A commitment to defence has been a central theme for the Senators, not just Tkachuk, under new head coach Travis Green. The Senators have the sixth-best goals-against rate in the league, a 180-degree turn from the fifth-worst in the league last season.

Coach Travis Green pointed out mistakes that led to the loss to the Boston Bruins and sent a message to the Ottawa Senators' offense, which includes NHL star Brady Tkachuck.

Former Ottawa Senator Joonas Korppisalo pitched a shutout against his old team and the Bruins won 2-0 t the Garden.

Tkachuk scored a goal, took four shots and recorded two hits in Sunday's 3-1 win over Utah.

(Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP) Ottawa Senators’ Brady Tkachuk (7) and Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) watch as the shot by Senators’ Jake Sanderson, not shown, goes in the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game in ...

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Tim Stützle scored the lone goal in the shootout Saturday to give Ottawa a 6-5 win over the Bruins in a matinee that had the feel, intensity, and nastiness of a playoff game. Stützle’s backbreaker capped a furious comeback by the Senators, who trailed, 5-3, with less than four minutes remaining.

The two teams met over the weekend when the Bruins lost the lead in the final minutes of regulation and then the game in a shootout.

At 5-on-5, the Bruins have allowed shot attempts at a higher rate than every team in the league since the calendar flipped. Only the Chicago Blackhawks, who find themselves in the basement of the NHL, have conceded more shots on target during that span. The Bruins have struggled mightily to limit shots.

Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) holds back Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (7) on a save during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) AP

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Boston had opened a 5-3 lead on Vinni Lettieri's first goal of the season 11:23 into the third period. Jeremy Swayman made 39 saves for the Bruins. Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk (7) and Boston ...