2025 is now 26 days in, but that isn't stopping the Ottawa Senators from playing many games to start the new year. For the fourth time in January, the Senators will conclude a back-to-back, this time against the Utah Hockey Club.
Ottawa earned a big 2-1 win last night against the Toronto Maple Leafs to improve to 25-20-4 on the season. Now, Ottawa can sweep the first ever season series against Utah.
Ottawa welcomes Utah for the first time ever
For the first time ever, Ottawa hosts Utah at Canadian Tire Centre. Puck drop for the game is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.
Last night against Toronto was a hard fought win. After Anton Forsberg allowed a goal to Bobby McMann 3:46 into the game, Forsberg stood tall and didn't allow in another goal for the remainder of game. Forsberg's start last night was the third consecutive start in which he allowed in one goal.
Tim Stutzle and Shane Pinto scored the goals for Ottawa to help them earn a much needed win. Pinto's goal was his ninth goal of the season. Four of Pinto's nine goals this season are game-winning goals after his goal last night.
Although the win was needed, Ottawa suffered a blow when Nick Cousins had to leave the game after a knee-on-knee collision in the first period. Head coach Travis Green said Cousins would be "out for awhile" after the game.
As for Utah, they come into tonight's game with a 21-20-7 record. Utah had its three-game winning streak snapped in its last game on Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets by losing 5-2.
Clayton Keller leads Utah with 17 goals, 36 assists and 53 points; Logan Cooley is second on the team in points with 42; Dylan Guenther is second on the team in goals with 16.
Ottawa and Utah played each other for the first time this season on Oct. 22 in Salt Lake City. Ottawa won 4-0 behind a 31-save shutout by Forsberg. In the first period, Ottawa got all its scoring by scoring four goals in the period.