Senators Stifle Rangers with Historic Defensive Performance
NEW YORK – The Ottawa Senators delivered a defensive masterclass at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, limiting the New York Rangers to a mere nine shots on goal in a 2-1 victory. The Rangers’ shot total was their lowest since 1955 and the fewest allowed by the Senators in franchise history, marking the lowest shot total by any NHL team since 2003. Goaltender James Reimer stopped eight of those shots.
Reimer Praises Team’s Intensity
“It doesn’t usually move very well, but sometimes, as the game progresses, you think: ‘ok, more pucks are going to arrive, more pucks are going to arrive’. And the truth is that the guys played incredible. I think the pressure and intensity with which we played was noticeable and we simply took away time and space from the opponent. The guys did a spectacular job,” Reimer said after the game via NHL.com.
Pinto and Foegele Provide Offensive Support
Shane Pinto opened the scoring for Ottawa during a first-period power play, capitalizing on a sequence involving Claude Giroux at 6:30, marking his 19th goal of the season. Warren Foegele extended the Senators’ lead in the second period, scoring his 12th goal of the season after a turnover forced by Ottawa’s pressure. Lars Eller assisted on Foegele’s goal.
Giroux Continues Strong Performance Against Rangers
Claude Giroux’s assist on Pinto’s goal raised his career totals to 16 goals and 49 assists for 65 points against the Rangers. His 49 assists are the second-most among active players against New York, and his 65 total points rank fourth according to The Star.
Senators Overcome Injury Challenges
The Senators’ victory was made even more impressive by the fact that they played more than half the game with only four defensemen. Thomas Chabot left the game late in the first period with an injury, and Lassi Thomson exited in the second period with a lower-body injury. Both Chabot and Thomson are expected to be out for a while, according to coach Travis Green via The Star. The team plans to call up two reinforcements before their next game against Detroit.
Playoff Implications
With the win, the Ottawa Senators reached 83 points, placing them just two points behind the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
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