In a game with a four-point swing on the line, the Senators showed up in a big way.

It took just 90 seconds for Drake Batherson to open the scoring, finishing off a patient sequence of passes from Dylan Cozens and Nick Jensen with a snipe that beat Joonas Korpisalo on just the second shot of the game. The goal came on a big day for Batherson family – Drake’s sister Mae scored her first-ever PWHL goal against the Charge earlier. 1-0 Senators.

Quick rip from @drrakebatherson to get us started 🎯#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/kdtgF7XpRh

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 22, 2025

Ottawa’s first power play, courtesy of Nikita Zadorov’s tripping penalty on Cozens, generated a quality chance for Brady Tkachuk but couldn’t cash in. Minutes later, the roles reversed when Ridly Greig was called for elbowing Zadorov, and Tim Stützle nearly made the Bruins pay with a dangerous shorthanded breakaway that bounced off Korpisalo and just wide. Linus Ullmark came up with a crucial toe save to keep the Bruins at bay on the man advantage.

With the penalty successfully killed, the Senators weren’t done. A scramble in front of the Boston net saw Batherson deliver a slick kick pass to Claude Giroux, who buried it to make it 2-0.

Slick play from 1️⃣9️⃣ 👉 2️⃣8️⃣#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/Qmb6j43VJb

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 22, 2025

When Elias Lindholm was called for slashing Stützle a few minutes later, Fabian Zetterlund made no mistake, wiring a cannon between Korpisalo and the near post to extend the lead to three. 3-0.

Zetts pots his eighth of the season 🔥#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/hLVQsTWHR8

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 22, 2025

The perfect period went a bit sideways when Stützle was called for a weak hooking penalty, followed 30 seconds later by Artem Zub joining him in the box for tripping. The 5-on-3 lead to David Pastrnak finally getting Boston on the board to make it 3-1.

88 gets us on the board. pic.twitter.com/t60Ka4L0nZ

— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 22, 2025

Stützle, having been released from the box, was able to generate yet another shorthanded breakaway only to be denied by Korpisalo. Despite the late penalty trouble cutting into their momentum, the Senators were able to go into the intermission feeling good about a dominant 20 minutes.

The second period picked up where the first left off, with Ottawa killing the remainder of their penalty before weathering an early Bruins surge. Ullmark made a nice paddle save, and Batherson displayed strong defensive awareness to snuff out another Boston chance.

Then the floodgates opened.

After sustained pressure in the offensive zone, another net-front scramble gave Stützle the opportunity to clean up Brady Tkachuk’s rebound and lift it home. After missing on a pair of highlight-reel chances earlier, you could almost see the relief wash over him as he made it 4-1. Ah Fourpisalo, how I’ve missed you.

Back-to-back games for @timstuetzle18 🔥#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/SWB3Q9xoUb

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 22, 2025

Just 19 seconds later, Cozens took advantage of a screened Korpisalo to make it 5-1, and that was all for the Boston netminder. Jeremy Swayman came on in relief as the Bruins tried to stop the bleeding.

🐎🐎🐎#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/g6eKkgugLY

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 22, 2025

The physicality ramped up from there. A big hit left Jordan Spence without his helmet in a chaotic sequence that eventually saw five sticks scattered on the ice, though no penalty was called. Kurtis MacDermid and Tanner Jeannot dropped the gloves in what turned out to be an underwhelming tilt, with both receiving five for fighting.

Boston tried to mount a response, and Spence made an impressive midair bat to clear danger. However, a failed clearance by Nick Jensen shortly after led to a shot from Charlie McAvoy making it past Ullmark, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

After Sanderson took a scary feet-first slide into the boards following a trip by Alex Steeves (he was slow to get up, but stayed in the game), Ottawa went back to the power play. Zetterlund delivered again, going bar down on Swayman to restore the four-goal cushion at 6-2.

These #Sens just simply will not stop scoring…and we LOVE IT!#GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/bAMHyZc74c

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 22, 2025

The period ended with some heavy hitting but a comfortable Senators lead heading into the third.

Ottawa started the final frame back on the penalty kill after Nick Cousins was called for tripping. Ullmark came up with a nice pad save, and once again the Senators nearly capitalized shorthanded. This time it was a 2-on-1 rush, with Stützle once again failing to convert on a golden opportunity.

Despite Boston’s desperation, Ottawa controlled the pace through tight defensive play, doing an excellent job of keeping the Bruins hemmed in their own zone. When Boston did generate pressure, Ullmark was there with a string of quality saves.

The physical temperature continued to rise. After Zadorov pushed Greig around, MacDermid tried to get Kastelic to answer the bell, but the referees kept things under control (for the moment). Eventually, the two heavyweights got their chance to dance, with MacDermid grinning ear-to-ear on his way to the penalty box. Both received five minutes for fighting.

A power play opportunity came when Jeannot was called for roughing Sanderson, but Ottawa seemed content to focus on keeping possession rather than extending their lead. After the power play ended, Zadorov and Cozens got into it and earned themselves matching minors and early showers.

The game ended with a bang in a line scrum that saw Greig and Pastrnak drop the gloves, leaving Pastrnak bloodied. Greig, Pastrnak, and Jensen were all handed misconducts, and Ottawa ended up on the penalty kill for their trouble. Ullmark flashed one more glove save during the 3-on-4 to preserve the margin.

When the final horn sounded, the Senators had cruised to a convincing 6-2 victory, thoroughly dominating the Bruins. They take the season series 3 to 1.

NotesThis was a very encouraging performance across the board. The slump is well and truly busted (knock on wood).The second line had a very good performance tonight. Drake Batherson was dominant at both ends of the ice, while linemate Dylan Cozens matched him with rock-solid three-point outing of his own. The dynamic duo is clicking at an elite level – and credit to David Perron as well, who has looked sharp on their wing.Fabian Zetterlund’s two goals sent a clear message tonight: he has arrived.Tim Stützle had a strong game despite being foiled on three breakaway chances, making up for it with tenacious play and extending his point streak to seven games.Linus Ullmark continues his improved run of form between the pipes with his fourth straight win. He only just managed to squeak above a .900 SV%, but made several tough saves throughout the game to keep the Bruins from gaining any sort of momentum. Game Flow

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