After a much needed 2-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs last night, the Ottawa Senators would conclude their fourth back-to-back of 2025 already against the Utah Hockey Club.
Ottawa defeated Utah in the first meeting of the season in Salt Lake City 4-0 on Oct. 22. With Utah making its first ever trip to Canada's capital, it's a trip they'd like to forget.
Ottawa defeated Utah 3-1 at Canadian Tire Centre to improve to 26-20-4 on the season. With the win, Ottawa swept its first ever season series against Utah.
Along with sweeping the season series against Utah, Ottawa moved into third place in the Atlantic Division with the win. Ottawa now has 56 points to continue to show big strides this season.
3. Shorthanded specialist
Prior to this season, Ridly Greig had only recorded one shorthanded point in his career. This season, Greig has taken a big step with being a top player when the Senators are on the penalty kill.
With the game scoreless in the second period, the Senators found themselves shorthanded. Shane Pinto and Greig had a 2-on-1 chance, and Pinto would deliver a pass for Greig and he scored the first goal of the game.
Ridly Greig gets the Senators on the board first 😎 pic.twitter.com/RGKTmPd5Bj
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 26, 2025
The goal put Greig at seven goals for the season and ended a 12-game goal drought. Two of Greig's goals and three of his points this season have come shorthanded. Greig continues to be a big help when the Senators are shorthanded.
2. Coming alive in the third period
Ottawa and Utah headed into the second intermission with the game tied at one. When Ottawa needed its main players to rise to the occasion, they came through.
At 7:33 of the third period, Claude Giroux scored the give Ottawa a 2-1 lead. The goal was Giroux's 360th career goal. Just 5:49 later, captain Brady Tkachuk extended the lead to 3-1.
Giroux slides in a sweet backhand 🤩 pic.twitter.com/JPaqyUWarG
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 27, 2025
Giroux's goal ended a 13-game goal drought and it would also be his 56th career game-winning goal. Giroux also picked up an assist on Tkachuk's goal to now have 1,099 career points. For Tkachuk, his goal ended a 10-game goal drought and 10-game pointless streak. Tim Stutzle recorded an assist on both goals to now have 48 points this season.
1. Another strong strong start in goal
Anton Forsberg earned a big win against the Maple Leafs by allowing in one goal. With the back-to-back on the schedule, Leevi Merilainen would get the start against Utah.
Merilainen struggled in his past two starts by allowing in a career high five goals last Saturday against the Boston Bruins. Then, Merilainen would get pulled this past Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Against Utah, Merilainen found his confidence again.
Merilainen made 33 saves against Utah to improve to 7-3-1 on the season. In five out of 10 starts this season, Merilainen has allowed in one goal or less.
Both Forsberg and Merilainen came through big this weekend by allowing in one goal in their start to help Ottawa earn to big wins on back-to-back days.
The Senators will have to wait until Thursday night to return to action when they host the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. ET. The Capitals won the first meeting 1-0 in Ottawa on Jan. 16 when Alex Ovechkin scored the game winner in overtime.