The Ottawa Senators failed to finish 2025 on a high note, delivering a flat and uninspired performance in a 4-1 defeat to the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. The loss, in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,902 fans at Canadian Tire Centre, extended the team's winless skid to three consecutive games and cast a pall over their December record.
A Night of Missed Opportunities
From the opening puck drop, the Senators seemed a step behind. The team created few genuine scoring chances and spent much of the game chasing the play. The lone bright spot was defenseman Jake Sanderson, who managed to find the back of the net for Ottawa. In contrast, the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing the second night of a back-to-back, looked more structured and opportunistic.
Columbus goaltender Jet Greaves, fresh off a win against the New York Islanders, was solid when called upon but was not heavily tested, facing only 22 Senators shots. The Senators' power play was a particular area of concern, going 0-for-4 and looking consistently out of sync throughout the contest.
Merilainen's Net to Hold
The game marked a significant shift in the Senators' crease. With number-one goalie Linus Ullmark on a personal leave of absence, Leevi Merilainen made his tenth start of the season and his first-ever against Columbus. The young netminder faced 22 shots and allowed four goals, a stat line that did not reflect well on the team's overall defensive effort.
A pivotal moment came early in the third period when Denton Mateychuk's effort gave Columbus a 3-1 lead. Merilainen appeared displeased, and though there was a question of potential interference by Boone Jenner, the Senators opted not to challenge the goal. Kirill Marchenko would later seal the victory for Columbus with a late third-period goal.
With Ullmark's return timeline uncertain, the Senators must now rely on Merilainen to "carry the ball," as captain Brady Tkachuk expressed confidence in his teammate's competitive drive. "He's a stone-cold killer," Tkachuk said pre-game. "He wants to win so bad."
Looking Ahead in a Tight Race
The loss dropped Ottawa's record for December to 6-6-1, a .500 pace that feels insufficient in the tightly contested NHL standings. These are precisely the kinds of games—against non-playoff opponents at home—that playoff-bound teams must win. The much-maligned penalty kill did its job, holding Columbus scoreless on three opportunities, but the anemic offense and power play proved too great a handicap.
As the calendar turns to 2026, the Senators are left to regroup. The immediate challenge is clear: find a way to generate more consistent offense and support their goaltender while Ullmark is away. The margin for error in the playoff race is shrinking, making every point from here on out critical.
