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Linus Ullmark, Ottawa Senators (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Senators News & Rumours: Ullmark, Stutzle, Tkachuk & Sanderson

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Mar 2, 2025 1:05 PM ET

On Saturday, the Ottawa Senators ended their five-game skid with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the Canadian Tire Centre. Despite being down 2-1 entering the third period, the Senators roared back to score four goals in the final period to win.

Tim Stutzle extended his point streak to 11 games and contributed a goal and an assist. He scored a key go-ahead goal in the third period. Brady Tkachuk also returned by scoring the game-tying goal early in the third. The Senators’ strong finish was helped by solid games from Shane Pinto, who opened the scoring with a shorthanded breakaway goal, and Ridly Greig, whose two assists helped carry the comeback.

The game also saw Linus Ullmark make 34 saves. Congratulations to him for earning his first win since Dec. 19. As noted, the Senators’ offense came alive in the final period, with David Perron and Michael Amadio contributing to the win. Amadio sealed the game with an empty-netter.

Item 1: Ullmark’s Effort Pays Off with a Win Against San Jose

Linus Ullmark helped pull off a much-needed 5-3 win over the Sharks. The 31-year-old goalie made 34 saves, including stopping all six high-danger chances he faced. It was Ullmark’s first win in his last five starts since returning from injury.

Over that stretch, he had given up 18 goals in four games. However, it’s hard to say it was his fault. His team had given up a huge number of shots (174 shots) in those games. In short, he was heavily tested. Except for one really rough game where he was pulled after allowing five goals, Ullmark’s performance has been strong, with a .918 save percentage in the other four starts.

Ullmark’s play on Saturday was a much-needed boost for a Senators team that has struggled to limit scoring chances. Despite the team’s defensive lapses, Ullmark stepped up to show the form that made him reliable earlier in the season. His solid play helped Ottawa snap their losing streak. If the team can tighten up defensively, Ullmark’s workload should be lighter in future games.

Item 2: Stutzle Continues His Hot Streak

Tim Stutzle pushed his point streak to 11 games with a goal and an assist. The assist came on the power play, and Stutzle now has 16 points (four goals and 12 assists) during his impressive streak. His season total sits at 61 points, including 19 goals and 42 assists, in 59 games.

After a rough 20-game stretch from Dec. 13 to Jan. 23, where he scored only five goals and added four assists, Stutzle has turned things around. Apart from then, he’s scored 52 points (15 goals and 38 assists) in 39 games. This puts him on a top-10 scoring pace. Is his best just around the corner? If so, watch out for the Senators.

Item 3: Tkachuk Returns From Injury with a Power-Play Goal

Brady Tkachuk made an immediate impact in his return from injury. Not only did he score a power-play goal, but he fired six shots on the net and was physical all game long. Not surprisingly, he was in the thick of it, engaging in a few scrums, shoving matches, and picking up two minor penalties.

While Tkachuk’s ice time was under 18 minutes (17:48), he was constantly involved. Tkachuk has a knack for being fully engaged in every game he plays. He can score, get involved physically, and provide leadership. These attributes make him an elite NHL player. Few others currently play like him in the NHL.

Item Four: Sanderson Leaves Saturday’s Game with Neck Injury

In some unfortunate news for the Senators, Jake Sanderson left Saturday’s game after taking a hit to the neck. There’s no update on his status yet, but his absence could be a blow to the team if he can’t go. Sanderson had already registered an assist in th e game, bringing his total to 37 points in 58 games. That’s just one point shy of matching his point total from last season.

He’s undoubtedly the Senators’ top defenseman this year. As a result, any extended absence would leave a hole in the blue line.

What’s Next for the Senators?

The Senators are in a tight playoff race, just two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the last spot. The good news is that they have a game in hand. But with the tight playoff picture, they’ll need to go on a bit of a roll to secure their place. The key will be stringing together wins like the one against San Jose, where they showed the ability to battle back.

Next, they’ll face the Washington Capitals on Monday, a crucial game they can’t afford to drop if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. It’s time for the Senators to build momentum for the season’s final stretch.