March 11, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle (18) scores against Montreal Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler (32) in the first period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images Ivan Demidov scored the go-ahead goal at 12:40 in the third period, giving the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 win over the Senators in Ottawa.
The Montreal forward knocked in the rebound after Linus Ullmark made a first-down save against Alex Newhook on the rush, but was unable to get a hold of the puck.
Demidov added an assist and leads NHL rookies with 51 points (14 goals, 37 assists).
Juraj Slafkovsky and Alexandre Texier also scored for the Canadiens, who have won three in a row and are playing for the second straight game after Tuesday’s 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jacob Fowler made 32 saves, including stopping the last 23 shots he faced, and made several saves in the final minutes on 6-on-5 play.
Montreal is tied for second place in the Atlantic Division with idle Tampa Bay.
Drake Batterson scored twice for the Senators, who have won their third straight game and are five points behind the idle Boston Bruins to earn the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Ullmark made 20 saves.
Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle (two assists) extended his point streak to 14 games (eight goals, 11 assists). It was his 100th NHL multi-point game.
Slafkovsky gave the Canadiens a 1-0 lead with a power play goal 1:16 into the first period. Nick Suzuki passed to Demidov in the slot and he tipped in the left post to Slafkovsky.
Slafkovsky (164 career points) passed Henri Richard for the most points in franchise history by a player before age 22.
Batherson scored the tying goal at 16:42 when a pass from Brady Tkachuk was deflected across the crease and sent just over the goal line during a power play.
Batherson gave the Senators a 2-1 lead at 18:41 when the puck sailed past Fowler in front.
The Canadiens tied the score 2-2 at 17:29 of the second period. Shortly after Fowler made two saves on an Ottawa breakaway, Montreal got inside the zone and the Texier went to the back of the net and his wraparound shot hit Ullmark’s right leg and crossed the goal line.
Ottawa outshot Montreal 34-23, including 13-5 in the final period.
–Field level media
