3 takeaways from Senators' third preseason win over Canadiens

The Ottawa Senators were looking to snap their two-game losing streak in the 2024 preseason when the team traveled to Bell Centre to take on the Montreal Canadiens. Even when the Senators looked down and out in the second period, they refused to give up and found a way to get momentum on their side.

The Senators defeated the Canadiens 4-3 last night to improve to 3-1-1 in the 2024 preseason. The Senators were down 2-0 in the second period and would score four unanswered goals to help give them the win. Linus Ullmark secured the win when he made a spectacular glove save on Jake Evans with 1:20 remaining in the third period to keep the score 4-3.

"Without a doubt, he's a good goalie," said head coach Travis Green after the game in his postgame interview.

Another win brought out more positives in the game. Ullmark played the entire game and made 29 saves. Eight different Senators recorded one point, and three players recorded two points.

3. Captain sparks team and momentum was gained

There are reasons that go into choosing a captain for an NHL team. Brady Tkachuk serves as the captain of the Senators. Last night, Tkachuk showed why he is the captain.

With just over 10 minutes remaining in the second period and the Senators trailing 2-0, Tim Stutzle was elbowed in the face by Arber Xhekaj. When Stutzle went down on the ice, Tkachuk stood up for his teammate, fought Xhekaj, and took him down. Xhekaj received a game misconduct.

The Senators scored three goals on the five-minute major and took a 3-2 lead into the second intermission. Michael Amadio and Ridly Greig scored their first goals of the preseason, and Adam Gaudette scored his third goal of the preseason on the man advantage. Drake Batherson added two assists as well.

If Xhekaj not taken the major penalty, the Senators may not have gotten a chance to swing momentum with scoring three powerplay goals.

2. Powerplay success strikes again

The Senators began the preseason without scoring a powerplay goal in their first two games. Now, they have scored a powerplay goal in two of the last three preseason games. Last night, the powerplay was responsible for the team's success in the win.

All four of Ottawa's goals last night were scored on the powerplay. Three came in the second period after the major penalty by Xhekaj, and the fourth goal was scored by Carter Yakemchuk under two minutes into the third period.

"I was happy that we scored on the powerplay Green said. "Got going, simplified it a little bit. And, you know, obviously our powerplay was a big part of our win."

Ottawa's powerplay can continue to be a big part of its success in the regular season. Having four powerplay goals scored in a game shows the offense is able to generate chances, and Ottawa will have its big offensive threats on the ice to score.

1. Carter Yakemchuk deserves to be on the opening night roster

When Yakemchuk was drafted seventh overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Senators hoped he would develop quickly. Yakemchuk started the 2024 preseason on a high note scoring the overtime winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2024 preseason opener. Now in his third preseason game, Yakemchuk has shown the Senators again that he deserves to be on the opening night roster.

Yakemchuk recorded his second two-point game of the preseason, and his powerplay goal to make it 4-2 in the third period would be the game-winning goal.

"Every single game I get more and more confident," Yalemchuk said in his postgame interview. "More and more comfortable. So, I think just got to keep it rolling from here.

In three games, Yakemchuk has combined for five points. Both of his goals in the preseason have been game winning goals. Yakemchuk has shown he can play the powerplay and is getting used to NHL pace fast even with turning 19 years old this past Sunday.

"He's a quick learner," Green said postgame. "And, he did it again tonight. He looked a little behind to start the game, and then all of a sudden, he looked like he figured out the pace."

The Senators will have a back-to-back to close out the 2024 preseason. The first game will be on Friday at 7 p.m. ET when the Senators travel to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.