In a solid start to their 2024-25 NHL campaign, the Ottawa Senators defeated the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers 3-1 on Thursday night. Linus Ullmark, in his first game for the Senators, was the standout, making 30 saves and helping secure the season-opening victory.
Ullmark’s strong performance in goal gave Ottawa the stability they needed against a Florida team that entered the contest with momentum following a 6-4 win over Boston earlier in the week. He was particularly clutch late in the third period, preserving Ottawa’s 2-1 lead with crucial stops against Anton Lundell, Mackie Samoskevich, and Carter Verhaeghe.
The Senators took control early, capitalizing on a first-period power play when Tim Stützle opened the scoring. Shane Pinto added to the lead later in the period, putting Ottawa ahead 2-0. While Florida struggled to generate offensive momentum in the early stages, their efforts improved in the third period when Gustav Forsling scored with 4:12 remaining to cut Ottawa’s lead to 2-1.
With time winding down and the Panthers pressing for an equalizer, Ullmark and the Senators’ defense stood firm. Ottawa’s commitment to a stronger defensive approach was evident throughout the game, as they blocked 27 shots, making life difficult for the Panthers’ attack.
As Florida pulled goalie Sergei Bobrovsky for an extra attacker, Stützle secured the victory with an empty-net goal. However, the moment was bittersweet for the Panthers, as their captain, Aleksander Barkov, was injured in the final moments while trying to prevent Stützle’s empty-netter. Barkov crashed into the end boards and left the ice, and there was no immediate update on the severity of his injury.
Bobrovsky made 29 saves for Florida, keeping the game close, but the Panthers could not overcome their slow start, trailing 2-0 for most of the game. Despite their late push, they failed to recover and suffered their first loss of the season.
The victory was a promising sign for an Ottawa team that emphasized improved defensive play throughout training camp. With Ullmark anchoring the back end, the Senators showcased their ability to limit high-danger opportunities against one of the league’s top offensive teams. For the Panthers, the loss of Barkov is a potential concern as they look to defend their Stanley Cup title.
Ottawa will look to build on their opening-night success as they continue their early-season homestand, while Florida will seek to regroup and adjust to life on the road after a tough loss in the Canadian capital.
