Senators Suffer Crushing 5-0 Defeat in Quebec City Showcase

The Ottawa Senators embarked on a pre-season road trip to Quebec City, but what was intended to be a special 'home' game in a neutral setting quickly turned into a sobering reality check. Facing off against their provincial rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, the Senators were utterly outmatched, suffering a dismal 5-0 shutout loss.

From the opening puck drop, it was clear this wasn't Ottawa's night.

The Canadiens dictated the pace, putting immense pressure on the Senators' netminders. Starting goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, who was slated to play the first half of the game, faced a barrage of shots, allowing three goals on 20 attempts. While some might argue pre-season isn't about the scoreboard, a 3-0 deficit after just 30 minutes certainly raises concerns.

Anton Forsberg took over between the pipes for the latter half, hoping to stem the bleeding, but the Canadiens' onslaught continued.

Forsberg conceded two more goals on 17 shots, bringing the final score to a lopsided 5-0. Collectively, the Senators' netminders faced 37 shots, allowing an average of a goal every 7.4 shots, which is far from ideal for any NHL team.

Offensively, the Senators were equally anemic. Their power play, a crucial component for success in the modern NHL, went a disappointing 0-for-5.

This inability to capitalize on man-advantage opportunities not only squandered chances but also sapped any potential momentum. In stark contrast, the Canadiens made the most of their power play, scoring twice on special teams to further widen the gap.

Montreal's scoring came from a variety of sources, showcasing their depth.

Cole Caufield, Sean Monahan (on the power play), Juraj Slafkovsky, Tanner Pearson, and Alex Newhook (also on the power play) all found the back of the net, contributing to Ottawa's shutout woes. The overall shot count of 37-25 in favor of Montreal painted a clear picture of the game's flow.

This crushing defeat marks the first of two 'home' games in Quebec City for the Senators.

While it's just pre-season, such a lopsided loss, especially against a divisional rival, serves as a stark reminder of the work ahead. The team will return to Ottawa for practice before having a chance at redemption, hosting the Canadiens at home in their next contest. Fans will undoubtedly hope for a much-improved performance on home ice.