After going 1-1-1 on their three-game California road trip, the Ottawa Senators returned home to begin a four-game home stand against the Detroit Red Wings.
In the first of four regular season meetings against the Red Wings, the Senators needed to gain ground on the Red Wings who were ahead of them in the standings prior to the game. In a tight battle, the Senators found a way to prevail.
The Senators defeated the Red Wings 2-1 at Canadian Tire Centre to improve to 11-12-2 on the season. Linus Ullmark continues to be strong in goal with now going 2-0-1 in his last three starts. Ullmark made 19 saves to earn the win.
The Senators and Red Wings were in a stalemate for the entire game. In the final minute of regulation, one player would continue his dominance against the Red Wings at a clutch time.
2. One area to take advantage in failed bad
The Red Wings entered tonight's game with the worst penalty kill in the NHL at just over 65 percent. The Senators came into the game with the third best powerplay in the league. Tonight offered a great chance to take advantage if the Red Wings were to cost themselves by taking penalties.
In the game, the Senators had five powerplay chances and failed to score on every attempt. The closest chance the Senators came to scoring on the powerplay was when Drake Batherson appeared to give the Senators a 2-0 lead in the second period, but Batherson's goal was called back after a Red Wings challenge due to the play being offside.
Despite the win, failing on five powerplay attempts against the worst penalty kill in the league is a tough pill to swallow.
1. Offense gets carried by a Michigan native who continues his success against Red Wings
After scoring in the Senators' 4-3 win against the San Jose Sharks last Wednesday, Josh Norris went pointless in the next two games of the California road trip. Against the Red Wings, Norris came through big time.
Norris scored the first goal of the game at 12:14 of the first period. After Alex DeBrincat tied the game at one at 6:15 into the third period, and both teams playing tough defense, it appeared overtime would be needed for both teams. That was until Norris came through again for the Senators.
With 41.6 seconds left in regulation, Norris sniped a shot past Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso to give the Senators a 2-1 lead. Norris' two goals now has him at 11 goals this season. Norris also now has seven goals in nine career games against the Red Wings.
JOSH NORRIS GAME WINNER 😍 pic.twitter.com/zKzcP5DC8y
— NHL (@NHL) December 6, 2024
After rumors of being in trade talks at the end of November, tonight was a game that showed just how important Norris can be for the Senators.
Drake Batherson would record an assist on both of Norris' goals.
The Senators will continue their four-game home stand on Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET when they host the Nashville Predators. So far this season, the Predators have been one of the biggest disappointing teams with a 7-14-6 record. The Predators have lost their last six games.