The Ottawa Senators battled hard but came up short against the St. Louis Blues in a frustrating 2-1 loss at Canadian Tire Centre. Despite outshooting their opponents significantly, Ottawa couldn’t solve Blues goaltender Joel Hofer, who delivered a stellar 41-save performance.
Saturday night’s game on December 6, 2025, showcased the Senators’ ongoing struggles to convert offensive pressure into goals. The loss marks Ottawa’s fourth defeat in their last five games, extending a challenging stretch for the team as they fight for playoff positioning in the competitive Eastern Conference.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: The Senators dominated possession with 42 shots but lost 2-1 to the Blues. Joel Hofer was the difference-maker with 41 saves, including a crucial stop on Tim Stutzle with 9 seconds remaining.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, December 6, 2025 |
| Location | Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa |
| Final Score | Blues 2, Senators 1 |
| Attendance | Full house |
Game Summary
First Period
The Senators came out firing, dominating the opening frame with an impressive 15-2 shot advantage. Despite the overwhelming territorial control, Ottawa couldn’t find a way past Hofer, who stood tall against wave after wave of pressure.
The first period also saw a significant development for St. Louis as forward Jordan Kyrou left the game at 2:52 with a lower-body injury after taking a hit. Kyrou, one of the Blues’ top offensive threats, was later listed as day-to-day.
Second Period
Jake Neighbours opened the scoring for St. Louis, capitalizing on one of the Blues’ limited opportunities. The goal against the run of play put Ottawa in a familiar position of chasing the game despite controlling possession.
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Fabian Zetterlund answered for Ottawa, tying the game and giving Senators fans hope for a comeback. His timely goal demonstrated the offensive potential that has been both a strength and source of frustration for the team this season.
Third Period
Neighbours struck again for his second goal of the night, restoring the Blues’ lead. The Senators threw everything at Hofer in the final frame, recording 16 shots in the third period alone.
The most dramatic moment came with just nine seconds remaining when Hofer denied Tim Stutzle from point-blank range, preserving the victory for St. Louis. The save punctuated an outstanding performance that single-handedly earned the Blues two points.
Key Performers
Joel Hofer (St. Louis Blues)
The story of the game was undeniably Hofer’s goaltending masterclass:
- 41 saves on 42 shots faced
- 16 saves in the third period when the Senators pressed hardest
- Game-saving stop on Stutzle with 9 seconds left
- .976 save percentage for the night
Jake Neighbours (St. Louis Blues)
The young forward proved to be the offensive catalyst for St. Louis:
- Two goals, both crucial to the outcome
- Capitalized on limited Blues opportunities
- Showed composure in tight-checking affair
Linus Ullmark (Ottawa Senators)
Ottawa’s goaltender had a quieter night but remained solid:
- 18 saves on 20 shots
- Limited opportunities to make spectacular saves
- Can’t be faulted for either goal against
Game Analysis
The Story of the Night
This game perfectly encapsulates the Senators’ recent struggles. Despite generating significantly more chances, Ottawa continues to have difficulty converting opportunities into goals. The 42-20 shot differential tells a tale of dominance that never translated to the scoreboard.
Power Play Woes
The Senators went 1-for-7 on the power play, a concerning trend that has plagued the team. When you get seven opportunities with the man advantage and only convert once, valuable points slip away.
Allowing the First Goal
With this loss, Ottawa has now allowed the first goal in 18 games this season (6-10-2 record in those games), tied for the most in the NHL. The inability to establish early leads puts constant pressure on the team to play comeback hockey.
Historical Context
This marks the second time the Blues have defeated Ottawa in eight days, following their 4-3 victory at Enterprise Center on November 28, 2025. The season series has been particularly frustrating for Senators fans.
What This Means for the Senators
The loss drops Ottawa further in the Eastern Conference standings during a critical stretch of the season. With four losses in five games, the team faces mounting pressure to turn things around.
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Areas of Concern
- Converting chances - Shot quality and finishing need improvement
- Special teams - Power play efficiency must increase
- Starting strong - Too many games playing from behind
- Consistency - Talent exists but results don’t match effort
Reasons for Optimism
Despite the frustrating result, there are positives to build on:
- Generating significant shot volume
- Territorial dominance in most games
- Young core continues to develop
- Ullmark providing solid goaltending
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score of the Senators vs Blues game? A: The St. Louis Blues defeated the Ottawa Senators 2-1 at Canadian Tire Centre on December 6, 2025.
Q: Who scored for the Ottawa Senators? A: Fabian Zetterlund scored Ottawa’s lone goal in the second period to temporarily tie the game.
Q: How many saves did Joel Hofer make? A: Joel Hofer made 41 saves on 42 shots, including 16 saves in the third period and a crucial stop on Tim Stutzle with 9 seconds remaining.
Q: When do the Senators play next? A: Check the official Ottawa Senators schedule at nhl.com/senators for upcoming games and ticket information.
Q: Where can I buy Ottawa Senators tickets? A: Tickets are available through the official Senators website, Ticketmaster, or at the Canadian Tire Centre box office.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues represents another frustrating chapter in the Senators’ 2025-26 season. Despite playing well enough to win—outshooting their opponents by more than two-to-one—Ottawa couldn’t solve Joel Hofer when it mattered most.
The Senators have the talent to compete, but results like this highlight the fine margins in the NHL. Until the team can improve its conversion rate on chances and tighten up defensively in key moments, these narrow defeats will continue to accumulate.
For Sens fans, the hope is that this young core learns from these experiences and emerges stronger. The talent is there; now it’s about putting it all together consistently.
Source: NHL.com, Ottawa Senators - Compiled for Via Ottawa readers.
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