Ottawa Senators 4-2 over Utah Mammoth in a hard-fought homestand win

The Ottawa Senators continued their impressive homestand with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Sunday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. The win extended Ottawa’s point streak to five games and improved their record to 8-5-3 on the season. Leevi Merilainen made his third NHL start a memorable one, turning aside 29 shots in a confident performance that helped the Senators secure two crucial points.

The victory came on the heels of Ottawa’s dramatic 3-2 overtime win against Philadelphia just 24 hours earlier, demonstrating the team’s resilience and depth. For Utah, the loss capped a disappointing four-game road trip that saw them win just once, dropping their record to 9-7-0 and extending their recent struggles to 1-5-0 over their last six games. The Mammoth, who had started the season with an impressive 8-2 record, have hit a rough patch at an inopportune time.

Early momentum swings in the Ottawa Senators 4-2 win over Utah Mammoth game recap

The first period set the tone for what would be a tightly contested affair between two teams heading in opposite directions. Ottawa broke through first at 13:59 when Ridly Greig capitalized on a fortuitous bounce. Fabian Zetterlund’s one-timer from the right circle was initially blocked by Dmitri Simashev, but the rebound took a circuitous route off Lawson Crouse’s attempt to clear, deflecting off Dylan Cozens’ skate and hitting goaltender Vitek Vanecek before landing in the crease for Greig to tap home.

The goal showcased the kind of opportunistic play that has characterized Ottawa’s recent success. While not the prettiest marker, it demonstrated the Senators’ willingness to go to the dirty areas and cash in on second and third chances. Greig, who has been developing into a reliable two-way forward for Ottawa, was in the right place at the right time.

Utah responded with characteristic persistence, refusing to let the deficit derail their game plan. Just 17:33 into the opening frame, shortly after a power play expired, Clayton Keller demonstrated why he’s one of the Mammoth’s most dangerous offensive weapons. Taking a pass from Mikhail Sergachev in the neutral zone, Keller attacked down the left wing with speed and purpose, driving hard to the net before burying his own rebound five-hole on Merilainen.

The goal was Keller’s sixth of the season and showcased his elite skill set and determination. After the initial shot was saved, Keller showed tremendous hand-eye coordination and quick thinking to follow up his own chance. The tally tied the game 1-1 and gave Utah momentum heading into the intermission, setting up what promised to be an entertaining middle frame.

Second period surge defines the Ottawa Senators 4-2 win over Utah Mammoth game recap

Jordan Spence restored Ottawa’s lead at 7:13 of the second period with his first goal of the season, a moment that undoubtedly felt rewarding for the defenseman. Following a crucial turnover by Dylan Guenther below the goal line, Spence wasted no time unleashing a slap shot from the high slot that beat Vanecek blocker side. The goal highlighted Ottawa’s ability to capitalize on opponent mistakes and showcased the offensive capabilities the Senators possess from their blue line.

The Senators were unable to capitalize on an early second-period power play opportunity, continuing their season-long struggles with the man advantage. However, the team’s ability to generate offense at even strength has largely compensated for their special teams deficiencies. This depth scoring has been crucial during their recent five-game point streak.

Nick Cousins extended Ottawa’s advantage to 3-1 at 15:52 with a goal that exemplified hard work and net-front presence. Carrying the puck from behind the net, Cousins turned and executed a wraparound that he managed to stuff under Vanecek’s left pad. The tally gave the Senators what appeared to be a comfortable two-goal cushion heading into the final minutes of the period.

Just when it seemed Ottawa would take a commanding lead into the third period, Nick Schmaltz provided Utah with a critical lifeline at 18:56. Displaying exceptional individual skill, Schmaltz skated wide down the right wing, made a skillful move around Jake Sanderson to get to the net, and slid a backhand under Merilainen’s outstretched right pad to cut the deficit to 3-2. The goal ensured the final twenty minutes would be anything but comfortable for the home team and set up a dramatic conclusion.

Controversial call and insurance marker seal the Ottawa Senators 4-2 win over Utah Mammoth game recap

The third period opened with immediate controversy that would prove pivotal to the game’s outcome. Just 22 seconds into the frame, Jack McBain appeared to have tied the game 3-3 when he poked a loose puck past Merilainen while sprawled on the ice. The Utah bench erupted in celebration, believing they had completed a comeback and erased Ottawa’s lead with minimal time off the clock.

However, the Senators quickly challenged the play for goaltender interference, and after a video review, the officials overturned the goal. The decision was a crushing blow to Utah’s momentum and proved to be the turning point of the contest. While the Mammoth argued their case, the call stood, leaving them still trailing by a goal and forcing them to regroup mentally after what felt like a game-tying goal had been taken off the board.

Following their recent struggles, Utah desperately needed a break to go their way, but instead they faced an uphill battle. Michael Amadio made sure Ottawa would not squander the reprieve, scoring at 3:46 to extend the lead to 4-2. Amadio got inside position on McBain and expertly deflected Thomas Chabot’s point shot past Vanecek for his fourth consecutive game with a goal and his sixth tally of the season.

The goal demonstrated Amadio’s hot streak and ability to find soft areas in front of the net. His consistency has been a revelation for Ottawa, providing the kind of secondary scoring that championship-caliber teams need. With the two-goal cushion restored, the Senators could breathe easier, though they still needed to weather Utah’s desperate push in the final minutes.

Merilainen’s heroics preserve the Ottawa Senators 4-2 win over Utah Mammoth game recap

As the clock wound down and Utah pulled Vanecek for the extra attacker, the Mammoth threw everything they had at Merilainen in a last-ditch effort to salvage at least a point from the contest. The young Finnish goaltender, playing in just his first game since October 27, had been solid throughout but would need to make one spectacular save to preserve the victory.

With 2:32 remaining and Ottawa clinging to a 4-2 lead, Merilainen made a desperation paddle save on Kevin Stenlund that drew gasps from the crowd. The save showcased not only Merilainen’s athleticism but also his composure in a pressure situation. For a goaltender making just his third NHL start, the ability to come up with a game-saving stop in the dying minutes demonstrated maturity beyond his experience level.

The performance was particularly impressive considering the pre-game expectations surrounding both teams’ attacking options. Merilainen finished with 29 saves and gave the Senators exactly what they needed—steady goaltending that kept them in control throughout the contest. His presence in the crease provided the confidence Ottawa’s defense needed to play aggressively.

Vanecek finished with 21 saves for Utah in a losing effort. While he wasn’t solely responsible for the defeat, the Mammoth needed their netminder to steal them a game on this road trip, and it simply didn’t happen. The loss dropped Utah’s road record and sent them home having won just one of four games away from their building.

Depth scoring drives success in the Ottawa Senators 4-2 win over Utah Mammoth game recap

The victory highlighted several positive trends for the Senators as they continue to find their identity in the 2025-26 season. Perhaps most encouraging has been the contribution from depth players like Greig, Spence, Cousins, and Amadio—all of whom found the scoresheet against Utah. When a team can generate offense from its third and fourth lines while also getting production from defensemen, it becomes exponentially more difficult to defend against.

Dylan Cozens recorded two assists in the game, continuing his strong play since joining the Senators. His ability to create chances and make smart plays in all three zones has been a welcome addition to Ottawa’s lineup. The fact that goals came from multiple lines suggests this team is not overly reliant on any single player to carry the offensive load.

The Senators are now 6-1-3 in their past 10 games, a stretch that has seen them climb the standings and establish themselves as a legitimate playoff contender. Their ability to win in different ways—whether it’s high-scoring affairs or tight defensive battles—bodes well for their long-term prospects. According to reports from NHL.com, the team’s confidence is growing with each passing game.

However, not everything is perfect for Ottawa. Their power play continues to struggle, going 0-for-2 against Utah and failing to capitalize on prime opportunities to put the game away earlier. Special teams will need to improve if the Senators hope to compete with the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. Converting on just one power play opportunity could have made the final period far less stressful.

Utah’s struggles continue in the Ottawa Senators 4-2 win over Utah Mammoth game recap

For the Mammoth, this loss represents more than just two points left on the table—it’s a symptom of larger issues that have plagued the team during their recent 1-5-0 skid. After starting the season with an impressive 8-2 record that had them atop the Western Conference standings, Utah has cooled off considerably and now finds itself in a dogfight for playoff positioning.

The team’s inability to generate consistent traffic in front of opposing goaltenders has been glaring during this stretch. Timothy Keller and Schmaltz both scored, demonstrating that the team’s top-end talent remains dangerous. Mikhail Sergachev continues to facilitate offense from the blue line with smart passing and gap control. If the Mammoth can get their secondary scoring going and tighten up defensively, they have the pieces to right the ship.

The Senators now open a four-game homestand on a high note, with Dallas visiting on Tuesday in what promises to be a challenging test. Ottawa will look to build on this momentum and continue climbing the Eastern Conference standings. For Utah, it’s back home to regroup before hosting Buffalo on Wednesday, a game they desperately need to win to stop the bleeding and regain the confidence that characterized their hot start. This game demonstrated the fine margins between winning and losing in the NHL—one overturned goal, one timely save, one opportunistic bounce can make all the difference between two points and none.