The Ottawa Senators faced a narrow defeat against the Washington Capitals, losing 1-0 in overtime, showcasing their competitive spirit against the league leaders. Senators rookie goalie Leevi Merilainen delivered an impressive performance, stopping 27 shots but was ultimately beaten by Alex Ovechkin, who scored his 874th career goal, edging closer to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record.
Both teams demonstrated strong defensive skills, limiting scoring opportunities. Merilainen's standout moments included a key overtime save against Tom Wilson, prompting cheers from the home crowd. The Senators struggled with their power play, going 0-for-3 and marked a troubling trend with only 2 successful conversions out of 15 chances over the last five games.