OTTAWA, ON — Leevi Merilainen made 24 saves in his Ottawa home debut and the Senators ended the Dallas Stars’ seven-game winning streak with a 3-2 victory Sunday night.
Merilainen was coming off his first NHL shutout Saturday in a 5-0 victory in Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old Finn’s five previous starts this season were on the road.
Josh Norris, Tim Stutzle and Matthew Highmore scored for Ottawa.
Evgenii Dadonov and Jason Robertson scored for Dallas. Casey DeSmith made 25 saves. The Stars also played Saturday, winning 2-1 in a shootout in Montreal.
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Ottawa Senators Left Wing Brady Tkachuk (7) and Dallas Stars Center Wyatt Johnston (53) before a face-off during first period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Dallas Stars Center Matt Duchene (95) and Ottawa Senators Right Wing Claude Giroux (28) battle on a face-off during first period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Drake Batherson (19), Center Josh Norris (9) and Left Wing Brady Tkachuk (7) battle Dallas Stars Defenceman Thomas Harley (55), Defenceman Mathew Dumba (3) and Center Mavrik Bourque (22) in front of Goalie Casey DeSmith (1) during first period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Ottawa Senators Goalie Leevi Merilainen (1) keeps eyes on the play during second period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Ottawa Senators Center Shane Pinto (12) battles Dallas Stars Left Wing Jamie Benn (14) during second period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Jake Sanderson (85) misses breaking up a pass during second period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Ottawa Senators Defenceman Nick Jensen (3) keeps eyes on the play during second period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Ottawa Senators Right Wing Adam Gaudette (81) applies pressure on the forecheck during third period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Dallas Stars Goalie Casey DeSmith (1) receives a snow shower during third period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
OTTAWA, ON – JANUARY 12: Dallas Stars Defenceman Miro Heiskanen (4) skates with the puck during third period National Hockey League action between the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators on January 12, 2025, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire)
