The Ottawa Senators dropped a tough one on Sunday, falling 4-1 to the Minnesota Wild in a game that had more frustration than flow for the home side.
Drake Batherson was Ottawa's lone bright spot, burying his 31st goal of the season to give the Sens a brief spark. It's a milestone worth celebrating — 31 goals is a career-pace season for Batherson, who's quietly become one of the more reliable scorers in the Eastern Conference. But one goal wasn't nearly enough on a night when the Wild came to play.
Tkachuk Buzzing, But No Luck
Brady Tkachuk was a machine in terms of effort, leading all Ottawa skaters with seven shots on net. Tkachuk's physicality and compete level were never in question — the captain threw his body around and created chances — but the Wild goaltender was up to the task, turning aside everything Ottawa's power forward threw at him.
It was one of those nights where the work was there, but the bounces weren't.
Ullmark Struggles Between the Pipes
Linus Ullmark had a night to forget in the Ottawa crease, surrendering four goals on just 23 shots. That's a save percentage well below what the Sens need from their starter, and Minnesota was clinical in making him pay for any lapse in positioning.
The Wild's offence wasn't flashy — they didn't need to be. They were opportunistic, capitalizing on each crack in Ottawa's structure and finding the back of the net when it mattered.
The Bigger Picture
The loss stings, but context matters. The Senators are fighting for positioning as the playoff race tightens, and every game carries weight. A one-goal output against a structured Minnesota team is a reminder that Ottawa still needs more secondary scoring to show up consistently when Batherson and Tkachuk are being blanketed by attention.
Coach Travis Green will have plenty to review on film. Ottawa generated chances — Tkachuk's shot total alone proves that — but converting those opportunities into goals remains an issue the team will need to solve before the postseason.
What's Next
The Senators will look to bounce back quickly, with a packed final stretch of the regular season ahead. Batherson's 31st goal is a bright spot worth holding onto — if he can push toward 35, Ottawa's offensive ceiling gets much more interesting come playoff time.
For now, the focus shifts to the next game. In a playoff race, there's no time to dwell.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
