Entering Thursday night, the Ottawa Senators needed a major bounce back win against the Tampa Bay Lightning after losing 5-2 to the Buffalo Sabres last game to get swept in the four-game season series.
The Senators have not played the Lightning since dropping a set of back-to-back road games in February. In the fourth and final meeting, it would be a tight game all throughout that the Senators would come through in.
The Senators defeated the Lightning 2-1 at Canadian Tire Centre to improve to 40-29-6 on the season. With the win, the Senators now have 86 points on the season to hold the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Along with now having 86 points on the season, the Senators' win marked the first time since the 2016-17 season that the Senators have won 40 games in a season, which in a twist was the last time the Senators made the playoffs. In a game the Senators needed to have, the Senators came through.
2. Another first in a season for a Sens player
Last game against the Sabres, Jake Sanderson scored a goal to record the first 50-point season of his career. This time, Sanderson helped a Senator record a first for a single season.
After Shane Pinto scored the only goal in the first period, Sanderson scored a powerplay goal to make it 2-0 Senators 5:17 into the second period. On Sanderson's goal, Ridly Greig recorded his second assist of the game. Greig recording an assist on Sanderson's goal helped him record the first 30-point season of his career.
Sanderson BURIES the sneaky pass from Tim. #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/vi2p9xpCir
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 4, 2025
After recording 26 points last season, Greig has shown more progress this season at 22 years old. Greig's play is showing on why the Senators gave him a four-year contract extension back in January.
1. Major bounce back in goal
Against the Sabres last game, Linus Ullmark got the start and played poor with allowing in four goals. Ullmark allowed in a combined nine goals in his two starts against the Sabres this season.
Ullmark would get the start against a talented Lightning offense. Ullmark needed a bounce back game against the Lightning after allowing in four goals against the Lightning back in the 4-3 loss on Feb. 4, and he delivered.
Ullmark finished by making 31 saves to earn his 22nd win of the season. Eleven of Ullmark's saves came in the third period alone.
WHATEVER. IT. TAKES. 😤#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/Udd7JYll4V
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 4, 2025
Every team needs solid goaltending in April to make a push for the playoffs. Ullmark bounced back big time to help the Senators earn a crucial two points.
The Senators will return to action on Saturday afternoon when they host the Florida Panthers. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET for the third and final meeting of the season.
In the last game against the Panthers, the Panthers scored five unanswered goals to win the game 5-1 on Feb. 8 in Sunrise, Florida. In the first meeting in Ottawa on Oct. 10, the Senators won 3-1.