3 takeaways from Senators' 3-1 win against Predators

After defeating the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in regulation, the Ottawa Senators continued their four-game home stand against the struggling Nashville Predators.

The Predators had come into Ottawa losing their past six games. In chilly Ottawa, the Predators' struggles continued once again.

The Senators defeated the Predators at Canadian Tire Centre to improve to 12-12-2 on the season. The Senators extended the Predators losing streak to seven consecutive games.

Since losing five games in a row, the Senators are now 4-1-1 in their last six games. With a good six-game stretch, the Senators are fighting to remain alive in the Eastern Conference.

3. One player who needed consistency has found it

One player that was struggling deeply on the Senators was Nick Cousins. After recording an assist on Nov. 2, Cousins went pointless in the next 10 games. Cousins had become a growing problem with his inability to produce offense and having low ice time.

Now, Cousins has found consistency. Cousins scored a big insurance goal to make it 3-0 with 7:23 remaining in the third period. It was Cousins' second goal in the past three games, and his third goal of the season. Cousins also had a 13-game goal drought prior to scoring on Dec. 1.

Cousins being able to produce offense will always add an extra boost. Now that Cousins has scored in two of the past three games, it makes the Senators' offense stronger.

2. Monkey off the back at last

Defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker got playing time when Artem Zub suffered a concussion in the Senators' third game of the season. Bernard-Docker had found consistency with Zub out of the lineup.

However, once Zub was healthy to return on Nov. 7, Bernard-Docker would be scratched and not play in the next six games. Bernard-Docker would get the chance to play again on Nov. 21 against the Vegas Golden Knights, but wouldn't play in the next game against the Vancouver Canucks after recording a -2 rating against the Golden Knights.

After not playing in the Canucks game, Bernard-Docker has played in every game since for the Senators. Against the Predators, Bernard-Docker finally got the monkey off his back.

Bernard-Docker scored the first goal of the game 5:07 into the second period on a beautiful shot past Predators goaltender Jusse Saros. It was Bernard-Docker's first goal since Jan. 9, 2024.

1. One Senator continues to own the Predators

With a back-to-back on the schedule, head coach Travis Green decided to start Linus Ullmark against the Predators. Prior to tonight, Ullmark was 1-1-0 against the Predators, but had allowed in one goal in the two starts. Ullmark recorded a shutout against the Predators in his last game started against the Predators on April 2, 2024, when he was a member of the Boston Bruins.

Despite being in a new jersey, Ullmark's success against the Predators continued. Ullmark made 37 saves to earn the win, including 17 saves in the third period.

Ullmark is now 3-0-1 in his last four starts. For the second consecutive start, Ullmark allowed in just one goal. Ullmark's strong play over the past four starts was needed badly after having a stretch in November of allowing in 17 goals in four starts with two games of allowing in five goals.

The Senators will return to action tomorrow to wrap up a back-to-back. The Senators will host the Islanders at 5 p.m. ET. The Islanders defeated the Senators 4-2 on Nov. 7 in Ottawa in the first of three meetings this season.