The Ottawa Senators (25-21-7) beat the current best team in the NHL on Thursday. Tim Stützle helped a lot in the 5-2 win against the Colorado Avalanche (35-7-9).
The German center, currently the Canadians’ best scorer with 55 points (24 goals, 31 assists), was one of two players with 2 points in the game at the Canadian Tire Center with 1 goal and 1 assist alongside his teammate Artem Zub (2 assists).
After a goalless first third, Stützle provided the assist to make it 1-0 through Nick Cousins (24th). Parker Kelly (35th) equalized before Ridly Greig (35th) scored just 17 seconds later to give the hosts the lead again.
In the final section, Claude Giroux increased (43′), Valeri Nichushkin (44′) shortened. Two empty net goals from Brady Tkachuk (58th) and Stützle (59th) ensured the final score. Ottawa goalie James Reimer had 16 saves, his counterpart Mackenzie Blackwood had 18.
For Colorado, the best team in the league with 79 points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Minnesota Wild (70 each), it was the third defeat in the last four games. On Friday (1 a.m.) the team from Denver has to play against the Montreal Canadiens.
Ottawa is twelfth in the East after its second win in a row. The team from Ontario continues on Sunday (1 a.m.) with a home game against the New Jersey Devils.
NHL: The games of the day
| Heim | Away | Result |
| New York Islanders | New York Rangers | 5:2 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Philadelphia Flyers | 5:3 |
| Ottawa Senators | Colorado Avalanche | 5:2 |
