NHL News

Senators Quick Hits: Sanderson, Stützle & the Atlantic Division

This season, the Ottawa Senators are the real deal. Can their recent five-game winning streak push them further up the Atlantic Division?

by
Old Prof
February 4, 2025

Last night, the Ottawa Senators continued their impressive run with their win over the Nashville Predators. It was the Senators’ fifth win, and the team leveraged key contributions from Jake Sanderson and Tim Stutzle, and Ottawa is gaining ground in the Atlantic Division.

Quick Hit One: Sanderson Matches Senators’ Franchise Record

Jake Sanderson’s goal and assist helped the Senators rally after an early deficit to come back for the 5-2 win. Sanderson scored for the third straight game with a goal. That ties the franchise record for the longest scoring streak by a defenseman. This was his second career five-game point streak. He’s clearly becoming one of Ottawa’s top players.

Quick Hit Two: Stutzle Hits 300 Career Points

Tim Stützle also reached a significant milestone when he registered his 300th career point. At only 23 years, 19 days old, he became the youngest player in Senators history to reach this milestone. By doing so, he passed the great Marian Hossa. Stützle is now the second-fastest German-born player to reach 300 points, trailing only Dany Heatley.

Quick Hit Three: Senators Are Rising in the Atlantic Division

The Senators have had a strong season in the Atlantic, with a 53-29-20-4 record. They’ve already put up 62 points. They’ve been solid at home (16-7-2) and on the road (13-13-2). Their five-game win streak reflects their recent momentum. The team has averaged 3.3 goals per game and boasts a solid penalty-kill rate of 65%.

With the win, Ottawa keeps pace in the tight Atlantic Division race. They now sit just two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Senators have recorded multiple five-game winning streaks this season for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.

What’s Next for the Senators?

Can the Senators push their winning streak even further? Can they climb further up the Atlantic Division standings? Players like Sanderson and Stützle are leading the way but aren’t alone. Even with Linus Ullmark out for 18 games with an injury, the Senators’ goalie play has been solid.

This team’s playoff push is the real deal. As the Sens gain momentum, they will continue challenging the top teams in the Atlantic. Funny, they are becoming one of those top teams themselves. At the start of the season, few would have thought that to be possible.