Ottawa dominated at five-on-five, controlled the final 40 minutes, and closed a seven-game road trip with a win that moved them ahead of all Canadian teams in points.
The Ottawa Senators earned a decisive 5–2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on December 2 at the Bell Centre, a win shaped by a dominant second period and strong performances from Brady Tkachuk and Fabian Zetterlund.
Ottawa overcame an early Montreal goal, controlled the final 40 minutes, and closed out a seven-game road trip with a 4–3–0 record, pushing them to 13-9-4 and 30 points.
That total temporarily placed the Senators ahead of all Canadian teams in raw points, according to updated NHL standings.
How the Game Unfolded
Montreal opened the scoring just 3:37 into the first period when Juraj Slafkovsky finished a power-play tap-in after a sharp puck-movement sequence involving Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki.
Ottawa responded only 24 seconds later when Fabian Zetterlund fired a shot from the slot that beat Samuel Montembeault and immediately erased the Canadiens’ lead.
Ottawa then took control late in the period when Artem Zub jumped into space, collected a behind-the-back pass from Tkachuk, and scored to give Ottawa a 2–1 advantage heading into intermission.
The second period was the turning point. Ottawa broke the game wide open with two goals in just over a minute, first from Jake Sanderson off sustained zone pressure and then from Drake Batherson after Montreal again failed to cover the slot.
The Canadiens briefly regained momentum when Suzuki scored on the power play at 8:50 of the period, but the Senators retained control entering the third with a 4–2 lead.
Ottawa sealed the win late in the game when Tkachuk found space on a delayed penalty and snapped home his first goal of the season, securing a 5–2 final.
Ottawa Controls Even-Strength Play
Ottawa’s control of the game was rooted in their five-on-five play. After an even first few minutes, the Senators began winning the physical battles, establishing possession, and dictating the pace. Their ability to advance the puck through the middle of the ice allowed them to sustain pressure and tilt the rink in their favor.
By the second period, that momentum had turned into full territorial dominance. Ottawa consistently penetrated the slot, forcing Montreal’s defenders into reactive positions and exposing gaps in their coverage.
Montreal’s structure deteriorated under this pressure, with defenders missing assignments, rotating late, and failing to protect the front of the net.
Those structural issues directly led to goals by Jake Sanderson, Drake Batherson, and Artem Zub, each of whom found open lanes in the high-danger areas left unattended.
Montreal, meanwhile, generated almost no pushback at even strength. Their forecheck rarely connected, possession broke down quickly, and many shifts ended with hurried clears or extended defensive-zone time.
Postgame comments from the team acknowledged these problems, pointing to ongoing lapses in slot coverage and breakdowns in defensive execution as key factors in the loss.
Special Teams and Goaltending
The Canadiens generated almost all of their offence on the power play, scoring both goals with the man advantage through Slafkovsky and Suzuki, with Caufield assisting on each.
At even strength, however, Montreal created virtually no high-danger chances and relied heavily on special teams to stay in the game.
Ottawa’s penalty kill struggled on the first attempt but tightened up afterward, allowing the Canadiens only sporadic looks for the remainder of the night.
Goaltending also tilted in Ottawa’s favor. Linus Ullmark made 19 saves and was steady, particularly at even strength.
Montembeault, meanwhile, finished with 24 saves on 29 shots and an .828 save percentage, struggling to track Ottawa’s slot attacks and overcommitting on several goals.
Montembeault allowed five goals in a game where the team in front of him struggled defensively, and he was unable to deliver the timely, stabilizing saves needed to keep the Canadiens within reach.
Standout Performances
Brady Tkachuk delivered his best performance since returning from injury, recording a goal and an assist while driving Ottawa’s physical and offensive tempo.
His third-period insurance goal was both symbolic and decisive. Zetterlund also had a two-point night, scoring the crucial first-period equalizer and assisting on Zub’s go-ahead goal.
Ottawa also benefited from scoring throughout the lineup. Sanderson, Batherson, and Zub each found the back of the net, reflecting how effectively the Senators’ defense and depth contributed offensively.
Montreal’s bright spots were limited to the top power-play unit, as the bottom six and much of the blue line were overwhelmed throughout the game.
Why This Win Matters
For the Senators, the victory was an important divisional result that capped a difficult road trip and pushed them to the top among Canadian teams in total points.
It also marked key steps forward for players like Tkachuk, who had battled injuries, and Zetterlund, who continues to elevate his impact.
Ottawa’s consistent five-on-five structure and balanced scoring were central to this win and could serve as a blueprint for maintaining momentum in a competitive Atlantic Division.
For Montreal, the result reinforced a familiar pattern.
Their power play remains effective, but weak five-on-five structure, defensive coverage issues, and subpar goaltending numbers continue to undermine competitive efforts.
If these problems persist, the Canadiens may struggle to keep pace in the standings despite flashes of skill from their top players.