Stutzle has two goals, assist, Senators ease past Bruins

Tim Stutzle had two first-period goals and an assist for the Ottawa Senators, who defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 at TD Garden in Boston on Monday.

“Just another great team effort,” Stutzle said. “All four lines, every single D, we played together as a group, fought for each other, so it was a big team win.”

Michael Amadio had a goal and assist, and Drake Batherson also scored for the Senators (2-0-0). Linus Ullmark made 10 saves through two periods but was removed to the start the third as a precaution after a collision with Bruins forward JJ Peterka in the crease late in the second period. 

“He kind of tweaked something, a little bit,” Ottawa coach Travis Green said. “So, precautionary. We just felt best it best if we bring him out, get evaluated again.”

Samuel Ersson, acquired in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on June 26, made eight saves in his Senators debut. 

James Hagens scored his second NHL goal, and Jeremy Swayman finished with 20 saves for the Bruins (2-2-0).

“We dropped the ball at home today,” Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov said. “Didn’t come ready to play today, we can see it from the first minute of the game. I don’t know why.”

The Bruins went 0-for-4 on the power play and are 0-for-10 through four games.

“Obviously a lot has to do with confidence,” Boston captain David Pastrnak said. “We just have to find it. We proved that we can be a good power play last year, so we just have to get back to it. I think mainly it’s the confidence.”

When asked why his team is having difficulty scoring on the man-advantage, Boston coach Marco Sturm said, “It’s a good question. I really don’t know. I can’t give you an answer right now -- honestly. We thought putting those guys back together because they had good chemistry, and we were a top 10 power play last year, (would) give them a little bit of comfort, but it kind of went the other way. 

“Honestly, I have no idea why. I really don’t. I’ve got to look at some clips. As a group, you have to ask yourself, too, the guys who were on the ice on the power play, and as a group we have to get better.” 

Stutzle scored twice in a span of 1:43 for a two-goal lead.

He put Ottawa ahead 1-0 with a short-handed goal at 7:39. Boston mismanaged the puck in the offensive zone, and Amadio intercepted a pass to quickly create a 2-on-1. Stutzle then received a backhand feed at the right hash marks and beat Swayman with a one-timer high to the stick side. 

“Right from the drop of the puck we came ready to play,” Amadio said. “It was a good 60 minutes from our team and we’ll get ready to go (at the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday).”

Stutzle then made it 2-0 at 9:22, three seconds after the same Boston power play expired. He stole a pass, broke in on a 2-on-1 and elected to shoot from the left face-off circle. Stutzle fanned on the attempt but regained control of the puck and beat Swayman to the short side. 

“Tough first period,” Pastrnak said. “Can’t give away two short-handed.”

Amadio said of the Senators, “We’re building our confidence on the kill. We’re doing a lot of good things and need to make sure we keep being aggressive and keep doing it.”

Batherson extended the lead to 3-0 at 1:06 of the second period. Stutzle forced a turnover in his own zone and sent a pass ahead to Batherson, who beat Swayman on a breakaway with the backhand.

“He made a really good read on the play, and Amadio made a great play on that first one, too,” Batherson said.

The Senators increased their lead to 4-0 on Amadio’s goal at 5:19. He scored with a one-timer in the low slot off Shane Pinto's no-look feed after a failed breakout by the Bruins.

“We played a lot together last year, so the chemistry’s there,” Amadio said of the members of his line. “We just need to make sure we’re playing on the right side of the puck and doing all the little things right.” 

Hagens cut it to 4-1 with an unassisted goal at 3:30 of the third period. 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.

“Tonight, in the third (Boston) came out and made a little push and scored a goal, but (Ersson) made some great saves for us, kept us in the game and it was a big win,” Stutzle said. 

NOTES: Stutzle (151) became the fourth German player to reach the 150-goal mark, joining Leon Draisaitl (437), Sturm (242) and Jochen Hecht (186). … Ullmark became the first Senators goaltender to win the team’s first two games of a season since Craig Anderson in 2016-17. … Ottawa forward Ridly Greig served the second of a two-game suspension for a roughing incident against the Carolina Hurricanes during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round last season. … Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy served the fourth of a six-game suspension for a slashing incident against the Buffalo Sabres during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round.