Stützle Drives Senators Past Predators 3-2
Three posts kept it tight as Murray battled, but Ottawa’s chance quality carried the night.
The Senators earned a 3-2 win, and the story was how they created the better looks. Ottawa owned the chance quality — expected goals (how many the chances were worth) favored them 2.85 to 2.36 — and they pushed more attempts than Nashville, which showed up as steadier pressure and cleaner lanes to the net.
Tim Stützle was the engine: 1 goal, 1 assist, four shots and 26:06 of ice time driving Ottawa’s best looks. Drake Batherson added a goal on three shots, and Dylan Cozens chipped in an assist with three shots as secondary creators. On the back end, Thomas Chabot logged 28:43 with an assist and three shots.
This could have been more lopsided without the iron. Three Ottawa/Nashville bids rang off posts — from Batherson, Jonathan Marchessault, and Chabot — turning prime chances into near-misses and keeping Nashville within a bounce.
For Nashville, Matt Murray stopped 18 of 20 and turned away several chances that usually go in; Ottawa still authored the better looks. Linus Ullmark made 16 saves on 18 shots, and Ottawa solved him just enough.
Takeaway: the Senators paired creation with control, while the Predators leaned on goaltending to hang around.
