Senators Close Out Regular Season With Gritty Win Over Toronto
Ottawa's hockey club wrapped up the regular season exactly how fans hoped — with a satisfying 3-1 victory over the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, sending a message that this group is ready for whatever comes next.
It was a night that had a little bit of everything: physical play, clutch goaltending, and timely scoring from some familiar names. And at the centre of it all was winger Hayden Hodgson, who made life absolutely miserable for the Leafs from the opening puck drop.
Hodgson Steals the Show
Hodgson finished with a game-high six hits — the kind of sandpaper game that doesn't show up flashy on a scoresheet but completely changes the momentum of a hockey game. The Ottawa winger was in on everything, finishing his checks, getting under Toronto's skin, and energizing the building every time he threw his body around.
It's exactly the type of game the Senators have been building toward all season: physical, disciplined, and hard to play against. Hodgson embodied all of that in spades.
Foegele and Batherson Provide the Offence
Warren Foegele and Drake Batherson each lit the lamp to give the Senators the offence they needed. Batherson, a fan favourite at Canadian Tire Centre, continued to show why he's one of the more reliable forwards on this roster when the games matter. Foegele, meanwhile, added to what's been a solid stretch run for him personally.
The Senators' ability to get contributions up and down the lineup — not just from top-line stars — is a good sign heading into the post-season. Depth wins in April and May, and Ottawa is showing they have it.
Reimer Shines Against Former Club
Perhaps the storyline of the night was James Reimer between the pipes. The veteran netminder turned in a .950 save percentage against his former team, turning aside shot after shot to preserve the win. There's something poetic about a journeyman goalie playing some of his best hockey against a club he once called home.
Reimer has been a steady presence for Ottawa this season, and performances like Thursday's are a reminder of the value he brings — especially as insurance behind the crease in a potential playoff run.
What It Means for Ottawa
The final buzzer on the regular season brings both relief and excitement for Senators fans across the city. This wasn't a throwaway game — it was a chance to build habits, gain confidence, and send a message to a division rival.
Toronto left the building without a win, and Ottawa leaves the regular season feeling good about themselves. For a franchise that's been working hard to rebuild its identity as a tough, compete-first team, Thursday's performance was a blueprint worth repeating.
Playoff hockey in Ottawa is always electric, and with performances like this one fresh in memory, there's plenty of reason for optimism.
Source: Ottawa Citizen — Senators' Hodgson drives Maple Leafs batty in final game of regular season
