The Ottawa Senators ended a four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night. Defensemen Jordan Spence and Artem Zub scored 15 seconds apart late in the first period to secure the victory. The team now heads to New York to face the Rangers.
The Ottawa Senators delivered a strong performance against the last-place Vancouver Canucks, snapping their four-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night. Despite firing 40 shots on goaltender Kevin Lankinen—tied for their second-most this season—only two found the net, but it was enough to earn the win.
The scoring began late in the first period when defenders Jordan Spence and Artem Zub beat Lankinen's blocker side just 15 seconds apart. This marked the fastest two goals by Senators defensemen in franchise history, surpassing the previous record of 22 seconds set by Jason York and Patrick Traverse on January 22, 2000. Goaltender Leevi Merilainen made crucial saves in the third period after Vancouver's lone goal, helping Ottawa maintain composure.
Spence described the effort as one of the team's better 60-minute games this season, emphasizing their work ethic and puck battles. "I think our first period was one of the better periods in the season," he said. "With our work ethic, winning puck battles, and keeping our identity, I think we just have to keep doing that."
The Senators' fourth line of Nick Cousins, David Perron, and Lars Eller shone, generating 10 scoring chances for and zero against in 8:52 of ice time, per Natural Stat Trick. Coach Travis Green praised their contribution, noting the need to use all four lines amid a busy schedule. "They were excellent tonight," Green said. "It's that time of year where there's a lot of games, we're going to need to use all four lines."
Cousins agreed the game was a positive step. "I think that was definitely a step in the right direction," he said. "We had a lot of good looks... it's just one game, got to follow it up."
Ottawa now travels to New York City for a Wednesday matchup against the Rangers, who are last in the Eastern Conference and have lost four straight games by a combined 22-8 score. The Senators hold a strong 31-21-2 record in 54 games at Madison Square Garden.
