With players healing, and some changes to the roster, the Ottawa Senators’ roster was starting to regain some strength. Zack Smith returned for his first game since suffering his facial injury, and Drake Batherson played his first NHL game, getting a chance on the top line with Matt Duchene and Mikkel Boedker.
The latter player was the story of the evening, as Batherson scored his first NHL, which also ended up being the game-winner. The Sens managed to hold onto their one-goal lead to defeat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1.