overall.
