Tim Stützle is in great shape. © APA/getty / Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photo

German NHL star dazzles with a dream goal

The Ottawa Senators are on a roll, and it's closely linked to the name Tim Stützle. On Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena, the German forward helped his team to a 4-1 victory against the up-and-coming Columbus Blue Jackets and was named player of the game. His game-winning goal to make it 2-1 was a real highlight.

21 January 2026

By: nhl/sn

It was undoubtedly the highlight of the game: Ottawa's number 18 picked up the puck on the right wing at the baseline, skated to the blue line, noticeably increased his pace, swung in an arc to the left faceoff spot and nutmegged Elvis Merzlikins with a wrist shot (11th minute).

“We had been in the attacking zone for a long time. They were getting tired, we were moving well, so I relied on my instinct,” Stützle described his dream goal.

For the Olympic player, it was his 22nd goal of the season and his third in his last four games. With the Blue Jackets' net wide open late in the game, Stützle skated in alone on goal with Brady Tkachuk, but deliberately refrained from scoring his second goal of the night, instead passing the puck across to his friend, who calmly slotted it home for the final score of 4-1 (57th minute). A selfless act that underscores Stützle's status as a team player.