2 takeaways from Senators' 4-2 loss against Jets in Winnipeg

After not playing since Dec. 22, the Ottawa Senators returned to play at last against the Winnipeg Jets, who came into tonight as the second-best team in the NHL. The Senators not only came into Winnipeg riding a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, but also with injuries hitting the team badly.

Star goaltender Linus Ullmark didn't make the road trip for the Senators, and his backup Anton Forsberg has dealt with an injury since Dec. 14. Against a top team in the NHL, the Senators had an ugly second period and third period.

The Jets defeated the Senators 4-2 at Canada Life Centre to drop the Senators to 18-15-2 on the season. The loss gave the Senators their second consecutive loss.

What once looked like a promising chance of upsetting one of the top teams in the league, would quickly turn into a disaster for the Senators.

2. Powerplay came alive on the road at last

Prior to tonight, the Senators had not scored a powerplay goal on the road since Dec. 1 against the Anaheim Ducks.

After five consecutive road games without a powerplay goal, the Senators finally ended their drought. Tim Stutzle scored a powerplay goal in the first period to record his 40th point of the season. Just 4:03 into the second period, Ridly Greig scored a powerplay goal to make it 2-0 Senators. Greig's goal was his 10th point of the season.

The Senators' quick 2-0 lead appeared that things were headed in the right direction with having powerplay success. Then, it all went ugly.

1. No turning off the Jets

The Jets came into the game with the second-best record in the NHL with a 25-10-1 record. There's always a reason why a team is that good. Against the Senators, the Jets showed why they are that good of a team.

After trailing 2-0 just 4:03 into the second period, Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele each scored a goal in a 2:15 span to tie the game at two with under five minutes to go in the second period. At the conclusion of the second period, the game was tied at two. Sogaard's goal he allowed to Scheifele on a backhander is one he would like to have back.

At 9:07 of the third period, Mads Sogaard received a tripping penalty that put the Jets on the powerplay. Gabriel Vilardi scored a powerplay goal to give the Jets a 3-2 lead off of Sogaard's penalty. Just 1:32 later, Nikolaj Ehlers scored to give the Jets a 4-2 lead.

Sogaard started the game for the Senators with Ullmark and Forsberg both injured. Sogaard could not match up better than Connor Hellebuyck, one of the top goaltenders in the NHL. Throughout the game, the Jets applied pressure on Sogaard, who finished with 19 saves. Hellebuyck earned the win with making 32 saves.

Prior to tonight, Sogaard had played just one game this season where he allowed in four goals in a relief performance of Forsberg earlier this season on Oct. 14. Tonight was Sogaard's first start since March 6, 2024. Sogaard is still struggling at 24 years old in the NHL so far.

The Senators have a quick turnaround in under 24 hours as they play the Minnesota Wild tomorrow night at Xcel Energy Center at 8 p.m. ET in their final game of 2024. The Wild currently have a 22-10-4 record.