3 takeaways from Senators' 3-0 shutout win at home against Kraken
The Ottawa Senators returned home to conclude their first set of back-to-back games after a 2-1 loss against the New York Rangers last night in New York City.
With little time to prepare for the Seattle Kraken, the Senators needed to throw away yesterday's gut wrenching defeat quickly, and they did with a strong home win.
The Senators defeated the Kraken 3-0 at Canadian Tire Centre to improve to 6-5-0 on the season, and dropped the Kraken to 5-6-1 to make them now drop five of their last six games. The Senators responded to Henrik Lundqvist's high praise yesterday for their intensity, and dominated the Kraken throughout the entire game.
A win at home was needed for the Senators after playing the Rangers tough last night in defeat. Now the Senators can have two days off before hitting the road again on Tuesday.
3. The Senators are completely comfortable playing at home and are a much better team
The Senators have had issues playing on the road this season as the team is 1-4-0. However, the Senators have been comfortable and playing better at home.
With today's win, the Senators are now 5-1-0 at home this season. The Senators' playing well at home has caused them to be a surprising team in the Atlantic Division so far this season.
With defeating the Kraken tonight, the Senators have outscored their opponents at home by 12. On the road, the Senators have been outscored by three.
Playing at home is always crucial in the NHL, but the Senators have been dominant at home to start the season and earning wins.
2. Forsberg appears to be back and goaltending is off to a strong start in November
With a back-to-back on the schedule, Linus Ullmark got the start yesterday against the Rangers' elite offense and only allowed in two goals. That would mean Anton Forsberg would get the start tonight against the Kraken.
After recording a 31-save shutout on Oct. 22 against the Utah Hockey Club, Forsberg allowed in four goals in his next start last Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche with allowing in two goals in the third period after the Senators tied the game in the third period.
Concerns appeared to be rising again with Forsberg after his start against the Avalanche, but tonight he delivered a strong performance against the Kraken. Forsberg made 22 saves to earn his second shutout of the season.
ANTON FORSBERG. #GoSensGo https://t.co/A4LLl5Dqwk pic.twitter.com/l1X9D839pr
— Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) November 3, 2024
Two games into November, the Senators' goaltending is off to an impressive strong start with Ullmark and Forsberg. The two goaltenders combined have allowed in two goals and have improved drastically in goal since the end of Senators' three-game West Coast road trip last Sunday.
1. One Senator can't stop scoring goals and has been a huge offensive surprise
Entering this season, Adam Gaudette needed to have a bounce back season after only playing in two games last season with the St. Louis Blues. Gaudette's two games with the Blues was the first time he played in the NHL since the 2021-22 season.
Gaudette has bounced back huge this season with the ability to score goals for the Senators. Gaudette's goal at 5:28 into the game would turn out to be the game-winning goal, but his offensive stretch has gotten even more incredible.
It's nice to have the Hockey Gaud on our side 🙏#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/btGAptwkX6
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) November 2, 2024
Gaudette has now scored in four of the past five games, and is tied for second on the Senators in goals with six. That's because Brady Tkachuk's goal scored in the second period moved him into first place after scoring in the second period, and Tim Stutzle's empty-net goal in the third period was his sixth goal of the season.
The Senators needed to get an extra offensive push from a player who can score goals outside of their top offensive players, and so far it has been Gaudette this season. Gaudette hasn't been known to score goals, but is changing that in Travis Green's system.
The Senators will return to action on Tuesday night after a two-day rest when they travel to KeyBank Center to take on the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo. The Senators and Sabres each won two games against each other last season. The Sabres have now lost three games in a row after tonight's 2-1 loss against the Detroit Red Wings.