In a sensational comeback, the Ottawa Senators defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-1 at the Xcel Energy Center on December 29, 2024. This victory marks a significant turnaround for the Senators, who had lost their previous two games and showcases their resilience in a competitive NHL season.
The game began with the Wild taking an early lead when Frederick Gaudreau scored at 17:19 of the first period, redirecting a shot from Declan Chisholm to put Minnesota ahead 1-0. However, the Senators quickly responded in the second period. Just 1:47 into the frame, Ridy Greig tied the game with a rebound goal after a shot from Travis Hamonic bounced off the end boards.
The turning point came in the third period when Josh Norris scored a crucial power-play goal at 12:42, giving Ottawa a 2-1 lead. Norris’s one-timer from the right face-off dot beat Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson, marking his 14th goal of the season. The Senators sealed their victory with an empty-net goal from veteran forward Claude Giroux, who intercepted a pass and scored with just 43 seconds left on the clock.
Goaltender Leevi Meriläinen played a pivotal role in Ottawa’s win, making 30 saves in his fifth NHL appearance and earning praise for his performance. His impressive save percentage of .968 helped keep the Wild at bay, especially during their late-game push with an extra attacker on the ice.
This victory is particularly notable as it marks Ottawa’s first win in Minnesota since March 31, 2016, and improves their record to 19-15-2 for the season. The Senators have now won seven of their last nine games, positioning themselves favorably as they aim for playoff contention.
On the other hand, the Wild have struggled recently, losing five of their last seven games and dealing with injuries to key players like Kirill Kaprizov, who missed his second consecutive game due to a lower-body injury. The defeat leaves Minnesota with a record of 22-11-4.
As the Senators look ahead to their next matchup against the Dallas Stars, fans are hopeful that this momentum will carry them further into the season. The team’s ability to rally back and secure a win against a strong opponent like Minnesota demonstrates their growing confidence and determination on the ice.
