3 takeaways from Senators' dominating 5-1 win against Ducks

After a 4-2 loss on Sunday against the New York Islanders, the Ottawa Senators remained at home to close out their four-game home stand against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Senators entered looking to avenge their 4-3 shootout loss against the Ducks from Dec. 1 in Anaheim. In the second meeting in 10 nights, the Senators dominated the Ducks.

The Senators defeated the Ducks 5-1 at Canadian Tire Centre to improve to 13-13-2 on the season. The Senators capped off their four-game home stand going 3-1-0.

Ottawa capping off the home stand with earning three out of a possible four wins was a great way to gain momentum before the back-to-back scheduled for Friday and Saturday. A dominating game from start to finish was a game Ottawa needed to have after Sunday's loss.

3. Setting the tone early was pivotal

In the first period, the Senators came out attacking from all angles on offense. The Senators recorded 19 shots on goal in the period and scored three goals to set an early tone for the game.

Noah Gregor scored his third goal of the season just 2:55 into the game. After Gregor's goal, Drake Batherson scored two powerplay goals to give the Senators a 3-0 heading into the first intermission.

With the offense setting the tone early in the first period, it put the Ducks in a hole early that they couldn't get out of. The Senators continued their hot firing offense by scoring one goal in the second period and third period.

2. Remaining hot in between the pipes

After allowing in 17 goals in a four-game stretch in November, which included five goals allowed in back-to-back starts, the concern around Linus Ullmark grew worse. However, Ullmark has responded in terrific fashion with his goaltending play.

With earning the win against the Ducks, Ullmark is now 4-0-1 in his last five starts. Ullmark made 31 saves against the Ducks to earn his eighth win of the season.

In three of the past five games, Ullmark made at least 30 saves. Over the past three games, Ullmark has allowed in just one goal.

Ullmark remaining hot is what the Senators have needed to remain alive in the Eastern Conference. When Ullmark is hot in between the pipes, the rest of the Senators gets more confident.

1. Put more respect on his name

Prior to the start of this season, Batherson entered as one of the most underrated players in the NHL. Against the Ducks, Batherson showed why he deserves more respect around the NHL.

At 11:15 of the first period, Batherson scored his 100th career goal on the powerplay. While the goal needed to be reviewed, the wait was worth it for Batherson.

After scoring his 100th career goal, Batherson's night only got better. Batherson scored again on the powerplay 7:10 later after his first powerplay goal in the first period.

At 10:30 of the second period, Batherson scored to extend the Senators lead to 4-0 to complete the natural hat trick. It was Batherson's first hat trick since Oct. 27, 2021, and the first natural hat trick by a Senator since Dec. 11, 2021 by Brady Tkachuk. Batherson also added an assist on Tkachuk's powerplay goal in the third period.

With his four-point game against the Ducks, Batherson now has 32 points on the season with 12 of his points being goals to continue his phenomenal season. Batherson now has the second most points on the Senators roster behind Tim Stutzle.

The Senators will return to action on Friday night when they travel to Lenovo Center to take on the Carolina Hurricanes at 7 p.m. ET. The Senators were shutout by the Hurricanes 4-0 in the first meeting in Raleigh on Nov. 16.