The Ottawa Senators' 5-2 loss on Tuesday night to the Columbus Blue Jackets last was erased when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Detroit Red Wings to help the Senators clinch a spot in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Then, it was time for the Senators to take on the Canadiens.
The Senators fell in all three meetings against the Canadiens this season prior to the fourth and final meeting. In three games combined, the Canadiens outscored the Senators 15-6. In the final meeting of the season, there would be no sweep.
The Senators defeated the Canadiens 5-2 at Canadian Tire Centre. With the win, the Senators improved to 43-30-6 on the season.
The Canadiens had aspirations of cliching a playoff spot if they were to defeat the Senators in regulation. The Senators would have no intention of the Canadiens celebrating on their home ice.
3. Fast start sets the tone
The Senators came out of the gate flying offensively that would pay off. Just 28 seconds into the game, Shane Pinto scored on a perfect pass from Michael Amadio to score his 19th goal of the season.
Less than four minutes later, the Senators scored another goal. This time it was from Dylan Cozens to extend the Senators lead to 2-0. Cozens recorded his fourth goal and 11th point as a Senator since being traded over.
11/10 way to open the game, still no notes#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/G1aQFQq0bq
— X - Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 11, 2025
Two goals scored by the Senators 4:18 into the game would help them set the tone early and gain confidence throughout the game.
2. Underrated signing continues to pay off
This past free agency, Amadio signed a three-year contract with the Senators. It was Amadio's second tenure with the Senators after he played in five games with the Senators in the 2020-21 season. Amadio's second Senators tenure has gone way better than his first.
After recording an assist on Pinto's goal in the first period, Amadio delivered another perfect pass for Ridly Greig to tip-in for a goal just 1:05 into the second period to make it 3-0 Senators.
With his two assists against the Canadiens, Amadio set a new career-high for assists in a single season with 15. Along with his 15 assists, Amadio is now at 26 points on the season, one point shy of tying his career-high for a single season.
10/10 way to open the game, no notes #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/WrmP7OItEC
— X - Ottawa Senators (@Senators) April 11, 2025
Amadio has continued to be one of the most underrated signings from this Summer with a new career-high in assists and his playoff experience that he has brought to the Senators.
1. Montreal demons exercised in goal
Linus Ullmark had started all three games against the Canadiens this season. In the three games combined, Ullmark allowed in 13 goals. In the previous meeting in Ottawa on Feb. 22, Ullmark was pulled against the Canadiens after he allowed in five goals.
In the final meeting against the Canadiens, Ullmark was strong with making 20 saves to earn his 24th win of the season. Eleven of Ullmark's saves came in the second period.
The Senators will rely on Ullmark to be strong in goal during the playoffs. In a game that had a playoff atmosphere in the building, Ullmark was strong to help the Senators earn a pivotal win.
With the win, the Senators now have a five-point cushion on the Canadiens. With 92 points now, the Senators trail the Florida Panthers by four points for the third seed in the Atlantic Division.
The Senators will return to action on Sunday afternoon when they take on the Philadelphia Flyers for the third and final time this season. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
In two games against the Flyers, the Senators earned three of a possible four points. In the last meeting on March 11 in Philadelphia, the Senators won 5-2.