Minnesota Wild's Michael McCarron (47) checks Ottawa Senators' Nikolas Matinpalo (33) into the Ottawa Senators benches during first period NHL hockey action in Ottawa, on Saturday, April 4, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
April 04, 2026 - 12:55 PM
OTTAWA — Ryan Hartman scored twice to lead the Minnesota Wild to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon.
Jonas Brodin and Jake Middleton also scored, while goaltender Jesper Wallstedt made 33 saves for Minnesota (43-21-12).
Linus Ullmark stopped 19 shots for the Senators (39-27-10). Drake Batherson scored the lone goal.
Jake Sanderson returned to Ottawa's lineup after missing 13 games with an upper body injury.
Minnesota raced to a 3-0 lead to start the third period and extended it midway through the period on a great effort by Quinn Hughes.
Hughes kept the puck in at the line, spun and found Middleton on the opposite side. Middleton fired through traffic for his second goal of the season.
Batherson spoiled Wallstedt’s shutout attempt with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Batherson then left the game, but returned after a brief absence.
Ullmark bailed the Senators out on a couple odd-man rushes, including a save on Hughes early in the third period.
Hartman scored his second of the game when Mats Zuccharello found him at the top of the slot to beat Ullmark glove side and take a 3-0 lead.
Minnesota led 2-0 after the first period. Brodin was the recipient of a fortunate bounce.
He fired a shot and the rebound deflected off the skate of Ottawa defenceman Nikolas Matinpalo and past Ullmark.
The Wild took advantage of a Jordan Spence turnover at the blueline, which led to Zuccarello dishing a pass to Hartman for his 21st of the season.
Takeaways
TakeawaysSenators: The Senators gave up far too many odd-man rushes for Ullmark to clean up.
Wild: Minnesota did a great job keeping the Senators to the outside for much of the game.
Key Moment
Key MomentThe Wild capitalized on a Senators turnover late in the first that led to Hartman’s first goal of the game.
Up next
Up nextSenators: Host the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
Wild: Visit the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 4, 2026
News from © The Canadian Press, 2026