The Ottawa Senators secured a 6-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, extending their winning streak to three games behind Tim Stutzle's three-point performance. However, the Blackhawks suffered a setback with center Frank Nazar expected to miss about four weeks after a puck to the face. Coach Jeff Blashill delivered the injury update post-game, compounding Chicago's challenges with Connor Bedard already sidelined.
The Ottawa Senators hosted the Chicago Blackhawks at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday afternoon, December 20, 2025, in a matchup that highlighted Ottawa's recent form. The Senators prevailed 6-4, marking their third consecutive win. Forward Tim Stutzle was pivotal, recording three points to spark the victory.
Defenseman Thomas Chabot made a strong return from an upper-body injury that had sidelined him for 12 games since November 22. Chabot logged 26:37 of ice time and notched an assist, contributing to Ottawa's offensive push.
For the Blackhawks, the loss was overshadowed by an injury to promising center Frank Nazar. Nazar exited the game in the first period after taking a puck to the face and did not return. Head coach Jeff Blashill provided a grim update afterward, stating Nazar is expected to miss approximately four weeks. This compounds Chicago's woes, as star center Connor Bedard is already out with a shoulder injury and won't return for a couple of weeks, leaving the team without its top two centers.
Amid the setbacks, rookie Nick Lardis offered a bright spot by scoring his first career NHL goal during the game. He is likely to remain with the team to bolster the offense. The young Blackhawks squad, which started the season positively, now faces a challenging stretch and will need other players to step up to stay competitive.
The result underscores Ottawa's momentum while underscoring Chicago's injury struggles in a demanding NHL schedule.