A commitment to defence has been a central theme for the Senators, not just Tkachuk, under new head coach Travis Green. The Senators have the sixth-best goals-against rate in the league, a 180-degree turn from the fifth-worst in the league last season.

Tim Stutzle scored in the shootout to lift the Ottawa Senators to a 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins. Leevi Merilainen, who made 23 saves in regulation and overtime, turned away all three Bruins skaters in the tiebreaker.

Despite the skirmish, Shesterkin completed the game with 20 saves, earning his second consecutive shutout. Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle, Arthur Kaliyev, Artemi Panarin, and Rempe all scored for the Rangers. Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette brushed off the incident as part of the game.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

At 5-on-5, the Bruins have allowed shot attempts at a higher rate than every team in the league since the calendar flipped. Only the Chicago Blackhawks, who find themselves in the basement of the NHL, have conceded more shots on target during that span. The Bruins have struggled mightily to limit shots.

The Ottawa Senators had been told they would learn from the hard times and they’re finally starting to see some results.

SIGN UP TO CONTINUEPrint Subscriber? Sign Up for Full Access!Please sign up for as low as 36 cents per day to continue viewing our website.Digital subscribers receiveUnlimited access to all stories from nashuatelegraph.

The Senators’ shootout win over the Bruins encapsulated everything we love about hockey — beautiful goals, crazy saves, an unbelievable comeback and even some fisticuffs. It was the sport at its purest and best.

Tim Stützle scored the lone goal in the shootout Saturday to give Ottawa a 6-5 win over the Bruins in a matinee that had the feel, intensity, and nastiness of a playoff game. Stützle’s backbreaker capped a furious comeback by the Senators, who trailed, 5-3, with less than four minutes remaining.

BOSTON – It may only be mid-January ... Tim Stutzle paces Ottawa with 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists) in 44 games, while Brady Tkachuk (38 points) leads the club with 18 goals. Drake Batherson (14-25—39), Claude Giroux (9-19—28), and Josh Norris ...

The Ottawa Senators play their final home game before a three-game road trip tomorrow afternoon when they take on the Boston Bruins at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Tim Stutzle's shootout goal rallied the Ottawa Senators to a 6-5 win over the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon. Leevi Merilainen, who made 23 saves, turned away all three Bruins skaters in the shootout.