Senators hold Rangers to fewest shots by NHL team since 2003

The Ottawa Senators delivered a defensive masterclass at Madison Square Garden, shutting down the New York Rangers in a 2-1 victory on Monday night. James Reimer stood tall in net, facing just nine shots on goal—the lowest total allowed by any NHL team since 2003.[1][2] This marked the Rangers’ fewest shots since 1955 and Ottawa’s franchise record for shots against.

Reimer made eight saves in a game that tested the Senators’ resolve, especially after losing two defensemen to injury. The win boosts Ottawa’s playoff push in the Eastern Conference, showcasing their structure even under duress. Full boxscore.

Defensive resilience amid mounting injuries

Ottawa entered the game already shorthanded on defense, missing Jake Sanderson for possibly another week and Nick Jensen recovering from knee surgery. Thomas Chabot exited late in the first period after a stick to the arm from Rangers captain J.T. Miller, while Lassi Thomson left in the second with a lower-body injury—his first game back since November 2022.

Coach Travis Green confirmed both Chabot and Thomson will be sidelined for a while, prompting plans to call up reinforcements before Tuesday’s trip to Detroit. Despite dropping to four defensemen for over half the game, the Senators held firm.

The remaining blue-liners logged heavy minutes:

• Jordan Spence: career-high 26:44
• Tyler Kleven: 24:30
• Artem Zub: 23:44
• Nikolas Matinpalo: 18:19

Spence, who didn’t track his ice time amid the chaos, lamented Chabot’s injury but praised the group’s focus. “Chabby just doing how well he was doing and seeing that, it’s unfortunate,” he said. “We’re trying to win a game, so we kind of had to forget about that and try and do the best we can.”

Green lauded the effort: “With two defensemen going down, guys have to step up, play a lot more minutes than they’re used to. Give them all credit. They played a hell of a game back there.”[3]

Warren Foegele, who scored his fifth goal in nine games since the trade deadline acquisition from Los Angeles, called it a “gutsy effort.” The whole group elevated, turning potential disaster into dominance.

Historic low for shots in the modern era

This performance etched Ottawa’s name in the record books. The nine shots were the fewest against in Senators history and the lowest by any NHL opponent since New Jersey held Washington to nine on December 4, 2003—pre-salary cap.

Shots on goal became official in 1959-60, with the Rangers’ prior low of nine coming in a 1955 loss at Detroit. No team has allowed fewer than 10 since the cap era began in 2005-06.

Reimer noted the mental challenge: “These games are a lot harder than a 30- or a 40-shot night. You’re not in a rhythm. You’re not feeling it. It’s not just happening, so you’ve just got to trust it and trust that your body knows what it has to do when the time comes.”

The Rangers struggled to generate chances, a stark contrast to expectations at home. This shutdown underscores Ottawa’s evolution under Green.

For context on the Rangers’ defensive pairs, like Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov stepping up this season, see our analysis here.

Rangers outmatched on a milestone night

New York celebrated Mika Zibanejad’s 1,000th regular-season game, but the on-ice product fell flat. Captain J.T. Miller was blunt: “They were better than us. We just didn’t have it. I don’t know what to say. We got outplayed, got outcompeted—things that we’re just not OK with as a group.”

The Rangers managed only nine shots, unable to penetrate Ottawa’s tight checking. Miller’s stick on Chabot added to the frustration.

Ottawa’s structure neutralized New York’s offense, limiting high-danger chances. This loss highlights vulnerabilities for a Rangers team aiming to stay in the playoff mix.

Building a shutdown identity

Since reigniting their playoff push on January 25, the Senators lead the NHL in fewest shots against at just over 21 per game. They allowed 14 in a win over Toronto on Saturday and 19 against the Islanders on Thursday.

Spence credited the system: “That’s part of our structure. That’s part of our identity, so we have to keep that going in order to win games.”

Foegele echoed the sentiment post-trade deadline, integrating seamlessly into the defensive mindset. The “boys played great,” Reimer added simply.

Echoing their resilience in recent games, like the shootout rally against Calgary recapped here, Ottawa thrives in adversity. Game highlights on NHL.com.

This run positions them well against playoff hopefuls like Detroit next.

The Senators’ grit positions them strongly in the Eastern Conference race, with callups bolstering the blue line soon. Holding a potent Rangers attack to historic lows signals playoff readiness. What it means for the stretch run: Ottawa’s defense could carry them deep if the structure holds.