Tim Stützle scores twice in first period as Senators beat Bruins 4-1 at TD Garden

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

The Ottawa Senators jumped out early and never looked back, easing past the Boston Bruins 4-1 at TD Garden on Monday. Tim Stützle led the way with two goals in the opening frame and an assist, helping Ottawa build a two-goal lead that grew as the game progressed.

Stützle put the Senators in front twice within a span of 1:43. He opened the scoring at 7:39 with a short-handed goal after Boston mismanaged the puck, with Michael Amadio intercepting a pass and setting up a 2-on-1. Stützle received a backhand feed at the right hash marks and finished with a one-timer high to the stick side over Jeremy Swayman.

Stützle’s second first-period goal came at 9:22, just three seconds after a Boston power play expired. After stealing a pass, he broke in on a 2-on-1 and attempted a shot from the left face-off circle, initially missing, but he regained control of the puck and beat Swayman to the short side to make it 2-0.

Ottawa kept its pressure in the second period. Drake Batherson extended the lead to 3-0 at 1:06 when Stützle forced a turnover in Ottawa’s own zone and delivered a pass ahead for Batherson, who beat Swayman on a breakaway using a backhand.

Michael Amadio added to the rout by making it 4-0 at 5:19 of the second period. His goal came with a one-timer from the low slot off a backhand feed from Shane Pinto after a failed Bruins breakout.

On the opening goaltending changes, Linus Ullmark made 10 saves through two periods for Ottawa before serving as the backup in the third. Samuel Ersson then took over and made eight saves in his Ottawa debut following his acquisition in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 26.

Boston got a late response in the third, though Ottawa still controlled the outcome. James Hagens scored his second NHL goal at 3:30 with an unassisted effort, after Ersson misplayed the puck in the corner. Hagens sent a pass to the front of the net intended for Matthew Poitras, but the puck deflected in off a sliding Ersson to cut the deficit to 4-1.

The Bruins struggled with special teams, going 0-for-4 on the power play. Swayman finished with 20 saves for Boston, while Ottawa’s scoring was rounded out by Stützle, Batherson and Amadio alongside the late goal by Hagens.

With the win, the Senators improved to 2-0-0 in the early season stretch described in the game recap, while the Bruins dropped to 2-2-0. The result marked a strong start for Ottawa’s offense, anchored by Stützle’s fast, two-goal first period and supported by timely goals at key moments throughout the game.