Three Takeaways as the Senators Dominate the Wild 6-0

The Ottawa Senators delivered an impressive 6-0 win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night, wrapping up a perfect 4-0-0 homestand. With a dominant game across the board, the Senators had a standout night, from Leevi Merilainen’s shutout in net to their high-powered offense. According to Sportsnet stats, the Senators are an NHL-best 21-3-0 when scoring first this season.

The game started on an interesting note as the crowd booed the U.S. National Anthem before enthusiastically singing the Canadian anthem. With all of the Tariffs-related talk this week, it was clear the Canadian crowd was trying to send a message.

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The Three Key Takeaways from the Senators’ Win

The Senators received a standing ovation for playing a near-perfect game, winning 6-0 and putting up 52 shots. Their +36 shots on goal differential Saturday night was the 2nd highest in franchise history. Here are the three key takeaways from the game:

Takeaway One: Rookie Goalie Leevi Merilainen Shines with Another Shutout

Rookie goalie Leevi Merilainen was a key factor in Ottawa’s success last night. He stopped 16 shots to gain his third shutout of the season. His composed and efficient play in the crease helped the Senators dominate without relying on heavy defensive support. Putting up another great game, Merilainen continues to impress as a reliable young goalie for Ottawa.

Takeaway Two: Ottawa’s Power Play and Special Teams Were Explosive

The Senators made the most of their power-play chances. They drew a whopping eight penalties during the game and finished three-for-eight. Their special teams continued their strong run. The Senators also scored a short-handed goal for the second straight game. The Wild played an undisciplined game on the other side of the ice. This gave Ottawa tons of chances to capitalize, including a major penalty by Ryan Hartman for his dirty play on Tim Stutzle.

Hartman has received the option of an in-person hearing with the NHL DoPS, so it appears the incident and his history of suspensions are going to catch up to him. Expect Hartman to be suspended longer than five games.

Takeaway Three: Ottawa’s Strong Offensive Attack Powered Their Win

Ottawa’s offense was on fire. Jake Sanderson put up a four-point game with a goal and three assists. Stutzle added a goal and two assists. The Senators got production from several players, including Brady Tkachuk, Josh Norris, and Michael Amadio. The team’s well-rounded offense demonstrated the kind of depth the team has started to execute in all areas.

The Bottom Line for the Senators

The Senators have made a breakthrough this season. They continue to put together some really strong games. While few are as dominant as this 6-0 win over the Wild, their goalie play, strong special teams, and balanced offense are beginning to rule the day. Last night, Ottawa also capitalized on Minnesota’s mistakes and maintained pressure throughout the game. The result? Another key win.

Don’t look now, but the Senators seem firmly on their way to the postseason.

Related: Senators News & Rumors: Forsberg, Chabot, and Sanderson