3 takeaways from Senators' 3-1 win against Wild in Minnesota

After a 4-2 loss last night against the Winnipeg Jets, the Ottawa Senators headed to St. Paul to play the Minnesota Wild in their final game of 2024.

Going from the best team in the Central Division to the second best in the Central on a back-to-back is tough for any team, but the Senators were able to respond in a huge way.

The Senators defeated the Wild 3-1 at Xcel Energy Center to improve to 19-15-2 on the season. The win marked the first time since March 31, 2016, that the Senators won a game in Minnesota.

A win against the Wild was needed after losing to the Jets for the Senators. The win kept the Senators at the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference after the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the New York Islanders 3-2 earlier today.

3. Surprising hot stretch to close out 2024

When Dec. 17 arrived, Ridly Greig had only recorded seven points in 27 games played. Since Dec. 17, Greig has been hot with offensive production.

Over the past six games, Greig has now recorded four points. Of those four points, three have been goals. Against the Wild, Greig scored a goal at 1:47 of the second period to tie the game at one.

Greig's goal helped him pick up a goal in back-to-back games, as well as scoring a goal in three of the past five games. A hot stretch to close out 2024 was needed for Greig after having a slow start through the first 27 games he played in.

2. Clutch on powerplay

The Senators and Wild headed into the second intermission with the game tied at one. Last night against the Jets, the Senators allowed two goals in the third period after the game was tied at two heading into the second intermission.

At 9:03 of the third period, the Senators earned their first powerplay, but failed. Twelve seconds after their first powerplay failed, the Senators received another powerplay chance. This time, failing was not an option.

With 7:18 remaining in regulation, Josh Norris scored on the second powerplay attempt to give the Senators a 2-1 lead. It was Norris' 14th goal of the season, which is now second on the Senators. Norris' goal would turn out to be the game-winning goal.

1. Out-dueling one of the best

With a back-to-back, Leevi Merilainen would get the start in goal for the Senators against Minnesota's Filip Gustavsson. Despite being 22 years old and only playing in his fifth career NHL game, Merilainen would out-duel one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.

After allowing in one goal in the first period, Merilainen stood tall the rest of the game. Merilainen made 30 saves to earn his second career NHL win, including 15 saves in the third period. Merilainen's biggest save came in the third period when the Senators allowed the Wild to have a 2-on-1 while being on the powerplay. Merilainen is 2-0-0 when he starts this season.

With the second back-to-back concluded on the nine-game road trip, the Senators now can have a couple of days off before getting back to work. Three road games remain on the road trip, with two of the three teams currently out of the 2025 playoffs if the season ended today.

The Senators will return to action on Jan. 2 when they take on the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center at 8 p.m. ET. Over the past three seasons, the Senators have won four of six games against the Stars.