A Quantum of Solace for German NHL Star

"It was an important game and a tough defeat. It's brutal. I don't know what else to say": When Tim Stützle is so terse, it means the previous game hasn't left him unaffected.

March 12, 2026

From: sn

The German forward and his Ottawa Senators lost 2-3 to the Montreal Canadiens at the Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday night. This defeat sets Ottawa back against a direct competitor in the playoff race. Clearly, Stützle's numerous achievements offered only a small measure of consolation.

There was no doubt about the playoff atmosphere at the Canadian Tire Centre. This was partly due to the large number of visiting fans from Montreal, who were there in force to support their team in what was their last away game of the entire season (a mere 160 kilometers as the crow flies). Even the players traveled by train for this derby. On the other hand, both sides were fighting for crucial points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Senators wanted to close the gap, while the Canadiens aimed to extend their lead. Accordingly, the two rivals traded a total of 64 hits (33-31).

Ottawa celebrates a goal, but ultimately suffers a defeat. © APA / CHRIS TANOUYE/FREESTYLE PHOTO

A key figure of the evening was German Tim Stützle. The 24-year-old Senators star added two assists and, with his 100th career multi-point game, extended his personal scoring streak to 14 games (8-11-19), tying a career best. Stützle also surpassed the 70-point mark (64 games, 30-40-70) this season. He thus became the fourth player in Ottawa franchise history to reach the 70-point plateau in four consecutive years.

For the German, however, all these milestones achieved were likely only a small consolation, to borrow a phrase from a James Bond film title, given the subsequent course of the game. In the end, Montreal emerged victorious.

Keywords hockey NHL Tim Stützle