Florida Panthers Open Season with Loss to Ottawa Senators, 3-1
OTTAWA, Ontario — Linus Ullmark made 30 saves in his first game for the Ottawa Senators, helping the team open the season with a 3-1 victory over the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Thursday night.
First Period Scoring
Tim Stutzle opened the scoring on a first-period power play, and Shane Pinto also scored for Ottawa in the first period. The Panthers trailed 2-0 after the first period, and it was too much to overcome.
Third Period Action
With the Senators holding a 2-1 lead late in the third period, Ullmark made several crucial saves, including stops on Anton Lundell, Mackie Samoskevich, and Carter Verhaeghe. Gustav Forsling scored for Florida with 4:12 left, but it was too little, too late.
Post-Game Notes
- Linus Ullmark made his first start for Ottawa, making 30 saves in the win.
- Captain Aleksander Barkov was injured late in the third period, leaving the game with an unknown severity.
- The Panthers struggled to recover from a slow start, falling behind 2-0 early.
- The Senators blocked 27 shots, part of their focus on improving their overall defensive play.
Key Moment
- Barkov hurt himself while trying to prevent an empty-net goal in the third period, but the extent of his injury remained unclear.
Key Stat
- Linus Ullmark is now 10-1-0 in his last 11 starts against the Florida Panthers.
Upcoming Schedule
- The Panthers will travel to Buffalo for a contest on Saturday night.
- The Senators will head to Montreal for a game on Saturday.
Conclusion
The Ottawa Senators kicked off their season on a winning note, thanks to a strong performance from goaltender Linus Ullmark. The team’s defense-minded approach paid off, as they blocked 27 shots and allowed just one goal in the second half of the game. The Florida Panthers, meanwhile, struggled to recover from a slow start, ultimately falling to 0-2.
FAQs
Q: Who made 30 saves for the Ottawa Senators in their season-opening win?
A: Linus Ullmark
Q: What was the final score in the Ottawa Senators’ season-opening game?
A: 3-1 over the Florida Panthers
Q: Who was injured for the Florida Panthers late in the third period?
A: Captain Aleksander Barkov
Q: What was the key moment in the game?
A: Barkov’s injury while trying to prevent an empty-net goal in the third period
